Post by MiG on Nov 15, 2007 23:15:06 GMT -5
Putin supporters clamor for him to remain 'active leader' of Russia
TVER, Russia: Reluctant to lose President Vladimir Putin as Russia's supreme leader, hundreds of citizens jammed a theater Thursday, vowing to ensure parliament carries out Putin's policies even after he steps down.
The gathering in Tver, a city about 160 kilometers (100 miles) northwest of Moscow, was the most visible in a string of recent demonstrations, testimonials and appeals across Russia's 11 time zones that have urged Putin to remain in power somehow after his second consecutive presidential term ends in March.
Speakers at the "All Russia Council of Initiative Groups to Support Putin" pledged allegiance to a president who is officially heading for retirement.
"We will follow Putin as we followed our commanders during the war," declared Mikhail Shebanov, who took the stage dressed in a uniform jacket resplendent with Soviet-era medals and ribbons.
Pavel Astakhov, a prominent lawyer and television personality, told reporters that the council wanted Putin to remain in power regardless of what title he chose.
"We will offer Putin a position from which he will be able to lead the country," Astakhov said. "The choice is up to him between prime minister, speaker of parliament or the head of the largest party."
Critics have said the outpouring of support for Putin shows that a personality cult has sprung up around the 55-year-old former KGB lieutenant colonel, similar to the adoration accorded some Soviet leaders, including Josef Stalin.
But Astakhov said there was no Putin personality cult, saying "there is no place for it in modern Russia."
Critics have also questioned whether the Kremlin is helping organize and coordinate the ostensibly grass-roots movement.
Irina Blokhina, one of the All Russia Council coordinators, said its expenses have been paid with donations from businessmen and sympathizers. She said none of the participants in Thursday's meeting had received money.
Over the past year, supporters have urged parliament to change the constitution to allow Putin to serve a third consecutive term as president, but he rejected that idea. Putin has said recently that, if he seeks to become prime minister, he would not use the post to maintain power.
Putin has left open the possibility of running again for president in 2012 or earlier, after a break from the job, as the constitution bars him only from serving more than two terms consecutively.
TVER, Russia: Reluctant to lose President Vladimir Putin as Russia's supreme leader, hundreds of citizens jammed a theater Thursday, vowing to ensure parliament carries out Putin's policies even after he steps down.
The gathering in Tver, a city about 160 kilometers (100 miles) northwest of Moscow, was the most visible in a string of recent demonstrations, testimonials and appeals across Russia's 11 time zones that have urged Putin to remain in power somehow after his second consecutive presidential term ends in March.
Speakers at the "All Russia Council of Initiative Groups to Support Putin" pledged allegiance to a president who is officially heading for retirement.
"We will follow Putin as we followed our commanders during the war," declared Mikhail Shebanov, who took the stage dressed in a uniform jacket resplendent with Soviet-era medals and ribbons.
Pavel Astakhov, a prominent lawyer and television personality, told reporters that the council wanted Putin to remain in power regardless of what title he chose.
"We will offer Putin a position from which he will be able to lead the country," Astakhov said. "The choice is up to him between prime minister, speaker of parliament or the head of the largest party."
Critics have said the outpouring of support for Putin shows that a personality cult has sprung up around the 55-year-old former KGB lieutenant colonel, similar to the adoration accorded some Soviet leaders, including Josef Stalin.
But Astakhov said there was no Putin personality cult, saying "there is no place for it in modern Russia."
Critics have also questioned whether the Kremlin is helping organize and coordinate the ostensibly grass-roots movement.
Irina Blokhina, one of the All Russia Council coordinators, said its expenses have been paid with donations from businessmen and sympathizers. She said none of the participants in Thursday's meeting had received money.
Over the past year, supporters have urged parliament to change the constitution to allow Putin to serve a third consecutive term as president, but he rejected that idea. Putin has said recently that, if he seeks to become prime minister, he would not use the post to maintain power.
Putin has left open the possibility of running again for president in 2012 or earlier, after a break from the job, as the constitution bars him only from serving more than two terms consecutively.
Source: www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/11/15/europe/EU-GEN-Russia-Pro-Putin-Movement.php