24 July 2003 15:54
Pro-Kremlin One Russia party complains of pressure in Communist-run regions
[Presenter] One Russia party members in the regions which form the so-called red belt complain of persecution on the
part of the local authorities.
In order to discuss the problem, representatives from the party's eight regional branches have gathered for a
meeting in Bryansk [in central Russia]. They say that they constantly feel opposition from the local authorities. One
Russia members from Bryansk Region even say that there have been numerous incidents when, having joined the party,
people immediately lost their jobs.
The leaders of One Russia regional branches accused the executive authorities of the red regions of taking advantage
of the administrative resources to fight their political opponents.
In Volgograd Region, opposition between One Russia and the Communists developed into open confrontation.
[Oleg Savchenko, captioned as the head of the political council of One Russia's regional branch for Volgograd
Region] It is not just confrontation. Things have gone as far as open clashes. What we see today is a political
confrontation of principal importance: it is about what sort of country Russia will be. They [the Communists] have the
regional budget under their total control. They have made the regional Duma a Communist one. It has practically become
the [Communist] party's own pocket.
[Centre TV] |
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