2002-05-17 09:11 MSK - Communists plan no confidence vote
MOSCOW - The Communist Party
of Russia is going to initiate a discussion for a no confidence vote in the
government within the next two weeks, Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov told
reporters. He called the current government “anti-people” and noted that “at
public rallies on May 1-9 attended by millions of people” left-wing forces in
different regions of Russia had called for the resignation of the cabinet of
ministers. Mr. Zyuganov expressed confidence that the left-wing factions of the
State Duma would collect the number of signatures necessary for the initiation
of a discussion in the State Duma for a no confidence vote. On April 3, the
Communist Party was stripped of its leadership in the State Duma’s key
committees. According to the proposals submitted by the centrist and right-wing
factions, the Communists lost their leading positions in 7 out of 9 committees
that were controlled by them. This was a heavy blow to the Communist Party, and
it lost much of its influence in the Duma. However, there are no social and
economic reasons for passing a no confidence vote now, and it is unlikely that
members of other factions will support this initiative. -RBC
