MOSCOW, June 28 (RIA Novosti) - Well-known economist Sergei Glazyev, a founder of the Homeland election bloc, said today he intended to revitalize the organization, which is now on the verge of a split.
Sergei Baburin, a deputy speaker of the State Duma (the lower chamber of the Russian parliament), was dismissed from the Homeland parliamentary faction Tuesday for actions "designed to split the faction and undermine its authority." Baburin replied with a threat, saying that the People's Will party he led would raise the issue of removing the Homeland party from the bloc.
"Baburin became embroiled involved in dirty political intrigues," Glazyev told RIA Novosti in a telephone interview from the United States. "If he wants to save face, he should give up his powers as a deputy too."
Glazyev, Baburin and Homeland leader, Deputy Duma Speaker Dmitry Rogozin were key figures in the election bloc at the December 7, 2003 parliamentary elections. However, since the bloc enjoyed considerable success at the polls, it has been constantly torn by differences between the leaders of the parties in the coalition.
Glazyev, who assumed the faction's leadership under a pre-election agreement but was then dismissed, promised that he would contribute to restoring the shattered alliance.
"I will try to revive the Homeland bloc for the last time," he said. Glazyev added he would try to unite all the bloc's forces and later transform them into a united political party.
A source in Homeland said Glazyev had sent a letter to Rogozin that contained proposals on how to revitalize the bloc. They included the "political repentance" of Rogozin's supporters for removing Glazyev from the post of the parliamentary faction's leader, the introduction of a board that would manage the faction, and the transformation of the bloc into a united party, Homeland.
Rogozin, who has monopolized the political brand Homeland, had previously proposed giving his former associates only low-ranking posts in the party.
