are Boris Yeltsins days left in power numbered?
Background ¦ Your reaction The Background: It looks like the Russian Parliament has had enough of Boris Yeltsin’s erratic behaviour. As the unpredictable president dismissed the third prime minister in little more than a year, parliament’s lower house, the Duma, began debating Mr Yeltsin’s impeachment. The Communist speaker of the Duma said the president’s latest move increased the chances of a successful impeachment vote. But others think that Yeltsin’s actions were justified. They say Mr Primakov will not be missed, having done little to rectify Russia’s failing economy. There are also concerns about how this crisis might affect Russia’s vital role in formulating any future peace agreement on Kosovo. Would Russia be better off without him? Mr Yeltsin’s deteriorating health, diplomatic gaffes and recent flippant remark about “sending a missile” to the US, coupled with an economy which has seen the rouble lose 75% of its value over the past year does not bode well for Russia’s future.
