Yuri Luzhkov Offers Vladimir Putin To Head Centrist Political Party

Yuri Luzhkov, leader of the Otechestvo organisation and Moscow Mayor, advocated that President Vladimir Putin head the centrist political party being set up in Russia. Speaking Saturday at the press conference upon the completion of the first stage of the Otechestvo third congress Luzhkov referred to "examples of civilised countries," where heads of state are leaders of political parties. Speaking about the unification of centrists Luzhkov emphasised that currently "we can speak about the tripartite union of Otechestvo, Yedinstvo and All Russia. According to him, this union "intends to form a centrist-type party to renounce revolutionary, radical and often avalanche actions for Russia." Yuri Luzhkov said the party will operate through "dialogue, compromise and achievement of civil accord."