Monarchy and Restoration; Rival Families and Claimants

[aj00192557]

so after these developments, do you guys think that russia will ever restore the monarchy?

[tiaraprin]

Originally Posted by aj00192557

so after these developments, do you guys think that russia will ever restore the monarchy?

Well you can never say never, but at this time no. The Russian people have not strongly petitioned for its return, and there is too much fighting amongst the Romanovs as to who the legitimate heir is. The monarchy cannot be restored at the moment with all this acrimony.

[aj00192557]

it is so sad that romanovs are fighting against each other. they should, instead, work together. i wish that the people of russia would again welcome having an emperor and an empress.

are there any pro monarchy movements in russia though?

[Mapple]

Originally Posted by aj00192557

...

are there any pro monarchy movements in russia though?

Some people on the lunatic fringe... they do not want the restoration of Romanovs, though.

[Marengo]

what do they want then? Did anybody read 'Icon' by Frederick Forsyte. It is about russia in the middle 90-ties and in the end of the book the monarchy is restored under...Prince and Princess Michael of Kent!!!! Can you imagine HER being Tsarina?? When I read it I could not stop laughing out loud for several minutes.

[Mapple]

Originally Posted by Marengo

what do they want then?

Erm... a 'true' Eastern Orthodox Tsar elected by the Zemsky Sobor (a kind of Parliament which existed under late Rurikoviches and early Romanovs; Mikhail Romanov was elected Tsar on one of such gatherings), Orthodoxy as a state religion, expulsion of the Jews, the whole bit... Thankfully there are few of them.

The pro-Romanov monarchists do exist, too, but they are totally unnoticeable.

Originally Posted by Marengo

Did anybody read 'Icon' by Frederick Forsyte. It is about russia in the middle 90-ties and in the end of the book the monarchy is restored under...Prince and Princess Michael of Kent!!!! Can you imagine HER being Tsarina?? When I read it I could not stop laughing out loud for several minutes.

So did I. :) Forsyth is (was?) a good writer, but the plot was implausible.

[Marengo]

Doesnt Grand Duchess Maria Wladimirovna go out of her ways to be as eastern orthodox as possible? She even didnt attend he burial of Tsar Nicholas II and his family because the orthodox church had problems with it.

Anyway, the monarchist groups seem terrible, it is a pity that people use the monarchy for extreme right sympathies (not only the monarchic party in Russia but also elsewhere in Europe).

----

The plot was implosable indeed and he made several mistakes with the familytrees (of course almost nobody who reads it knows the familytrees so for the plot it doesnt matter).

[Layla1971]

So, in summary, Russia wants a democaratic, non-intrusive new Royal Family that they have elected, and will continue to monitor to ensure they fulfill their duties, but don't overstep their boundaries?
They would have to be neutral in terms of religion, and ethnicity (either be a family of combined beliefs, or just keep their own beliefs out of their jobs), and be non-aristocratic by bloodlines, so they don't have preconceived notions of their rights, of the people and for the people, so to speak.

Mapple maybe you know, are there any people of high-standing in Russia who have devoted their time, even careers to bringing freedom, and democracy, justice to Russia?
If so, maybe they would qualify to be head of a new Royal Family?
In modern Russia I think a Royal Family could serve as a watchdog of the government, and authorities on behalf of their people.

[BeatrixFan]

I think that the reintroduction of a Monarchy in Russia would be seen as a re-uniting of old Russia and new Russia and almost 'making up' for the past.

I think that it will take the reintroduction of the Monarchy in several other countries before Russia has a chance - Romania is high on the list after the way King Michael was ousted - he has a huge following in Romania and in a recent interview, King Harald of Norway said that the Polish President was keen to bring a Monarchy to Poland.

If Russia saw it work in other nations, they may be more keen to bring back the Romanovs. I think any Government would support Maria - would you argue with her? Yeltsin adored her and Putin has met with her several times. She has the backing of the Church and most Romanov followers - it's a huge can of worms and it isn't as simple as plopping a crown on her beehive and making her Empress.

It's easier for Romania etc because they know who their heir definately is. For them it would be Michael and then his daughter - but all these dog-fights between Maria and the others just puts people off of opening the floodgates.

