Putin to Stay on Top

        Mad Vlad is at it again.  He's going to change the"constitution" to allow him to be the ruler in charge for maybe another 12 years or so.  That would make him the longest serving leader of the "country" since Peter the Great's 43 years at the top.  Vladimir wants to be known as the great stabilizer-the individual who ushered Russya into the pantheon of great countries.   He wants to be right up there with France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, and that other one.   His advisors wish to continue the ride on his flapping coattails.  Why not?  The country's elites are enjoying unprecedented wealth and happiness; not so much the rest of the population. 
       How are things in the eastern Ice Box, aka Siberia?   Cold.  Ok.  But what of economic success?  Not so much.   The isolation from Moskava continues to plague the eastern seaboard and everything in between.  Maybe the Chinese would have offered some relief by sending some workers there to help the local economy, but now with the coronavirus restricting all movement within its borders, the Chinese are forced to stay home, indefinitely.
       Vlad thinks now is the time to strike a deal with the parliament he controls.   Attention has been diverted by the virus and the Saudis are creating difficulties in the oil market.  MBS has stifled a coup by arresting some family members, at least temporarily, and continues his efforts to restrict Russya's oil output.  The price of oil has plummeted because of lack of demand.  Airlines have grounded flights due to lack of passenger demand.  The US market remains the bright spot around the world, but that will change sooner than later.  So Vlad wants not necessarily more power, he just wants to hold on to future power, until he's too senile to sign any documents or thwart a palace coup. 
      Pity the poor citizen, trying to survive another dictator in the Kremlin.