Support The Moscow Times!

Medvedev Praises 'Revolutionary' Prokhorov

President Medvedev speaking with Prokhorov during a meeting Monday at his Gorki residence outside Moscow. Vladimir Rodionov

In an indication that Right Cause is emerging as a powerful political force, President Dmitry Medvedev invited the party's new billionaire leader to his Gorki residence on Monday and praised his initiatives as "quite revolutionary."

Medvedev told Mikhail Prokhorov, who was elected leader of the pro-business party on Saturday, that he backed his proposal to return direct elections for the mayors of Moscow and St. Petersburg.

"Some of your ideas are quite revolutionary," Medvedev said in comments shown by state-owned Channel One television.

Echoing statements by Prokhorov on Saturday, Medvedev said that centralization of power orchestrated by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin shouldn't "last long." Medvedev has spoken about dismantling Putin's system several times in recent months.

"During some period of time it was important to tighten the screws, to force institutes to work," Medvedev told Prokhorov. "But we can't tighten the system any further."

Medvedev's decision to meet with the leader of a party not even represented in the State Duma was a clear attempt to boost the popularity of Right Cause ahead of the Duma elections in December.

Prokhorov said Saturday that he plans to make his party the second largest after United Russia, which is led by Putin.

Medvedev is linked to no party but said in an interview last week that it was only a matter of time before he created or headed a party.

Analysts have said Right Cause stands a good chance of getting into the Duma if it wins extensive coverage on state television. Right Cause, which a poll found had a mere 1 percent support among voters before Prokhorov took charge, saw its Saturday congress featured on state television. Prokhorov was a guest on Channel One host Vladimir Pozner's show on Sunday night.

On Pozner's show, Prokhorov took questions from a studio audience and promised not to use the government "to line pockets."

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more