Anti-corruption campaign in Russia

The anti-corruption campaign in Russia has been implemented for several years already; however, the situation still resembles the many-headed Hydra: new heads grow immediately after the law enforcement cuts away a head. It lays reasonable grounds to assume that the fight with corruption is a way of inside competition between the elites in Russia. Although, one needs to admit that none of the power levels in the country is guaranteed from a hard look by law enforcers. Several governors and mayors of big cities arrested, a criminal suit against acting deputy economic development minister, dozens of adjudications for financial fraud in bankrupt banks show that the government intends to demonstrate to the public practical results in combating corruption. However, there is no single unambiguous attitude to this among the public. Many “grassroot” activists believe that the measures taken are not enough, while the decision-making system in the government is still subject to corruption, despite numerous sentences. No doubt, the issue will be of top priority on the agenda at least until the key sign of the current economic crisis, the drop in income, is overcome. On this background, any facts of corruption in the elites cause a strong response in the public and need urgent reaction from the government.