In the article, its author, Russian economist and political analyst, seeks to forecast the most probable way for development of Russian politics after contested elections of the Duma in December 2011 and of the President in March 2012. Considering recent political, economic and social trends, he argues that the explosive growth of political activity will cool down, the economy will remain relatively strong and the acquired social habits will prevent Russian citizens from rethinking their political and economic priorities. According to the developing line of arguments, no real threats for Vladimir Putin’s rule will emerge during the 2012 – 2014 period, and in a more distant perspective these may come predominantly from the changes in global markets rather than domestic.