The Rich Wins Again

After putting Yukos in prison for the past 18 months on fraud charges, Putin has decided to show some leniency on other oligarchs (wealthy Russian entrepreneurs who wants commanding heights through the loans for shares privatization schemes during the 90's). Putin stated that new competition laws will protect them from "arbitrary administration and pressure from monopolies and should guarantee their property rights"

Why the change of mind all of a sudden, Putin believes that “The state must guarantee transparent and dependable business conditions. Businesses have many reasons to criticize the fiscal organs and the Government will take them into consideration.”

The transitional element is still going on and privatization is still major issue in Russia. Now, Putin is just making it more manageable to privatize businesses.