DATE=8/4/1999
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA POLITICS
NUMBER=5-44000
BYLINE=PETER HEINLEIN
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Two of Russia's most promising political
movements have formed an alliance for parliamentary
elections in December. V-O-A Moscow Correspondent
Peter Heinlein reports the coalition links one of
Russia's rising political stars and some of its most
powerful regional leaders.
TEXT: It has been the talk of Moscow political
circles for weeks. Mayor Yuri Luzhkov, already seen
as the main contender in the presidential election
next year, and his Fatherland movement, are joining
forces with the All Russia bloc that unites some of
the nation's most influential regional chiefs.
The object -- to win an absolute majority in Russia's
Duma, or lower house of parliament. At present, the
Duma is a fractious collection of parties and
movements that has been easily outmaneuvered by the
vastly more powerful President Boris Yeltsin.
At a news conference announcing the alliance, the All
Russia movement's main organizer, Tatarstan president
Mintimer Shaimiyev, said the coalition hopes to take
firm control of parliament with an eye toward forming
a stable government.
/// SHAIMIYEV ACT - IN RUSSIAN - FADE UNDER ///
He says "We must achieve a parliamentary majority
that will make it possible for the next Russian
president to form a majority government."
Political analysts say the alliance between Mayor
Luzhkov and regional leaders could be a strong force
in Duma elections, but not necessarily a dominant one.
What could change that picture, however, is the
addition of the man rated Russia's most popular
political figure.
Mayor Luzhkov told reporters Wednesday the alliance is
actively courting that man, former Prime Minister
Yevgeny Primakov.
/// LUZHKOV ACT - IN RUSSIAN - FADE UNDER ///
He says, "We all know Mr. Primakov and respect him.
We supported him when he was head of government, and
we are ready to make him number one on our list of
candidates for the Duma."
The former Prime Minister has made no comment about
the possibility of joining the coalition.
But if Mr. Primakov does decide to join, political
analyst Andrei Ryabov says the alliance would have the
potential to become an almost unbeatable force.
/// RYABOV ACT ///
I think it's a very important psychological
moment, because the present-day Russian elite
emulates the behavior of the Soviet political
elite, which on every occasion supports the
strongest politician. We can remember the
situation in the beginning of 90's when most
part of the elite ran out from Gorbachev and
joined Yeltsin when they felt that Yeltsin was
transformed to the center of power. And I think
this situation may be repeated in the new
political context.
/// END ACT ///
Analyst Ryabov notes that Mr. Primakov has several
weeks to make a decision, and can wait to see whether
the strong personalities involved are able to put
aside their personal ambitions and work together. It
is a test many other potential Russian political
alliances have failed.
If they can make it work, however, the coalition will
be the odds-on favorite in the parliamentary vote in
December. After that, however, the question becomes,
which of the powerful personalities will step aside
and allow the other to become the group's presidential
candidate. (signed)
NEB/PFH/JWH/gm
04-Aug-1999 12:48 PM EDT (04-Aug-1999 1648 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
