Bald–hairy
Russian political joke / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Bald–hairy (Russian: лысый — волосатый) is a common joke in Russian political discourse, referring to the empirical rule of the state leaders' succession defined as a change of a bald or balding leader to a hairy one and vice versa. This consistent pattern can be traced back to as early as 1825, when Nicholas I succeeded his late brother Alexander as the Russian Emperor. Nicholas I's son Alexander II formed the first "bald–hairy" pair of the sequence with his father.
In Soviet times (for rulers after Lenin), the rule applies to the General (First) Secretaries of the Central Committee. In relation to the Chairmen of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee the rule is not followed. Additionally, the Chairmen of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR do not follow the rule, having more 'hairy' leaders than 'bald'.
The current "bald–hairy" pair of Russian rulers are the balding Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev, who has a full head of hair. Putin was the president from 2000 until 2008; Medvedev held the post until 2012, whereupon Putin became president again.[1]