Abdication tends to be an all-or-nothing matter. As in so much else, Vladimir Putin makes his own rules, and yesterday’s address was a menu for an a la carte abdication, relinquishing the terrible responsibility of handling the pandemic, but retaining all the perks of power.
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Mark Galeotti: Putin abdicates on coronavirus crisis
Russian President Vladimir Putin gives a speech during an awards ceremony for those who led the construction of the 19 kilometres (12 miles) road and rail Crimean Bridge over the Kerch Strait - that links mainland Russia to Moscow-annexed Crimea - in Sevastopol, Crimea, on March 18, 2020. (Photo by Alexander NEMENOV / various sources / AFP)
