MOSCOW, August 26 (RIA Novosti) – Russian billionaire-turned-politician Mikhail Prokhorov on Monday dismissed as a “media hoax” rumors that he would soon quit politics.
The Izvestia daily said Monday, citing sources close to Prokhorov, that the billionaire was about to leave his Civil Platform party and was looking for a possible successor. The party’s press service refused to comment.
“Various media hoaxes do not surprise me anymore. They [the media] have been saying goodbye to me ever since I entered politics. I’m not going anywhere. I will remain in politics,” Prokhorov said.
He also confirmed intentions to run in elections to the Moscow legislature in 2014.
Prokhorov, 48, whose fortune Forbes Russia estimated this year at $13 billion, entered politics in 2011, unsuccessfully attempting to participate in the parliamentary elections. He also squared off against Vladimir Putin in last year’s presidential race, finishing third with about 8 percent of the vote.
Prokhorov has been keeping a low political profile since then, fighting allegations of being a Kremlin spoiler and insisting that he has focused on grassroots work, building a strong party for future elections.
