反プーチンデモ ロシアに「法の支配」が必要だ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 27, 2011)
Putin must commit fully to rule of law in Russia
反プーチンデモ　ロシアに「法の支配」が必要だ（12月26日付・読売社説）

Mass rallies to protest the high-handed political tactics of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin illustrate public discontent with his long-standing grip on power.
　ロシアのプーチン首相の強権的な政治手法に反発する大規模なデモは、長期執権への不満の表れだろう。

It can be said that the contradictions plaguing Russia have come to the fore 20 years after the collapse of the former Soviet Union.
　ソ連の解体から２０年、ロシアが今日、抱える矛盾が露呈したと言える。

Demonstrations began immediately after an election for the State Duma earlier this month, as protesters claimed there had been vote-rigging and called for the election to be held again. An image of alleged vote-rigging was posted on the Internet, igniting the rallies.
　デモは、１２月の下院選直後、選挙に不正があったとしてやり直しを求める形で始まった。不正工作の証拠という映像が、インターネットで流され、火がついた。

About 30,000 people gathered in Moscow alone Saturday, according to Russia's Interior Ministry. It was the biggest antigovernment rally of Putin's tenure, surpassing the one held Dec. 10. In addition to decrying the alleged election irregularities, the protesters openly called for an end to Putin's rule, shouting, "Russia without Putin."
　２４日は、モスクワだけで約３万人（内務省発表）が集まり、プーチン時代では１０日を上回る大規模な反政府集会となった。選挙不正を批判するだけでなく、「プーチンなきロシアを」と、退陣を求める声が公然とあがった。

During the 12 years of his grip on power as president and prime minister, Russian politics became relatively stable and its economy grew remarkably thanks to high crude oil prices.
　プーチン氏が大統領、首相として実権を握った１２年間で、政治はひとまず安定し、原油高の追い風を受け経済成長も遂げた。

The recent series of rallies, however, indicates the people's mounting dissatisfaction with Putin, who is aiming to prolong his rule by running in the presidential election next March.
　だが、相次ぐデモは、来年３月の大統領選出馬で長期執権をもくろむプーチン氏への不満の高まりをうかがわせるものだ。

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Anger against corruption

It is noteworthy that many participants in the anti-Putin protests were middle-class and intellectual people whose situations improved due to the economic growth.
　反プーチン集会の参加者に、経済成長で台頭した中間層やインテリが多かった点が注目される。

They may be prompted by their anger toward the little progress made in modernizing Russian politics. Their indignation is largely targeted at the rampant corruption in the bureaucratic machine, which has collusive ties with the ruling party.
　背景には、一向に近代化しない政治への怒りがあるのだろう。与党と癒着した官僚組織に、汚職が蔓延(まんえん)していることが大きい。

The government made full use of TV media as a publicity tool to lead the campaign in favor of the ruling United Russia party. Lack of impartiality, a prerequisite for elections, spurred criticism of the administration.
　政権は下院選で、与党に有利になるよう、テレビを宣伝道具として駆使した。選挙の前提となる「公正さ」を欠いたことが、政権批判に拍車をかけた。

Putin has refused demands to hold a new election. He is trying to get out of his present difficulties by pledging to take measures to prevent irregularities in the presidential election.
　プーチン首相は、下院選のやり直しを拒否している。大統領選では不正防止策を講じると約束することで、切り抜ける構えだ。

As no powerful candidate has emerged from the opposition camp, Putin's strategy for returning to the Kremlin remains unshaken.
　野党側に有力候補者がいないため、プーチン首相の大統領返り咲き戦略は揺らいではいない。

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Legal compliance vital

It is natural, however, that those in power must also comply with rules. Establishment of the full rule of law has been pending since the collapse of the former Soviet Union. Putin needs to face seriously the problems raised by the series of rallies and commit himself completely to the rule of law.
　だが、権力者にもルール順守が求められるのは当然だ。「法の支配」の確立は、ソ連崩壊以来の重要な課題だ。首相は、デモが提起した問題を重く受け止め、法治主義を徹底する必要があろう。

Putin faces challenges on the diplomatic front, too.
　プーチン首相は、対外政策でも課題に直面している。

He has put forth the idea of creating an "Eurasian Union" aimed at the economic integration of former Soviet republics. But these states have been deepening their relations with European countries and the United States, and remain strongly wary of Russia's attempt to take leadership.
　首相は、旧ソ連諸国の経済統合を図る「ユーラシア同盟」構想を提唱しているが、旧ソ連諸国は、欧米との関係を深めており、主導権を握ろうとするロシアへの警戒感が根強い。

After 18 years of negotiations, Russia will become an official member of the World Trade Organization next year. If it is to earnestly seek capital investment from the West, Moscow will be strongly urged to follow WTO rules and international business practices.
　また、１８年もの交渉の末、世界貿易機関（ＷＴＯ）へ、ロシアは来年正式加盟することになった。ロシアが西側の資本呼び込みを本気で図るつもりなら今後、ＷＴＯルールや国際的商慣行を順守することが強く求められよう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 26, 2011)
（2011年12月26日01時17分 読売新聞）