Russian politics and the prospects of Kremlin succession

Analysis of the Russian political landscape highlights the continuity of authoritarianism under Vladimir Putin and the potential for his successor to emerge from the 'giebnia', a slang term for the security services and siloviki. The current administration is compared to the late Brezhnev era, characterized by stagnation and involvement in the war against Ukraine.

Discussions regarding succession remain speculative, as the public has no influence over the selection process. Potential candidates identified in media reports include figures such as Igor Sechin, Alexei Dyumin, Nikolai Patrushev, Viktor Zolotov, Sergei Naryshkin, and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. Experts suggest that the systemic structures established by Putin are likely to persist regardless of the individual who formally takes power.