Introduction to International Politics

Foreign Event Analysis

Locale[]
Russian Federation
Title
Russia’s New Political Party
Summary
Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev and Russian billionaire Alexander Lebedev are joining together to form a new political party in Russia. Gorbachev and Lebedev, frustrated by what they feel is backwards progression from democracy by Russia’s current Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, have created the Independent Democratic Party of Russia. Neither Gorbachev or Lebedev can confirm if the party will run in the 2011 Duma Elections.
Analysis
President Gorbachev’s hope is to continue Russia’s progression towards democracy. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, many have blamed Boris Yeltsin for the post-Cold War problems Russia has faced. Yeltsin replaced Gorbachev in the Kremlin. Putin, who replaced Yeltsin, has been praised for restoring Russia’s power in the world through more socialist ideals, has found a political opponent in Gorbachev.
Gorbachev points out that the United Russian Party dominates parliament and the regional governments and critics of Putin and his administration have been quieted, sometimes through force. The Russian government, under Putin controls the courts, economy, and media.
The Independent Democratic Party of Russia, according to Gorbachev, will strive to restore a normal electoral system, call for gubernational elections, a strong parliament, independent court and media, and a smaller state role in the economy.
Lebedev has offered Nikita Belykh and Vladimir Ryzhkov, two other liberal politicians whose parties have been silenced or banned by Putin’s government, to join the new party project.
This new party would be more favorable to the United States. Russian-U.S. relations have been tense as of lately and a more pro-democratic party, if elected to power could promote better relations between the two states.
Perspectivei
Identity
In-Region URL
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/1010/42/371329.htm
Out-of-Region URL
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10535135
Submitted
October 3, 2008 at 10:13 am