Kremlin allies have called for no mention of Vladimir Putin Russias president and instead begin to address him as the “ruler” of the nation.
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR) has suggested using Pravitel, a Russian title, because it is more “befitting Putin’s status and role.”
The right-wing party has only 22 seats in the 450-seat Russian parliament but has close ties to the Kremlin and is often used by the government to gauge public support for its more radical ideas.
Russian media quoted the LDPR as saying, “The term ‘president’… was first used in the late 1700s in the United States and much later around the world. In our country this is usually a new word by historical standards’ Telegraph messages†
The anti-West sentiment follows the national mood in Russia, which is being forced by the Kremlin to counter sanctions imposed on the West since the invasion of Ukraine.
Vladimir Zhirinovsky, the leader of the LDPR, died in April.
An arch-nationalist, he was close to Putin, who attended his funeral at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow.
Zhirinovsky not only supported the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine, but also wanted Russia to recapture northern Kazakhstan.
The title of ‘pravitel’ or ‘ruler’ has a deep history in Russia.
The Romanov family ruled the nation as tsars, with near-total power from 1613 to 1917.
Tsar may have a similar meaning to Pravitel, but it is more commonly known as ’emperor’.
By contrast, “president,” with its connotation of democracy, did not come into use in Russia until the end of the Soviet Union, when Mikhail Gorbachev was briefly named President of the USSR.
Previously, Soviet leaders were chairman or general secretary of the Communist Party.
Putin’s critics have said he already has full power in Russia and rules as an autocratic czar.
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