Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Kasparov Won't Run for Russian Prez

Gov't foiled opposition's nominating meetings

By Lucas Laursen,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 13, 2007 9:22 AM CST

(Newser) – Former chess champ and Russian opposition leader Garry Kasparov won't be running for president this March, but not for lack of trying: Other Russia, his political party, was unable to book a Moscow conference hall due to government pressure on landlords, said his spokeswoman. Today is the last day Russian law permits parties to hold nominating meetings.

Kasparov stood no chance of defeating Dmitry Medvedev, President Vladimir Putin’s hand-picked successor, reports the AP. Opposition groups are routinely denied attempts to book meeting halls, and protest marches are often blocked or diverted to empty areas. Medvedev has already asked Putin to be his prime minister after the March election, allowing Putin to sidestep the presidential term limit.

In a file photo Garry Kasparov, Russia's most prominent opposition leader and former world chess champion is shown at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France, Wednesday, May 23, 2007.    Kasparov will not run in Russia's presidential election after authorities repeatedly blocked supporters' efforts to hold a nominating conference, his...
In a file photo Garry Kasparov, Russia's most prominent opposition leader and former world chess champion is shown at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France, Wednesday, May 23, 2007. ...   (Associated Press)
A flare illuminates the area as members of National Bolshevik Party protest near Central Election Commission headquarters in Moscow, on Monday, Dec. 3, 2007. Opposition leader Garry Kasparov, the ex-chess champion, denounced the election as the most unfair and dirtiest in the whole history of modern Russia. But President Vladimir...
A flare illuminates the area as members of National Bolshevik Party protest near Central Election Commission headquarters in Moscow, on Monday, Dec. 3, 2007. Opposition leader Garry Kasparov, the ex-chess...   (Associated Press)
Russian opposition leader Garry Kasparov speaks at the Third All-Russia Congress for Human Rights in Moscow, Russia, Monday, Dec. 10, 2007. (AP Photo/Sergey Ponomarev)
Russian opposition leader Garry Kasparov speaks at the Third All-Russia Congress for Human Rights in Moscow, Russia, Monday, Dec. 10, 2007. (AP Photo/Sergey Ponomarev)   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Russians March on Kremlin to Protest Putin

Russian Cops Pitch Tantrum Over 'Toy Protest'

Putin: Why I'm Running Again

All Signs Point to Runaway Election Fraud in Russia

Putin Offers to Talk to Protesters


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne