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The Associated Press, April 28, 2003

Yabloko Plans to Ask Duma for a Vote of No-Confidence

The liberal Yabloko party said Saturday that it would call for a no-confidence vote in the government of Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov because of its failure to safeguard citizens and its inability to carry out vital reforms.

Party leader Grigory Yavlinsky likened the political calm in Russia following the tumultuous years under former President Boris Yeltsin to the situation of a frog sitting in a pot of water on a stove. At first it feels nice and warm and comfortable, "but the process will continue," he told reporters.

"To change the government in time would mean a real chance to prevent a crisis," Yavlinsky said in comments broadcast on TVS television.

Government spokesmen reacted calmly, even dismissively, to the announcement. Spokesman Alexei Gorshkov chalked it up to electioneering before the December parliamentary vote.

"Unfortunately, Yabloko is declaring its readiness to participate in drafting governmental programs and implement them only during the electoral race," he was quoted as saying by Interfax.

Alexei Volin, the government's deputy head of staff, said that with just 18 representatives in the 450-member State Duma, "Yabloko can put any matter on the agenda, up to declaring war on America," Interfax reported.

Yabloko said in a statement that Kasyanov's government "is incapable of ensuring the security of Russia and its citizens or curbing crime," Interfax reported.

"It has derailed vital economic reforms, is pursuing antisocial policies and protects large monopolies and oligarchic structures. In effect, it has refused to implement military reform and proven incapable of carrying out administrative reform [of the bureaucracy]."

In January, the Communist Party -- the most popular party in Russia, according to opinion polls -- tried and failed to put a no-confidence vote on the Duma's agenda. The Duma is dominated by centrist parties that support President Vladimir Putin, and as long as the Kremlin is satisfied with the government's performance they are unlikely to disagree.

 

The Associated Press, April 28, 2003

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