Photo: Vyacheslav Prokofiev/TASS
The Russian government is rapidly turning into a gerontocracy, with decisions being made by elderly loyalists instead of young and professional leaders. This was reported by the UK Defence Intelligence Agency in its report on 19 May, citing analyses of political processes in Russia.
“Instead of the young and talented, Putin chooses the old and loyal, who do not want to change anything in the country,” British analysts say.
The Kremlin is aging faster than the country
Today, most of the key figures in the Kremlin, including Vladimir Putin himself (72 years old), have exceeded the average life expectancy for men in Russia, which was 68 years in 2023.
“Government appointments are based on patronage and loyalty to Putin, not competence. This is causing frustration among ambitious young people,” the report says.
Stability through loyalty
According to the British, Putin deliberately keeps close allies close to him in order to maintain the stability of the regime andhis own power.
However, analysts believe this reduces the effectiveness of decisions and leads to stagnation:
“Putin’s entourage not only shares his authoritarian vision, but also has personal benefits from preserving the system – access to resources, influence and impunity.”
Zeroing in on power
In 2020, the Kremlin carried out a constitutional reform that gave Putin the opportunity to run for president twice more – in 2024 and 2030. The all-Russian vote was held under strict control, without political competition.
Gerontocracy is a sign of an exhausted model of power. It demonstrates a fear of change and shows Putin’s lack of trust in the younger generation. Such governance is not about development, but about the survival of the system.
