Eldritch
02-16-2011, 06:56 PM
http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20110216/mikhail.afp.jpg
Soviet Union's last leader Mikhail Gorbachev on Wednesday launched a stinging attack on Russia's 'debauched' ruling elite, saying the Kremlin had banned him from creating a political party.
In an interview with Novaya Gazeta newspaper ahead of his 80th birthday on March 2, Mr Gorbachev said he wanted to set up a social democratic party but the Kremlin's chief ideologue Vladislav Surkov warned it would not be registered.
'With my friends, I have an idea to set up a party. When Mr Surkov found out, he asked: 'Why do you need this? In any case, we are not going to register your party',' Mr Gorbachev said.
Mr Surkov, Kremlin first deputy chief of staff, is credited with creating the centralised power system that has marked Russia under the rule of Vladimir Putin as well as coining the phrase 'sovereign democracy'.
'I replied: 'We will create a movement',' Mr Gorbachev said. 'And we created it. But a movement is not a party and does not take part in elections. We need to have a social democratic party that does not depend on the authorities.'
He accused the ruling class in Russia of showing indifference to its people and also lashed out at billionaire Roman Abramovich who has built up his fortune while staying well away from politics.
'They (the ruling classes) are rich and debauched. Their ideal is to be something close to Abramovich. I scorn this idea. I am ashamed of this rich debauchery. I am ashamed for us and the country.' While steering clear of any personal attack on either President Dmitry Medvedev or Prime Minister Putin, Mr Gorbachev said politics in Russia had degenerated into a scheme for the elite to hang onto power.
Link. (http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/World/Story/STIStory_635619.html)
Soviet Union's last leader Mikhail Gorbachev on Wednesday launched a stinging attack on Russia's 'debauched' ruling elite, saying the Kremlin had banned him from creating a political party.
In an interview with Novaya Gazeta newspaper ahead of his 80th birthday on March 2, Mr Gorbachev said he wanted to set up a social democratic party but the Kremlin's chief ideologue Vladislav Surkov warned it would not be registered.
'With my friends, I have an idea to set up a party. When Mr Surkov found out, he asked: 'Why do you need this? In any case, we are not going to register your party',' Mr Gorbachev said.
Mr Surkov, Kremlin first deputy chief of staff, is credited with creating the centralised power system that has marked Russia under the rule of Vladimir Putin as well as coining the phrase 'sovereign democracy'.
'I replied: 'We will create a movement',' Mr Gorbachev said. 'And we created it. But a movement is not a party and does not take part in elections. We need to have a social democratic party that does not depend on the authorities.'
He accused the ruling class in Russia of showing indifference to its people and also lashed out at billionaire Roman Abramovich who has built up his fortune while staying well away from politics.
'They (the ruling classes) are rich and debauched. Their ideal is to be something close to Abramovich. I scorn this idea. I am ashamed of this rich debauchery. I am ashamed for us and the country.' While steering clear of any personal attack on either President Dmitry Medvedev or Prime Minister Putin, Mr Gorbachev said politics in Russia had degenerated into a scheme for the elite to hang onto power.
Link. (http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/World/Story/STIStory_635619.html)