The world’s strongman rulers often made a weak impression in the early stages of the coronavirus crisis. But I fear they will turn it to their advantage in the long run.
International politics was suffering from a pre-existing condition when COVID-19 hit. Before coronavirus, the political world was already succumbing to a strongman virus.
In 2018, China abolished presidential term limits, making it possible for Xi Jinping to rule for life. This year, Russia announced that it, too, is planning constitutional changes that would allow Vladimir Putin to stay in power until 2036 — giving him a longer period in office than Stalin.
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Financial Times
Gideon Rachman is chief foreign affairs columnist for the Financial Times. His particular interests include American foreign policy, the European Union and globalisation.
