Yeltsin: lauded in the west, reviled at home

Tributes to Boris Yeltsin will be flowing in from the west following the former president's death, but there probably won't be so many Russians morning his passing. Yeltsin's domestic popularity plummeted after his introduction of free market reforms which lead to an incredibly unequal society and a ruined economy. So although he was lauded by capitalist politicians, it was Yeltsin's own people that suffered tremendously. 'Shock therapy' impoverished millions while privatisation significantly enriched the people around the authoritarian Yeltsin who became millionaires and billionaires. Here's a few critical obituaries - Ex-Russian president dies and Do svidanja, Boris, Yeltsin's legacy: us and them, the UK SocialistWorkerOnline obituary, and perhaps best of all: The bitter legacy of Boris Yeltsin.