Putin’s heir apparent wows in Davos

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One of the more interesting stories to come out of the Davos gnosh-fest this year was the charm offensive put on by Russia—and the fawning reception it met with from the world’s business leaders. In years past, Putin’s capos have avoided the cold mountain retreat, perhaps because the weather wasn’t sufficiently different from that in Moscow.  This year, however, a high-powered delegation attended, headed by a man whose name you’ll be hearing more and more from now on: Dmitri Medvedev.

By most accounts, the suave young first deputy prime minister and Gazprom chairman did a fine job of defending Russia’s economic record. He pledged his country’s support for democracy (albeit “without unnecessary supplemental definitions”) and argued that the ex-superpower is behaving responsibly on the world stage. Medvedev’s remarks were filled with characteristic Russian warmth; as he put it, “we are not trying to push anyone to love Russia, but we will not allow anyone to hurt Russia.” The charismatic Medvedev seemed successful in deflecting media attention, at least for now, from the dominant story lines of growing authoritarianism in the country and its use of energy supplies as a diplomatic weapon.

Medvedev’s appearance was interesting for another reason: Many have him pegged as Putin’s likely successor in 2008. To see who his competition is, and what the stakes are for Russia and the world, take a look at this week’s List. In a web exclusive for FP, Moscow-based journalist Julian Evans gives a run-down of the leading candidates.