Former Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev has announced plans to form a new independent political party in Russia. The 77 year old senior statesman, best known for introducing the policy of Glasnost which lead to the dissolution of the Soviet Union, will be partnering with Russian billionaire Alexander Lebedev in the formation of what is tentatively being called the Independent Democratic Party.

Many democracy advocates in Russia and abroad have become disillusioned with the increasingly authoritarian role the Kremlin, under the stewardship of Vladimir Putin, has taken in Russian life. Since Putin’s election as President of the Russian Republic, the state has exercised a firm grasp on both the press and business community as well as the fledgling Democratic institutions within the country, which at this point have become little more than rubber stamps for the will of Putin’s political party.

In a statement on his website, Lebedev said, “The initiative belongs to President Gorbachev. He gave our people freedom, but we have not learned how to use it.” According to Lebedev the party will call for a return to normal electoral processes, an independent press and judiciary and a more limited state role in the economy.

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LINKS:

The Guardian: Gorbachev launches political party with Russian billionaire

Reuters: Gorbachev to form new Russian party

The Moscow Times: Gorbachev, Lebedev to form party