Will ‘Let Them Eat Macaroons’ Be Russia’s Marie Antoinette Moment?

Paul Goble

            Staunton, October 13 -- Even those who know almost nothing about the causes of the French revolution can cite Marie Antoinette’s infamous remark that if the French people do not have bread “let them eat cake” as an indication that the ancien régime was out of touch with the population it held in contempt and thus was a good candidate for being ousted.

            Since Putin came to power and especially since 2008, his officials have made a variety of comments which approach the Marie Antoinette standard of tone deafness, most famously Dmitry Medvedev’s remark that “there is no money but have a nice day anyway” (mbk.sobchakprotivvseh.ru/suzhet/pokupat-kvartiry-menshe-est/).

            Now, however, one Russian official has crossed this redline by suggesting Russians can live on 3500 rubles (50 US dollars) a month by eating macaroons and drinking kefir.  Her remark was particularly offensive because Saratov Labor Minister Natalya Sokolova has been receiving a salary of 191,000 rubles (2700 US dollars) a month and is married to a wealthy businessman (dailystorm.ru/obschestvo/ne-hlebom-edinym-muzh-saratovskogo-eks-ministra-po-makaroshkam-i-kefiru-vladeet-rybzavodom).

            This remark touched off a firestorm of criticism in the Russian media, with many writers pointing out that Sokolova should be forced to live on 3500 rubles a month before telling other people too (webkamerton.ru/2018/10/prozhit-na-3500-ministr-nachni-s-sebya and idelreal.org/a/29541296.html).

            Because of that anger, because of the government’s worsening poll numbers, and because she occupied a low enough position not to have key allies in Moscow, Sokolova has been fired.  And the Kremlin probably thinks that is the end of this particular chapter in the sorry history of such remarks (rusmonitor.com/ob-uvolnenii-saratovskojj-chinovnicy-natali-sokolovojj-telegram-kanal-serpom-po.html).

            But the Russian powers that be almost certainly are wrong. Not only do Russians remember to this day Medvedev’s foolish comment, but they are certain to remember Sokolova’s as well because, as the case of Marie Antoinette, such remarks capture what the authorities really think of the people.

            Many can bear mistreatment for long periods of time, but far fewer are prepared to put up with contempt. That is what Sokolova shows the Russian “elite” feels for ordinary Russians. They will certainly recognize and remember that, possibly with equally revolutionary consequences down the line.