Russians poke fun at Medvedev video

ISTANBUL

A picture taken on November 22, 2012, shows Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev speaking at the Gorki residence, outside Moscow, during the recording of his personal video blog entry "Road safety determines the quality of life, and we can improve road safety together." AFP PHOTO/ ALEXANDER ASTAFYEV

Russians are poking fun at the video broadcast on Prime Minister Dimitri Medvedev's blog on Nov. 24, French daily Le Figaro has reported.

In the video, Medvedev stands in front of a 4x4 Volkswagen and warns drivers about the dangers of alcohol. He proposes to impose a fine of 500,000 Rubles (12,500 euros) on drivers who cross red lights and have a high amount of alcohol in their blood.

The initiative received a polite welcome from members of his own United Russia party, but has drawn harsh criticism elsewhere in Russian society, with many drivers believing that such measures would only lead to more police bribes.

Meanwhile, Medvedev's announcement on his possible return to the Kremlin at an unspecified date in the future is also reportedly generating a lot of bemused comment in the Russian blogosphere.