World Jewish News

Putin, catching Kremlin-watchers on the hop, picked Mikhail Fradkov, 53, whose father is Jewish, to succeed Mikhail Kasyanov, wh

Russian President Vladimir Putin made a surprise choice for prime minister on Monday, picking a bureaucrat with credentials to appeal to the powerful law and order lobby while reassuring Western investors. Putin, catching Kremlin-watchers on the hop, picked Mikhail Fradkov, 53, whose father is Jewish, to succeed Mikhail Kasyanov, whom he sacked last week.
Fradkov's Jewish ancestry was not mentioned Monday in media reports. Meretz MK Roman Bronfman, who follows Russian politics, said that the decision to appoint Fradkov was a brilliant political decision. "This move was intended to silence those who blame Putin of anti-Semitic persecution of oligarchs of Jewish origin," Bronfman said Monday.
But Russia's Chief Rabbi Berl Lazar believes that Fradkov's candidacy will not influence public opinion in Russian. "Today, among the people, the issue of who is Jewish and who is not - is no longer an issue. At the elections for the Duma some tried to stand against some of the candidates by saying they were Jews, but that did not prevent them from winning," Lazar said.
Rabbi Lazar, who has met Fradkov in the past, says that he has a positive attitude to Judaism and that he supports the development of the Jewish community in Russia.
Putin said Fradkov, Russia's envoy to the European Union and a former trade minister, had "strong experience in fighting corruption", adding that the job required a top professional with wide-ranging government experience.
Fradkov's mixed background makes him an acceptable figure for both Kremlin hardliners, many of whom have strong security backgrounds and prefer greater state control, and economic reformers, who want to lure foreign investment, analysts said.
"Fradkov has something of an image of belonging to the security lobby because he directed the tax police," said political analyst Igor Bunin.
"At the same time, he is a man who will not spook Western investors, because he is a good negotiator who has good external relations."
By plumping for someone who belongs to neither Kremlin power bloc, Putin will be able to count on a prime minister who is loyal - leaving him in an even stronger position when he is re-elected for a second term on March 14.
Putin's parliamentary allies, with their huge majority in the State Duma (lower house), made his appointment a certainty by saying they would support Fradkov's nomination on March 5.
Analysts expected Fradkov to announce his government within days of the Duma's endorsement. By the time election day comes round, Putin will have in place a government ready to announce its economic program.
Many commentators expected Fradkov to keep key figures from the Kasyanov team. But a senior lawmaker suggested that Putin might use Fradkov to cut the number of ministries.
Putin's handling of the government question has underscored his strong grip on power ahead of his re-election. By creating, then solving, a government crisis he has seized headlines and diverted attention away from rival contenders.