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The decline of Russia's oligarchs The decline of Russia's oligarchs
(1 day later)
By James Rodgers Analysis, BBC News PM Putin forced Mr Deripaska to reopen an aluminium plant in June By James Rodgers Analysis, BBC News PM Putin humiliated Mr Deripaska in front of the cameras
If you look up the word "oligarch" in the dictionary, you will find it means a member of a small group holding power in a state.If you look up the word "oligarch" in the dictionary, you will find it means a member of a small group holding power in a state.
Today, though, it usually refers to the super-rich Russians who made their fortunes in the sometimes barbaric business world of their country in the 1990s.Today, though, it usually refers to the super-rich Russians who made their fortunes in the sometimes barbaric business world of their country in the 1990s.
In some cases, they sought to convert their new financial clout into political influence.In some cases, they sought to convert their new financial clout into political influence.
They grew even richer as oil prices and the Moscow stock markets soared in the boom years which followed.They grew even richer as oil prices and the Moscow stock markets soared in the boom years which followed.
Then, 12 months ago, as the global financial crisis reached Russia, the oligarchs got a shock.Then, 12 months ago, as the global financial crisis reached Russia, the oligarchs got a shock.
"They have taken the biggest hit because they had the most to lose," says Chris Weafer, chief strategist at Uralsib, a banking and investment company based in Moscow."They have taken the biggest hit because they had the most to lose," says Chris Weafer, chief strategist at Uralsib, a banking and investment company based in Moscow.
"The stock market in the second half of last year fell almost 75%, and we've seen that reflected in the Forbes list of billionaires et cetera," Mr Weafer says."The stock market in the second half of last year fell almost 75%, and we've seen that reflected in the Forbes list of billionaires et cetera," Mr Weafer says.
"Just looking at the wealth of these individuals, they've taken a huge hit - hundreds of billions of dollars have been wiped from the value they had in the middle of 2008.""Just looking at the wealth of these individuals, they've taken a huge hit - hundreds of billions of dollars have been wiped from the value they had in the middle of 2008."
There is no formal oligarchs' club or association - and the way individuals have fared has varied depending on where their money was invested.There is no formal oligarchs' club or association - and the way individuals have fared has varied depending on where their money was invested.
But any list of wealthy Russian businessmen would be likely to include Roman Abramovich - most famous outside Russia as owner of Chelsea football club - aluminium magnate Oleg Deripaska and Boris Berezovsky, who has become an implacable opponent of the current Russian leadership. He now lives in Britain.But any list of wealthy Russian businessmen would be likely to include Roman Abramovich - most famous outside Russia as owner of Chelsea football club - aluminium magnate Oleg Deripaska and Boris Berezovsky, who has become an implacable opponent of the current Russian leadership. He now lives in Britain.
Public humiliationPublic humiliation
As the crisis hit home, some of Russia's richest ran into difficulties.As the crisis hit home, some of Russia's richest ran into difficulties.
Today it's very, very clear who's calling the shots, and it's not the oligarchs Chris WeaferChief strategist, Uralsib Can oligarchs survive the slump? Video: Putin humiliates oligarchToday it's very, very clear who's calling the shots, and it's not the oligarchs Chris WeaferChief strategist, Uralsib Can oligarchs survive the slump? Video: Putin humiliates oligarch
In June, Mr Deripaska found himself in a piece of political theatre on Russia's biggest stage: the national television news.In June, Mr Deripaska found himself in a piece of political theatre on Russia's biggest stage: the national television news.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin arrived in the northern Russian town of Pikalyevo to deliver a public reprimand to Mr Deripaska and others with a stake in the town's main factory. Workers had not been getting their wages.Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin arrived in the northern Russian town of Pikalyevo to deliver a public reprimand to Mr Deripaska and others with a stake in the town's main factory. Workers had not been getting their wages.
Viewers saw Mr Putin call Mr Deripaska forward. He ordered him to sign an agreement to solve the problem.Viewers saw Mr Putin call Mr Deripaska forward. He ordered him to sign an agreement to solve the problem.
It looked like a teacher telling off a pupil - especially when Mr Putin asked for his pen back.It looked like a teacher telling off a pupil - especially when Mr Putin asked for his pen back.
