Communists' move to strip Yeltsin's immunity fails

March 29, 2000
Web posted at: 12:54 p.m. EST (1754 GMT)

In this story: Communists: Putin covering for Yeltsin 'They are angry after losing the election' Putin thanks regional leaders RELATED STORIES, SITES

From staff and wire reports

MOSCOW (CNN) -- The move to strip former Russian President Boris Yeltsin's immunity from prosecution for alleged corruption failed Wednesday when Russia's lower house of Parliament, the Duma, voted down the Communist-backed motion.

The Communists were able to garner only 136 of the 226 votes needed to succeed in what some perceived as a bid for revenge after the party lost Sunday's presidential election.

Yeltsin resigned abruptly on December 31, six months before his presidential term would have expired. Vladimir Putin, who had been appointed acting president, granted Yeltsin immunity on the same day.

Putin was elected president on Sunday, but was not on hand to see this first challenge to his new authority.

Yeltsin and his daughters had been under investigation for allegedly receiving kickbacks from a Swiss construction company that renovated the Kremlin.

Communists: Putin covering for Yeltsin

Some observers contend the immunity deal granted to Yeltsin and all past presidents of Russia -- of whom Yeltsin was the first -- was to protect Putin's mentor.

Defeated presidential candidate and Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov introduced the motion to strip Yeltsin's immunity. Although the Communist Party is the largest single faction in the Duma, it still failed to muster the necessary votes.

"How could he have any immunity. He should be held accountable before his people, accountable for all that he has committed, for destroying the country and its economy," Communist Party Deputy Yegor Ligachev said.

'They are angry after losing the election'

Former Prime Minister Sergei Kiriyenko characterized the Communist effort as an act of revenge for Zyuganov's loss.

"They are angry after losing the election and are trying to do something nasty. They can't hurt Putin, so they are trying to hurt Yeltsin," Kiriyenko said.

The failed motion, nevertheless, is a reminder that Putin needs the backing of Parliament. The Duma was elected in December and, constitutionally, can't be dissolved for one year.

Putin thanks regional leaders

As the Duma voted, Putin met some of Russia's powerful regional leaders and thanked them for their support in backing his presidential bid.

He gave little indication of his intentions for a new government, but said he will announce his new cabinet and set out his goals in early May.

Correspondent Mike Hanna, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

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