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A Russian billionaire says he's teaming up with former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev to form a new political party that will challenge the country's recent steps away from democracy.
Alexander Lebedev, a former lawmaker who has built a fortune in business and investment, Tuesday said he and Gorbachev would work together in a political movement tentatively named the Independent Democratic Party.
Gorbachev has generally praised Putin for lifting the nation out of the post- Soviet troubles that many Russians blame on the late Boris Yeltsin, a longtime rival of Gorbachev who replaced him in the Kremlin.
But Gorbachev has cautiously criticised the political system put in place by Putin. The United Russia party of the immensely popular Putin dominates parliament and regional governments, while Kremlin critics have been sidelined, sometimes though force.
Earlier this year, Gorbachev suggested that United Russia was in danger of becoming like the all-powerful Soviet -era Communist Party and called for major changes in the electoral system.
Originally posted by Maxmars
Of course, the next question is, will the KGB/Russian Mafia allow it?
Originally posted by Maxmars
Of course, the next question is, will the KGB/Russian Mafia allow it?
Originally posted by Maxmars
Russia has been very nearly overrun by powerful 'black market' players
Originally posted by Maxmars
I believed that Gorbachev was NOT of that school of thought.
Originally posted by Kryties
Something needs to be done about the state of politics in Russia at the moment. It has been taking a sharp downturn towards the old Communist system since Putin took over from Yeltsen.
Originally posted by TheAgentNineteen
He also disbanded the KGB (Which Putin was in at the time) when they made an attempt on his life.
Originally posted by TheAgentNineteen
Putin however has been reinstating the Dictates of KGB/Politburo Oppression
Originally posted by TheAgentNineteen
and completely destroying the very freedoms which Democratic minded individuals such as Gorbachev fought so valiantly for.
Originally posted by TheAgentNineteen
Davai Mikhail Gorbachev Davai
Originally posted by TheAgentNineteen
However, he did go against the established order of the CCCP
Originally posted by TheAgentNineteen
and almost paid for it with his life.
Originally posted by TheAgentNineteen
The Power Holders did not attempt an assassination upon Gorbachev because he was their friend.
Originally posted by maloy
What makes you think Russia had any democracy under Yeltsin?