A Russian billionaire, Alexander Lebedev, in partnership with Mikhail Gorbachev, plans to start a new political party in Russia, tentatively to be called the Independent Democratic Party. NY Times:
In a statement on his Web site, Lebedev said the new party was Gorbachev's idea. ''The initiative belongs to President Gorbachev. He gave our people freedom, but we have not learned how to use it.''
Lebedev said the party would advocate a ''return to a normal electoral system,'' calling for the restoration of gubernatorial elections, a stronger parliament, independent courts and media, and a smaller state role in the economy.
Comments