14 February 2006
Gorbachev generally likes Putin''s performance
There are both positive and negative factors to President Vladimir Putin, Former Soviet president MikhailGorbachev said, saying he attempts to be objective in his views.
"I view his performance critically and with an understanding of the problems. I do not admire him feverishly, nor am I euphoric. I am making a political analysis. Things done during the first term of his office can be considered historic: he brought an end to chaos, instability and, possibly, the disintegration of the country," Gorbachev told a Monday press conference in Moscow.
However, "a guided democracy is spoken of and I think certain elements of this have emerged," he said.
He criticized the abolition of direct elections for gubernatorial posts.
"There were certain problems with some governors who tried to retain office by non-democratic methods," he admitted.
Putin "is trying to contain the radically liberal attitude to administration and is probably encountering the lack of professionalism in the government," he sad.
"Putin sometimes, or even frequently, applies authoritarian methods, but this is not authoritarianism. There would not be a regime a la Putin. People support Putin because they see that he wishes his country and fellow citizens well," he said.
"In general, positive factors prevail in his performance," Gorbachev said.
Interfax, February 13, 2006
