The entire "ecosystem" of Russian leadership is built around a strongman. If Putin dies, the next one win based on the criteria that made Putin the leader. So there are two options: a big fucking fight, or someone roughly as bad.

And if it's option 2, their level of shittyness depends mostly on how effective Putin was in defenestrating his rivals.

[–] Jumpingspiderman@lemmy.world 14 points 5 days ago

One thing about regimes like Putin's and Trump's is that they actively select against clever and competent people. Because clever and competent people are a threat to Dear Leader's power.

[–] Maxxie@lemmy.blahaj.zone 4 points 4 days ago

It will be a big fucking fight, simply because that same ecosystem wasn't built with power transition in mind. There's no successor, no committee strong enough to fallback to, no independent power brokers.

The result is pretty much a coin toss, but I wouldn't hold my breath for a better outcome.

[–] Valmond@lemmy.world 1 points 4 days ago

Well isn't he surrounded by yes men like all "strong men" are? If you don't stroke putins ego all day every day you go out a window for real.