Posted on 09/14/2005 5:54:58 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
'Putin foe' to run for presidency
Russia's former Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov has said he will stand for president in the 2008 election.
Mr Kasyanov, 47, is seen as the most persistent critic of President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of taking the country away from a democratic path.
He is currently under an investigation for alleged fraud and abuse of power - the charges he denies as Moscow's attempt to discredit him.
The constitution bars Mr Putin from running for a third term.
'No-one else'
"As of today, my answer is yes," Mr Kasyanov told Moscow's Ekho Moskvy radio when asked if he would be standing for president.
"I cannot just go into the shadows. At the moment there is no-one to develop those political processes that could lead to the positive results, which many millions of Russian citizens are counting on," he said.
Mr Kasyanov served as prime minister for most of President Putin's first term, but was sacked last year.
Prosecutors opened the investigation over allegations that he purchased a country home outside Moscow for a fraction of its market price.
Will he be visiting Marcy Park in the near future?
If he found dead there, his death would be called 'Putincide.":)
Someone's going to disappear soon.
Some is going to be feed a dioxin soup within the year.
goodbye mikhail!! when puty -put finds a way to make you go poof!!
How do you say Arkancide in Russian?
Most serious there is out there. Likely the only man who could unite the progressive opposition parties.
Still don't think he has much of a chance. Kremlin toadies in the Duma have already begun an "investigation" into some allegedly questionably bought dachas in the Yeltsin years.
But he has been quite clever in showing his hand this early. It might make the Kremlin think twice before turning him into Khodorkovsky II.
"Mick the 2%"? I doubt it.
Would he be a serious challenge to Putin?==
He ar enot chalenge for Putin since Putin is alredy on his 2d term.
Otherwise Kasyanov wellknown in Russia by nickname "Misha 2%". It is his usual fee which he asked for his signature when he was financial minister.
SO Kasyanov is corruptioneer. I think his chances are less then even Kasparov.
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