Russia's Gorbachev Eyes Political Comeback

(AP)  Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev criticized Kremlin policies Friday and toyed with the ambitious idea of attempting a political comeback.

Gorbachev said that corruption and overdependence on oil exports have aggravated the impact of the global economic crisis on Russia. He urged President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to restructure the economy, cut down government spending and ensure political freedoms.

But he also suggested everyday Russians must shake their reliance on government largesse that has been boosted by energy price hikes during the past decade.

"We have paternalistic expectations of government support," he told a conference at his charitable foundation. "The price of oil has gone up a little bit, and we're saying that life is back to normal."

Gorbachev said his concerns about Russia are prompting him to consider a more active role in politics.

"What I have said motivates me to create a political force that could oppose, that could pose questions," he said. "Evidently there is a need for it, and we should initiate it."

He spoke hesitantly, however, and seemed to acknowledge he would have a hard time winning active backing, even from like-minded people.

"Even those sitting here, I am sure no more than 10 per cent will say there is a need to act," Gorbachev said. "It's a personal choice, so make up your mind."

Gorbachev, 78, remains popular abroad for the role he played in ending the Cold War and liberating Eastern Europe from Moscow's grip. He was cheered enthusiastically by Germans this month at celebrations commemorating the 20th anniversary of Berlin Wall's fall.

But he is disliked by many Russians who blame him for the collapse of the Soviet Union and the years of social and economic turmoil that followed it.

Gorbachev has maintained a relatively low profile since stepping down as Soviet president in 1991 as the country disintegrated, and his political ventures have little success. In 2001, he helped found the Social Democratic Party of Russia, but resigned three years later in a dispute among its leaders about working more closely with the dominant Kremlin-backed party, United Russia.

The Social Democratic Party later was one of several ordered closed by the Supreme Court under new registration rules critics said were intended to help the Kremlin consolidate power. In 2007, Gorbachev was elected head of the Union of Social Democrats, which was formed with the goal of challenging the Kremlin, but its emergence went widely unnoticed.

[Jack Wiseheimer]

'Gorbimania' will have no realistic comeback in Russia. Let's get this straight. Under his administration, the Soviet Union dissappeared. All the remaining socialists and communists blame him for this political disaster. When 'Gorbi' promised a 'Soviet system with a smile on its face', huge crowds cheered first, then were disenchanted when they looked in empty shelves and fridges. Before German reunification, 'Gorbi' was on a verge of internal politbureau revolution - the stone-faced old stalinists wanted to get rid of him. But he was saved by former German Kohl when he accepted 'Gorbi's' ask for an unconditional credit. The former GDR was sold by 'Gorbi', because his system was broke.
Being relatively famous abroad doesn't mean that the Russian people are keen on having him back. No doubt about it, Putin is the global player. He is to reckon with. The Russians feel that only he is able to bring back the strength of an renewed Russian Empire. Perhaps, in a few years we will be confronted with other Russian extensions, add Belarus and Ukraine to the Russian Federation. What will happen then?
'Gorbi' is a nice man with his star on the political walk of fame, but that's all. He should rather do his lectures abroad, earn his dollars and euros, and have a pleasant time.

[Jack Wiseheimer]

'Gorbimania' will have no realistic comeback in Russia. Let's get this straight. Under his administration, the Soviet Union dissappeared. All the remaining socialists and communists blame his for this political disaster. When 'Gorbi' promised a 'Soviet system with a smile on its face', huge crowds cheered first then disenchanted when they looked in empty shelves and fridges. Before German reunification, 'Gorbi' was on a verge of internal politbureau revolution - the stone-faced old stalinists wanted to get rid off. But he was saved by former German Kohl when he accepted 'Gorbi's' ask for an unconditioned credit. The former GDR was sold by 'Gorbi', because his system was broke.
Being relatively famous abroad doesn't mean that the Russian people are keen on having him back. No doubt about it, Putin is the global player. He is to reckon with. The Russians feel that only he is able to bring back the strength of an renewed Russian Empire. Perhaps, in a few years we will be confronted with other Russian extensions, add Belarus and Ukraine to the Russian Federation. What will happen then?
'Gorbi' is a nice man with his star on the political walk of fame, but that's all. He should rather do his lectures abroad, earn his dollars and euros, and have a pleasant time.

[indivthinker]

The message of his values won't stick unless the people accept them and rise up against Putin. Putin and Gorbachev are antithesis of each other. As long as Putin is popular, it doesn't matter how unpopular his policies are. People get elected, not their policies.

Gorbachev may mean well, but he nor someone with like views will ever beat Putin. It's a sad world, but until Russia sees Putin as the menace that he really is, they will not do a d@mn thing about it.

[amazedd]

I second the motion.

[mnbrant]

While he did sell the Russian brand pretty well, I think it didn't trickle down to the ordinary Russians. He should pick a successor for his party. One above reproach.