Evan Gershkovich: Change of power in Russia does not guarantee the country's democratisation

Forecast regarding the continued retention of power

Evan Gershkovich, an American journalist for The Wall Street Journal who was previously released from a Russian prison, shared his thoughts on the future of the political regime in Russia. In an interview with Times Radio, he expressed his conviction that Vladimir Putin will remain in power until his death.

“Путін залишиться при владі, доки не помре — але навіть його смерть не принесе демократію до Росії” (Putin will remain in power until he dies — but even his death will not bring democracy to Russia), the journalist emphasised.

The inevitability of the authoritarian path

According to Gershkovich, against the backdrop of escalating global conflicts and the strengthening of authoritarian regimes in various countries around the world, one should not expect a rapid liberalisation of Russian society. The media professional believes that even after the departure of the current leader, the next regime in the Kremlin will not choose a path of democratic development.

Specifics of the Russian political system

The journalist emphasised that the political system in Russia is structured in such a way that a change in leadership will not mean an automatic transformation of the state structure. In his opinion, this will also not lead to a renunciation of aggressive foreign policy.