Would it become more authoritarian or would some form of Glasnost emerge ?
The $10 TRILLION DOLLAR QUESTION!
I think not much will change while the Old Man is in charge. He won't let anyone dismantle his legacy while he is around.
He doesn't listen to his kids, or his young trophy wife. He only listens to his buddies, who are just as old, and untraveled as he is.
But there is some hope, that liberals will be given more oxygen - so that we may be able to revive the economy for him. He knows the security clique is totally useless at managing the economy.
If he wants the help of Russian liberals in reviving the economy, he also has to hand out a few sweets. Unlock Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp - little things like that.
Business is gonna wanna know, that he's not gonna attack someone tomorrow again - and wreck things all over again. 4 years of this nonsense is enough.