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Yeltsin's pick for prime minister faces final Duma vote
Kiriyenko (left) and Yeltsin Kiriyenkos's chances for victory a tossup
April 23, 1998
Web posted at: 3:36 p.m. EDT (1936 GMT)In this story:
MOSCOW (CNN) -- On the eve of a showdown with his parliamentary opponents, President Boris Yeltsin summoned top lawmakers to the Kremlin on Thursday and appealed one last time for the confirmation of Sergei Kiriyenko as prime minister.
But if lawmakers stick to their guns Friday and turn down Yeltsin's nominee for a third time, the president is empowered under the Russian constitution to:
- Dissolve the legislature.
- Call early elections.
- Appoint Kiriyenko prime minister without parliamentary approval.
Amid pre-vote tensions, Yeltsin canceled a planned radio address to the nation on Friday. He normally uses such broadcasts to put across his views on important subjects.
Communists: 'We cannot vote for Kiriyenko'
In a voice filled with mock disgust, Yeltsin said he had phoned his archrival, Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov, and urged him to back Kiriyenko.
Yeltsin, right rear, has lobbied hard to get the State Duma to approve Kiriyenko as prime minister "As much as I didn't want to, I forced myself to call Zyuganov," Yeltsin said. "I told him, 'Think of the government, not about the party, not about personalities. (Think) about stability'"
Despite Yeltsin's plea, Communist deputies met Thursday and voted overwhelmingly to again oppose Kiriyenko.
"We cannot vote for Kiriyenko, because he represents the old course and the destructive policies of Mr. Yeltsin," Zyuganov said.
The Communists are the largest faction in the State Duma -- the lower house of parliament -- with almost one-third of the seats, but the party is split on whether to back Kiriyenko, and the Communists cannot block his confirmation by themselves.
They have been the most outspoken critics of the 35-year-old Kiriyenko, calling him too young and inexperienced to solve Russia's massive social and economic problems.
Improving chances?
Yeltsin has insisted that Kiriyenko, a former banker and energy minister, is the right man for the job and will breathe new life into economic reforms.
Yeltsin threw the government and parliament into disarray on March 23 when he fired the entire Cabinet, headed by longtime Premier Viktor Chernomyrdin. Yeltsin accused the Cabinet ministers of failing to improve the economy and living conditions.
Kiriyenko's prospects have been improving in recent days, but it's far from certain that he would get the outright majority, or 226 votes, needed for confirmation in the 450-seat Duma.
Three opposition parties that voted against Kiriyenko in the first two rounds are likely to give him their support Friday. They say it's more important to preserve the Duma than fight a losing battle over Kiriyenko's nomination.
Kiriyenko is more likely to win if lawmakers opt for a secret ballot. If they decide on an open ballot, then deputies will feel greater pressure to toe the party line. Lawmakers will decide whether to have an open or closed vote on Friday, shortly before the actual ballot.
Moscow Bureau Chief Jill Dougherty and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Newsmaker profile:
- Boris Yeltsin - Russian President
Related stories:
- Communist chief vows to defy Yeltsin over PM - April 22, 1998
- Russian parliament votes down Kiriyenko again - April 17, 1998
- Yeltsin nominee rejected on first try - April 10, 1998
- Russia's Duma to vote on new prime minister - April 10, 1998
- Communists threaten to block Yeltsin's choice for PM - March 29, 1998
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