The value of institutions

Shortcuts to institutional legality harbour enormous risks and very negative consequences when they derail. The temptation for those who hold power in an autocratic manner is to use the necessary resources to achieve their objectives, even if that choice means circumventing compliance with the laws, regulations, protocols and rules that emanate from a composition with a legitimate legal and political entity. Authoritarian populisms and their actions that violate legality and legitimacy make it necessary to remember and reclaim the exercise of power within the channels established by the Constitution and the laws. In recent years, unfortunately, there have been more and more cases of usurpation and personal and partisan use of power achieved by democratic means, but with a populist and demagogic attitude. And also with dictatorial attitudes. 

The cases of military superpowers such as Russia and China are acceptable in the international arena due to their great economic, commercial and energy weight, but there comes a time of confrontation and collision, such as the one we are currently experiencing in Ukraine and in the struggle between Washington and Beijing, in which we are obliged to clarify our position forcefully with respect to the principles and values that have guided us as liberal democracies. And we must be aware of the effort and sacrifice it will take to maintain it with the coherence required to face the present and the future within the framework of the rule of law, the rule of law and respect for freedoms and a market economy that guarantees our coexistence and the welfare state. 

The shortcut of the Wagner mercenary group used for years by Russian President Vladimir Putin to do a lot of dirty work without respecting the most basic laws and norms has blown up in his face. In Ukraine and in some African countries, mercenaries led by a not at all commendable character like Yevgeny Prigozhin have committed all sorts of murders, tortures and despicable acts under the impunity granted by the dictatorial conglomerate of the Kremlin and its allies who only wanted results without caring about the price or the methods. When you create a monster parallel to the institutions with economic and arms power, the risk is now as obvious as it is unacceptable. Putin has been dealt a blow and will sacrifice pieces of his government to stay in power while we in the West must be acutely aware that a Russia without Putin may not be the best option if the replacement is worse or if the Russian Federation is dismantled and nuclear arms control is not in place. That is why Putin came to power, as a disciplined and solvent member of the KGB, to ensure stability and security. Now the worst uncertainty reigns.