Russia's Social Democrats Support President Putin

Russia's social democrats support the policy of President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation, former USSR president Mikhail Gorbachev said here today. Gorbachev was addressing the constituent congress of a new Russian social-democratic party that will comprise two former social-democratic parties. One of them is headed by the former Soviet leader. The President is guided in his activities by Russian national interests and the interests of most Russians, also aspiring for cooperation with other countries of the world, Gorbachev went on to say. Today's constituent congress involves over 700 delegates representing all Russian regions. Delegations of socialist and social-democratic parties from 16 European countries are also taking part in the work of the congress. In his speech, Gorbachev, who would be expected to head the new party, stressed that Russian social democrats opposed extremist aspects of statist Communism and radical liberalism, adhering to the so-called third national-development concept. According to Gorbachev, those, who have suggested the creation of an integral Russian social-democratic organization, advocate a massive and powerful party that would express the interests of the middle class.