Marxist?
Putin...
...opposes abortion, which is down 83%
...instituted a low, flat tax
...opposes gay marriage and homosexuality
...decentralized agriculture, which went from 98% farm factories to 58% household plots (measured by output)
...routinely delivers stern condemnations against communism, statism and centralization of industry (rhetoric or not, the arguments get heard)
...decriminalized tax violations and removed taxing authorities from local officials
He may use strong-arm tactics; he may have not made enough reforms against corruption. But to call him a socialist, compared to America, is just silly.
Hope the Europeans enjoy learning Russian.
Here, we speak Spanish. /s