RUSSIA: ELECTIONS: COMMUNIST VICTORY APPEARS ASSURED

(19 Dec 1995) Russian/Eng/Nat

The votes are still being counted in Russia, but the Communists' victory appears assured.

The strong showing of the far left and far right has dealt a harsh blow to President Boris Yeltsin's plans for reforms.

Yeltsin and his Prime Minister, Victor Chernomyrdin, met this morning amid speculation about what changes will need to be made in the light of their electoral battering.

Senior cabinet changes are likely to be the price demanded by the Russian electorate's stinging rebuff to Yeltsin and Chernomyrdin's policies.

With their new found mandate, the communists and nationalist hard-liners are looking for the head of Foreign Minister Andrei Kozyrev.

Meeting the British Ambassador in Moscow today, Kozyrev hinted that changes could be expected.

SOUNDBITE: (In English)
They should be taken into account very seriously also in foreign policy and personally by politicians.
SUPER CAPTION: Andrei Kozyrev, Russian Foreign Minister

Kozyrev came under constant attack by the former Duma for what they saw as his weakness in Russia's policy in the former Yugoslavia.

He's now seeking an urgent meeting with Yeltsin to discuss his future.

SOUNDBITE: (In English)
I have worked for five years with the President and I think I owe him at least to be prudent and my respect for the President just dictates to me first to see him and discuss all the things with him and only after that take final decision and make it public.

SUPER CAPTION: Andrei Kozyrev, Russian Foreign Minister

Leading democrat Grigory Yavlinsky is trying to put a brave face on the disappointing showing of his party, Yabloko. It is set to come fourth, securing less than ten per cent of the vote.

At a press conference today, Yavlinsky laid the blame for the communists' victory firmly at the door of the President and Prime Minister.

SOUNDBITE: (In Russian)

Poverty and destitution grows daily in this country. The government is creating a political base for the communist and nationalist movements, that's quite clear. The present elections are the most precise indicator of the direction in which the domestic and economic policies are leading.

SUPER CAPTION: Grigory Yavlinsky, Yabloko

Yavlinsky's already declared his candidacy in presidential elections next June.
He says he's hopeful the result then will be different, and that the state of the economy would not be as influential.

Basking in victory, Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov laid out his programme to reporters. Not wanting to produce too many shocks before the June elections, Zyuganov emphasized stability.

SOUNDBITE: (In Russian)
We want any form of change in policy to be sensible and not lead to any shocks or obstructions. The country is already so tired from all these shocks but the course has to be corrected so it becomes profitable to work.

SUPER CAPTION: Gennady Zyuganov, Communist Party

Hard-line leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky, the surprise of the election again this year, also called for changes but his were a little more extreme.

SOUNDBITE: (In Russian)
We want an immediate end to aid to the CIS, only by world prices from now on. Also the withdrawal of troops from the Caucasus, and the age for call-up raised to 25. At the age of 18 our young men are not ready for the army.

SUPER CAPTION: Vladimir Zhirinovsky, Liberal Democratic Party

Observers will now be watching to see if President Yeltsin tries to defuse some of the anger voters aimed at his policies by moving towards the Communists. Such movement may hold the key to his chances of reelection next June.

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