[Layla1971]

If I was living in Russia, I know I wouldn't want to live under (even the ceremonial) rule of Maria Vladimirovna, and I know my family wouldn't want her after they have had to put up with their current government. IMO Maria would just add to the current problems with her own greed.
And Putin isn't the great president internationals think he is.
And just because he, and Yeltsin met with Maria doesn't mean they liked her, it just means they found it mutually beneficial to reinstate the monarchy.

[BeatrixFan]

And just because he, and Yeltsin met with Maria doesn't mean they liked her, it just means they found it mutually beneficial to reinstate the monarchy.

Very true. She seems to have a very imperious and assuming nature and looks very regal. But there's no reason why they should have the Romanovs to have a Royal Family. Putin could declare himself Tsar, as long as the people voted for it.

[Layla1971]

Originally Posted by BeatrixFan

Very true. She seems to have a very imperious and assuming nature and looks very regal. But there's no reason why they should have the Romanovs to have a Royal Family. Putin could declare himself Tsar, as long as the people voted for it.

Putin as Tsar! NEVER! We couldn't count on Putin to be honest, and not bow to corruption, and if he was crowned. we would have to replace him with someone other than his children.
The Royal Family is supposed to be somewhat permanent, not with a revolving cast of characters like on a tv show!
A person would have to be chosen that had a respectable life, as well as respectable, and responsible children to take over in the event of the monarchs death.
I know that Putin's daughters are well-educated so far, but I can't say that wouldn't follow their father's example.

[BeatrixFan]

Understood but not sure I agree. Anyway, definately not getting political!

I think Maria wants the throne for her son more than herself. The up side is that if he did become Tsar she'd be well looked after.

[Mapple]

I am from Russia, and in my opinion the restoration of monarchy in Russia has zero probability. This is simply not an option here.

I have spoken in such an authoritative manner, I know, but it is indeed true. Almost no one here considers the monarchical system as a possible future political development.

[BeatrixFan]

Mapple - thanks for the insight. I think that we Monarchists can become forgetful of the feeling of the people in post-monarchy countries.

Mapple, is it a question that is never asked or is there just a general opinion that it isn't the right thing to do?

I think that in general, it's countries like Greece and Romania that will restore their Kings - Russia would take some time.

[Mapple]

Originally Posted by BeatrixFan

Mapple - thanks for the insight. I think that we Monarchists can become forgetful of the feeling of the people in post-monarchy countries.

Mapple, is it a question that is never asked or is there just a general opinion that it isn't the right thing to do?

...

The general opinion... Mostly we are content with the existing system as the least evil possible. I don't think, though, that Russia as we know it is going to survive into the 22nd Century. We shall have serious trouble on our hands in several decades.

No one thinks about restoring the monarchy, Romanov or not. It can be said that the Russians are as much against monarchy as they are against Christian fundamentalism--no one thinks that either is a thing worth pondering, that is.

[Mapple]

Originally Posted by Von Schlesian

I don't think the true Russian monarchists are suggesting or hoping for a return 'the Autocracy of Alexander III'. but rather a constitutional monarchy, which could have easily occured in 1917.

That's just my personal opinion. I also think that by 1917 the opportunity of transition to a constitutional monarchy had already been missed -- the country had been radicalised by Stolypin's restrictions upon ftranchise and, first and foremost, by the horrible experience of the Great War.

[Layla1971]

Originally Posted by Mapple

That's just my personal opinion. I also think that by 1917 the opportunity of transition to a constitutional monarchy had already been missed -- the country had been radicalised by Stolypin's restrictions upon ftranchise and, first and foremost, by the horrible experience of the Great War.

It was World War I that made the Russian people lose even more faith in the Monarchy. I think even without Bloody Sunday, ect the people would have overthown the Monarchy eventually.

[Mapple]

Originally Posted by Layla1971

It was World War I that made the Russian people lose even more faith in the Monarchy. I think even without Bloody Sunday, ect the people would have overthown the Monarchy eventually.

The transformation into a constitutional monarchy IMHO was possible, but the 'window of opportunity' was very narrow, and the First Russian revolution of 1905-1907 and Stolypin's response to it (our PM was a capable administrator and a bold economic reformer, but no clairvoyant; he decided to restrict the voting rights of working class in favour of the landlords, thus making the nascent Russian parliament a representative of his will and not of the state of the public opinion) made Romanovs' overthrow inevitable.

[Layla1971]

Yes, the first revolution could have moved into an opportunity for democracy, but I'm not sure of the circumstances of that period, so I can't say why it didn't.