Several clubs aimed at “popularizing the ideas” of Russian premier and presidential candidate Vladimir Putin will be opened in early February in Armenia, the Commonwealth of Independent States Youth Union announced on Thursday.

These “Putin ideas” will relate to Russian-Armenian relations, the common history and victories, the establishment of the Eurasian Economic Community, a nascent alliance to take the Russian-dominated alliance of former Soviet states to a higher level of economic and political integration.

Pro-Putin clubs will be housed in the Russian Book Houses that currently operate in Yerevan and Artashat and are due to open in Gyumri and Vanadzor.

The news about the plans caused an uproar in online social networks, with many Armenian internet users voicing their anger at the fact that the Russian book houses, which were originally opened for the purpose of popularizing Russian culture, will be engaged in brazen political propaganda.

“The idea of Russian book houses is quite acceptable, just like the work of the British Council or Francophonie clubs. But why spoil such an idea with clubs that are clearly unacceptable to the society?” queries one such Armenian Facebook user.

Another reason for resentment is that the pro-Putin clubs, according to Chairman of the Board of the CIS Youth Union Andranik Nikoghosyan, are being opened “upon the initiative of the Armenian youth.”

“Based on the suggestions received from the Armenian youth, it becomes clear they feel great affection for Vladimir Putin first of all because he has managed to outline the top priorities and put the Russian-Armenian relationship on the right footing,” said Nikoghosyan.

Many Facebook users have said they will join the Putin clubs to boycott them from inside. They say that political campaigning in Russia ahead of the March 4 presidential election is not a cause for the Armenian youths to champion, and they’d better decide on candidates in Armenia where there will also be elections soon. Besides, Putin is increasingly being viewed as a controversial figure in Russia itself, with the rising protest movement there being openly called anti-Putin.

To the question of one of the media as to why the club will be named after Putin, and not, for example, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Nikoghosyan said: “Because young Armenians prefer Putin. The decision was made at the suggestion of the Armenian youth.”

Meanwhile, many Armenians on online social networking sites are furious that such decisions are made on their behalf. Many Facebookers, for example, suggest that the names of those who requested the establishment of Putin clubs be published.

According to the information that was disseminated about the opening of Putin clubs, the Armenian youths have been inspired by the Russian leader’s idea of establishing a Eurasian Union, like the USSR. However, Armenia has not yet officially expressed its attitude toward the idea. Moreover, no influential political party has expressed its support for it.

At a recent press conference Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan said that Armenia has not yet decided on its attitude towards the Eurasian Union, because the Union itself has not been formed yet. Only two politicians in Armenia have so far expressed their definite positive attitude towards such a union – they are Aram Karapetyan, the leader of the New Times Party, and Artashes Geghamyan, the leader of the National Unity Party. All other forces – both pro-government and opposition – have stopped short of hailing Putin’s proposal on the establishment of the Eurasian Union.

It is expected that the Russian book houses will hold events that will result in resolutions on supporting Putin and his Eurasian Union. But the most remarkable thing is that these resolutions will be adopted on behalf of the Armenian youth.

The first Putin clubs will be opened at the Russian book houses in Yerevan and Artashat. According to Nikoghosyan, such clubs will be opened throughout the CIS, with Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan following the example of Armenia.

Pro-Putin youth groups have existed in Russia for many years since Putin’s accession to power in 2000. Critics have derided them as proof of a personality cult created around Putin, but his press spokesman and Putin himself have said there is no danger of such a cult reemerging in Russia.