A wonderful annual feature from Kommersant. Brown-Nosing to Power 2009 This year I voted for
“To me, Putin carries even more weight than (Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. — Vlast), he is the number one figure on the face of the earth. I believe he is the cornerstone of all the planet’s problems.” Actor Mikhail Boyarsky October 12, in an interview with Vlast. for “The only thing Putin lacks is being Chechen. He has every other good quality.” Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov October 7, after horse races at the Gudermes racetrack. and for “Vladimir Vladimirovich’s answers serve as a kind of guidepost for us and give meaning to our understanding of many problems, because we know perfectly well that what distinguishes our leader is his deep immersion in every subject.” State Duma deputy Irina Yarovaya December 4, in an interview with RIA Novosti. The last one is out of old loyalty. United Russia State Duma deputy Irina Yarovaya was, until quite recently, in the Yabloko party with me (a liberal Russian political party). She used to passionately denounce the regime and, to rounds of applause, declare that she would never betray herself by joining United Russia.