29 July 2003 15:36
RUSSIA: POLITICAL PARTIES COMPLAIN ABOUT ONE ANOTHER...
Oleg Savchenko, head of the Volgograd branch of the Unified Russia party, told TV-Tsentr on 24 July that there have
been "open clashes" between activists of his pro-Kremlin party and members of the Communist Party. According
to Savchenko, the Communist Party has a stranglehold over the regional budget and legislature. In Bryansk Oblast, which
is also considered part of the so-called Red Belt, members of Unified Russia have reportedly lost their jobs after
joining the party, the station reported. However, in Tatarstan, it is members of Federation Council Chairman Sergei
Mironov's Party of Life who claim that they have faced discrimination because of their party affiliation, RosBalt
reported. In April, Rafgat Altynbaev was dismissed as one of Tatarstan's representatives to the Federation Council,
reportedly because of his support for the Party of Life. Also on 24 July, the Tatarstan-New Century party, which
represents the republic's top political leadership, announced that it will support Unified Russia in the 7 December
State Duma elections, RFE/RL's Kazan bureau reported. JAC Copyright (c) 2003. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the
permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
[AIW [Asia Africa Intelligence Wire]] |
RUSSIA IN FACTS
