Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Moscow, the burgeoning middle class endured a high cost of living, but enjoyed unpreced-
ented employment opportunities and a dizzying array of culinary, cultural and consumer
choices.
A New Era
Since the time when the mayor of Moscow became a full-time bureaucratic job, rather than
an honorary aristocratic title, no one has held the position longer than Yury Luzhkov. And
certainly no one was more influential in shaping postcommunist Moscow than the 'mayor in
the cap'. During Luzhkov's 18-year run, Moscow realised its claim of being a global centre
of power and wealth. The skyline was transformed, the economy boomed and international
culture thrived. In the tradition of urban political bosses, Luzhkov provided plenty of bread
and circuses, bluster and cronyism.
In 2010 long-simmering tension between the Kremlin and the mayor's office finally
boiled over. After a semipublic spat, then-President Medvedev simply fired the unrepentant
chieftain. Just to make sure that everyone knew it was personal, Medvedev's decree ex-
plained that the mayor had 'lost the trust of the president'.
Luzhkov's replacement, Sergei Sobyanin, was previously the head of the presidential ad-
ministration under Putin. Like other prized possessions in Putin's Russia, Moscow now be-
longs to the Kremlin.
In 2013 American whistleblower Edward Snowden became Moscow's most mysterious
resident, when he spent 39 days in the transit area at Sheremetyevo Airport while seek-
ing asylum from the US Department of Justice. He was finally granted a one-year tempor-
ary asylum in Russia, with hopes of staying longer.
Sobyanin's early initiatives included a crack-down on corruption and a halt to construc-
tion. One of his first acts in office was, controversially, to do away with some 2000 kiosks
that were scattered over Moscow's streets and squares.
