Three Kremlin-friendly opposition parties, which failed to win seats in the Russian parliament in 2007 elections, have formed a new liberal party called Just Cause. They have have their eye on the next poll in 2011. At the party's inaugural congress on Sunday, Nov. 16, the initiators said the move had been discussed with the Kremlin, according to Moscow radio broadcaster Echo Moskvy. The party had been formed with the help of the Kremlin, but not by the Russian government, said Leonid Gosman, deputy chairman of the Union of Just Forces (SPS). The SPS and its two allies, the Democratic Party and the Citizens' Force, disbanded to to form the new union.
At the party's inaugural congress on Sunday, Nov. 16, the initiators said the move had been discussed with the Kremlin, according to Moscow radio broadcaster Echo Moskvy.
The party had been formed with the help of the Kremlin, but not by the Russian government, said Leonid Gosman, deputy chairman of the Union of Just Forces (SPS).
The SPS and its two allies, the Democratic Party and the Citizens' Force, disbanded to to form the new union.
... Leonid Gosman, deputy chairman of the Union of Just Forces (SPS).
"Right Cause" is more adequate translation for "Правое Дело" and "Union of Right Forces" for "Союз Правых Сил".
In Russian context "liberal" means basically "right-wing", i.e. Pinochet is a liberal. At the moment 7% election barrier is too high for any liberal party to get into federal Parliament; at 2%, SPS or "Right Cause" will have a chance.
Representatives of other Russian opposition parties criticized the move, saying the new party would be too close to the Kremlin.
A "party" has specific legal meaning in Russia, including requirements on number of members and regional representation standards and formal and transparent financing. A loose group of few dozen unelectable into any office "liberals" financed by the foreign powers is not a "party".
The SPS was co-financed by former oil magnate Mikhail Khodorkovsky until his imprisonment in 2003.
And before and after 2003 SPS was financed by the state electric utility company, i.e. by the feared "Kremlin".
