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Prokhorov to run for Krasnoyarsk mayor, to create broad civil platform

“We, a new generation of politicians, have to work out a different understanding of ideology, a uniting platform in Russian politics,” he said

MOSCOW, April 4 (Itar-Tass) —— Billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov said he would create a broad-based civil platform along with a new party in order to take part in regional elections this autumn and run for the mayor of Krasnoyarsk.

“Everybody has been asking me this past month if I am going to create the party as I promised. Yes, I will. Moreover, along with the party I will create a broad civil platform around it,” Prokhorov wrote in an article for RBC Daily, which was posted on his website on Wednesday, April 4.

In his opinion, such platform could attract those who are not ready or who do not want to join political parties but who seek to join forces for the development of common demands to the authorities.

“The platform will allow us not only to oppose the authorities but also start taking political action,” he said.

Prokhorov believes that “the potential of street protests, rallies and marches has been exhausted”, “prospects for consolidation of the opposition is illusory” and “there is infinitesimally little trust in small organisations that will be allowed to be created under new legislation”.

“Strange as it may seem, I see no reason why people should drift away into numerous nano-parties with unclear claims for the left or right slant,” the businessman wrote.

While not rejecting ideology as such, Prokhorov stressed, “The battles between the right and the left are the tiresome old story that is useless for understanding modern Russia.”

“We, a new generation of politicians, have to work out a different understanding of ideology, a uniting platform in Russian politics,” he said.

As for the party, Prokhorov said it would an “open type” party without the traditional hierarchy and leaderism. All leading positions in the party, including those of regional leaders, will be filled on the basis of primaries and public elections.

The Internet will provide the main tool for communication among the party members and the party’s budget will be “absolutely transparent”.

The party will create its own think tank – a party institute and a party school – because “an intelligent policy needs a quality expert evaluation and leaders who have grown out of experienced activists”.

“We have time to do everything right, get bright and efficient people together, agree to basic principles and go forward. Our immediate goal is the autumn elections at different levels, and closest of which is the mayor election in Krasnoyarsk,” Prokhorov said.

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