Tycoon-turned-political hopeful Mikhail Prokhorov quit the Kremlin-linked Right Cause on Thursday after he was ousted as leader in a power struggle inside the party.
The pro-business Right Cause was widely thought to have been a Kremlin attempt to woo liberal and opposition-minded voters ahead of State Duma elections in December. But it has taken a leftist slant in its campaigning under Prokhorov.
Prokhorov, who was unanimously voted party leader this summer, said the Kremlin's interference was the reason for his departure. He accused the Kremlin of engineering his ouster in a party vote Thursday and called Right Cause a "puppet party."
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
