Anatoly Chubais, the architect of Russia's 1990s privatizations and head of Rusnano, said the authorities can't stop anti-Kremlin street protests and predicted that the rallies could easily swell to half a million people.
"The process has began, and it cannot be stopped," Chubais said in an interview published in this week's issue of Itogi magazine.
"Even though the last march attracted only 30,000, not 100,000, that does not mean things are drying up," he said.
"There will be 10 more rallies of 3,000 people, and then suddenly a half a million people will gather," he said. "I am 100 percent sure of that! This train is not going back to the station."
He said the protest movement marked an end of an era of stability and served as a "testament to the emergence of the middle class."
When asked about his forecast for the coming years, Chubais was uncertain. He said anything was possible, from the peaceful, organic development of democratic institutions to large-scale social upheaval comparable with that of the 1990s.
Related articles:
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.
