What happens when Putin is gone?

[Johnw1104]

WolfpackN64 said:

Johnw1104 said:
At this point I just assume Russia has reverted to its USSR days where it largely just had one leader for long stretches a new one would step in (Khrushchev->Brezhnev->Gorbachev for instance).

Of course, I haven't personally noticed anyone with the kind of personal magnetism and credentials in Russia that Putin has. Putin just seems like he was designed by nature to Dictate.

Difference is Russia isn't the same as the USSR. It's not like United Russia will let the CPRF regain power (and they have cheated at the elections multiple times to do so, just like Boris Yeltsin did). Probably Putin wil groom someone to become his succesor and that person will probably be elected to office.

Yeah I didn't mean to suggest the two were really comparable in most ways, merely in that they're quickly graitating towards having power largely wielded by a single individual who eventually passes it on to a successor. Putin should not technically hold anywhere near the influence he does, but he's essentially established himself via friends occupying most of the important positions. 

I really do wonder if anyone could replace him, though... It's possible that when he's gone they'll revert to something more akin to what they had in the early 2000's.