Four Russian opposition politicians will hold an authorized rally for 10,000 people in downtown Moscow on Saturday to demand fair elections, the fight against corruption and media freedom.
Boris Nemtsov, Mikhail Kasyanov, Vladimir Ryzhkov and Vladimir Milov set up an opposition party, the Popular Freedom Party abbreviated in Russian as Parnas, in 2010. The party should have 45,000 members by late April to submit registration documents to authorities in May.
The four men plan to nominate their own presidential candidate for the 2012 elections at their party’s congress in summer.
“The rally has huge significance for us, for the Popular Freedom Party, because it’s the first large-scale action we hold not only in Moscow but across the country. Overall, the action will be held in more than 30 regions with common mottos and symbols and at one time,” Ryzhkov said.
To be registered, the party should have regional offices in over half of Russian regions and number at least 45,000 members. Currently it has some 35,000 members.
Ryzhkov also said the rally participants will demand that opposition parties be allowed to take part in elections, and that ex-Yukos head Mikhail Khodorkovsky be released from prison.
MOSCOW, April 16 (RIA Novosti)