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Yeltsin concessions may scrap no-confidence vote
October 21, 1997
Web posted at: 8:16 a.m. EDT (1216 GMT)
MOSCOW (CNN) -- Boris Yeltsin got encouraging news from the opposition on Tuesday in his bid to scrap a parliamentary no-confidence vote scheduled for Wednesday. A decision from leaders in the Communist-dominated Duma, the lower house of parliament, could come later in the day.
"The president took steps to meet practically all our demands. After a normal conversation has started, I think there will be a positive decision," Nikolai Ryzhkov, head of a party allied with the Communists, told reporters after a meeting with Yeltsin, who has appealed to the State Duma to drop the no-confidence vote.
Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov, whose party -- the largest opposition group -- initiated the no-confidence vote first debated last week, echoed Ryzhkov's optimism. After the Kremlin meeting he said the no-confidence motion was likely to be dropped.
Yeltsin and the parliament have been sparring for weeks over the 1998 budget and other key issues such as land reform and a new tax code.
Describing the importance of resolving the political dispute, Yeltsin said Tuesday, "Tomorrow will become a very important day. It will determine whether political stability will continue in the country or whether it will end and we will have a fight."
Communists to Yeltsin: Put it in writing
Zyuganov says he wants to see in writing concessions offered on Monday by the president and Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin. Yeltsin and Chernomyrdin pledged to hold regular meetings with parliament leaders and to convene a round table of 23 political leaders to discuss controversial issues such as land reform.
They also agreed to an opposition demand to give parliament more access to the state-run media. Legislators have frequently complained that TV coverage of parliament is biased and unflattering.
The Communists and other hard-liners in parliament argue that Yeltsin's proposed 1998 budget is too austere. They would like to increase state funding for the military, agriculture, pensions and other social programs.
Parliament debated the no-confidence motion last Wednesday, but put off a vote for one week following intervention by Yeltsin.
If the Duma passes one no-confidence vote, it will not require any action by Yeltsin. But if a second no-confidence vote is passed within 90 days, then Yeltsin must either dismiss his government or the Duma.
Such a scenario is still considered a long shot, but the current dispute could escalate into a genuine crisis if the Duma passes two no-confidence motions.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Special section:
- Message Board: Russian parliament debates no-confidence vote
- Newsmaker Profile: Viktor Chernomyrdin - Russian Prime Minister
- Newsmaker Profile: Boris Yeltsin - Russian President
Related stories:
- Yeltsin no-confidence vote delayed - October 15, 1997
- Yeltsin scolds Russian lawmakers for ignoring reforms - October 3, 1997
- Yeltsin fires defense minister over stalled reforms - May 22, 1997
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- Russian Law and Politics - extensive information including the Russian constitution
- Interfax - Russian News Service
- Russian Government Internet Network
- Russia Today
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