Tom Balmforth
RussiaProfile.org

Federation Council speaker Sergei Mironov's criticism of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's budget plans developed into a full-blown scandal last week, with United Russia demanding his resignation - and then Putin appearing to reprimand the ruling party.

The Communist Party dismissed the barbs between United Russia and Mironov, the leader of the Just Russia party, as staged. But is it all pantomime, or are things really heating up before March's regional elections?

In a Channel One interview broadcast on Feb. 1, Sergei Mironov said:
"In terms of foreign policy and most domestic policies, our party supports [Vladimir Putin]. However, we categorically oppose the budget plan that Vladimir Putin has introduced...We do not agree with the anti-crisis measures suggested by [him]." Mironov also told talk show host Vladimir Pozner on Monday evening that United Russia - the majority party that Putin chairs - is "ideologically unacceptable and dubiously conservative."

Mironov's direct criticism of Putin was a rarity, as the two are considered close allies.
Vyacheslav Volodin, the secretary of United Russia's ruling council, took the opportunity for a bit of Soviet-style sycophancy at Mironov's expense: Mironov's remarks display "dishonesty and inconsistency in regard to Vladimir Putin - a person who has done so much for the country and its people," Volodin said.

Andrei Vorobyov, who heads United Russia's central executive committee, chipped in, saying St. Petersburg's legislative assembly, which Mironov represents in the Federation Council, should recall him.

Although Mironov's criticism was fairly mild, "there are certain rules in Russian politics," said Alexei Makarkin, an analyst at the Centre for Political Technologies. "If someone [helps] your career - installing you as the Federation Council speaker, for instance - and you then distance yourself from him when he is in a tough position - say, as prime minister during an economic crisis - well that runs against those principles."

Although Putin's ratings remain high, indications of discontent towards him surfaced when about 10,000 residents of Kaliningrad took to the streets on Jan. 30, waving anti-Putin and anti-United Russia banners.

Later in the week, Putin appeared to respond to the protests against United Russia, warning party members that they must try harder. 

"You cannot turn into a ‘Mr. Promises,'" Putin told United Russia leaderson Friday, "[who] pulls the wool over people's eyes...and then goes about solving his own personal problems."

Alexei Mukhin, director of the Moscow-based Center for Political Information, argued it was a real conflict connected to the regional elections, but really about jockeying for position with United Russia - not disloyaty.

"Ever since Mironov was made leader of the opposition, on paper he has not supported Putin in everything. But this is only on paper. I am positive that de facto Mironov remains loyal to Putin," said Mukhin.