Boston Globe: RUSSIA: Putin's young 'brownshirts' - by Cathy Young
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RUSSIA: Putin's young 'brownshirts' - by Cathy Young
Nashi was launched in the spring of 2005, largely in reaction to the "Orange Revolution" in Ukraine in 2004, where young adults played a key role in the massive street protests, sit-ins, and strikes that helped pro-Western presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko prevail in an election dispute. With Nashi and several smaller pro-Kremlin youth groups, the Putin regime is hoping not only to co-opt political activism among the younger generation but to use it as a club against its enemies.
And make no mistake: While ostensibly independent, Nashi is a Kremlin creation. Officially, its lavish funding comes from pro-government business owners; it is widely reported that the group also receives direct subsidies from the Kremlin. Nashi activists land coveted jobs and internships in government agencies as well as state-owned oil and gas corporations. Putin's top advisers have met frequently with the group's leaders.
Nashi claims to be over 100,000 strong; according to some reports, it has a core of 10,000 activists ages 17 to 25, with another 200,000 or so who regularly attend its events. At the core of Nashi's credo is personal loyalty to Putin, admired as the strongman who saved Russia from weakness and decline -- and venomous hate toward the opposition and its leaders, such as chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov.
Note EU-Digest: The US (Boston Globe) should not get too critical of Mr. Putin - the US after all also have their "young Republicans" and "young Democrats", who also are very motivated in their support for "their heroes" in each party. They too are getting rewarded with "special favors" by their constituency. Lets give Mr. Putin at least the credit he deserves for holding the Russian Federation together and creating a very pro-business society.