"It's a very Russian approach. Nobody in Russia was surprised," says Zoya Trunova, an editor at the BBC's Russian Service."It's a very Russian approach. Nobody in Russia was surprised," says Zoya Trunova, an editor at the BBC's Russian Service.
"Everyone thought, 'Well, that's a fair thing to do. What else would the prime minister be doing?' And then Deripaska looked very intimidated by that, but then he would do what he was told, but obviously the state feels that oligarchs are almost their own team of people so they can tell them what to do.""Everyone thought, 'Well, that's a fair thing to do. What else would the prime minister be doing?' And then Deripaska looked very intimidated by that, but then he would do what he was told, but obviously the state feels that oligarchs are almost their own team of people so they can tell them what to do."
This shift in power did not just come with the economic crisis. Vladimir Putin seems to have decided, as soon as he first rose to political prominence ten years ago, to rein in the oligarchs.This shift in power did not just come with the economic crisis. Vladimir Putin seems to have decided, as soon as he first rose to political prominence ten years ago, to rein in the oligarchs.
"He's made it very clear that he expects the oligarchs to look after the workers, to help the government in terms of the stimulus package," says Chris Weafer. "And today I think it's very, very clear who's calling the shots, and it's not the oligarchs.""He's made it very clear that he expects the oligarchs to look after the workers, to help the government in terms of the stimulus package," says Chris Weafer. "And today I think it's very, very clear who's calling the shots, and it's not the oligarchs."
Staging a comebackStaging a comeback
The oligarchs' global fame - or notoriety - has been built on tales of extravagance.The oligarchs' global fame - or notoriety - has been built on tales of extravagance.
Dissident billionaire Boris Berezovsky lives in LondonDissident billionaire Boris Berezovsky lives in London
Stewart Lansley - a co-author of the book, Londongrad, about their lives in the British capital - says their reduced spending actually fuelled the downturn in the luxury goods market in Britain. Now, he says, they're returning.Stewart Lansley - a co-author of the book, Londongrad, about their lives in the British capital - says their reduced spending actually fuelled the downturn in the luxury goods market in Britain. Now, he says, they're returning.
"What's happened in the last couple of months is that the Russians have been creeping back. There's evidence already that they've started looking for bargains in a number of areas, they've been reappearing in jewellery shops, they've been reappearing buying Rolls Royces and top end cars.""What's happened in the last couple of months is that the Russians have been creeping back. There's evidence already that they've started looking for bargains in a number of areas, they've been reappearing in jewellery shops, they've been reappearing buying Rolls Royces and top end cars."
The oligarchs have usually excelled at reading the Russian political situation. Jonathan Eyal, from the Royal United Services Institute in London, agrees that the government currently has a political advantage - but, he argues, that does not mean that the oligarchs are finished.The oligarchs have usually excelled at reading the Russian political situation. Jonathan Eyal, from the Royal United Services Institute in London, agrees that the government currently has a political advantage - but, he argues, that does not mean that the oligarchs are finished.
"The oligarchs have many opportunities of influencing Russian political life, partly because Russian political life is itself now quite brittle," Mr Eyal says."The oligarchs have many opportunities of influencing Russian political life, partly because Russian political life is itself now quite brittle," Mr Eyal says.
"We have a double-headed leadership - on the one hand, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, on the other hand President Medvedev - and in that kind of a structure the oligarchs will always find a weak point, or will always be able to divide and rule.""We have a double-headed leadership - on the one hand, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, on the other hand President Medvedev - and in that kind of a structure the oligarchs will always find a weak point, or will always be able to divide and rule."
The dictionary definition of oligarch doesn't refer to wealth. Russia's oligarchs have definitely lost part of theirs, and, as a result, they may also lose some of the "power they hold in the state".The dictionary definition of oligarch doesn't refer to wealth. Russia's oligarchs have definitely lost part of theirs, and, as a result, they may also lose some of the "power they hold in the state".
Given their proven ability to survive and prosper in the toughest of times, they are not about to disappear.Given their proven ability to survive and prosper in the toughest of times, they are not about to disappear.
You can hear James Rodgers' piece on the BBC World Service Analysis programme on Monday 31 August.You can hear James Rodgers' piece on the BBC World Service Analysis programme on Monday 31 August.