Gorbachev: Russia's stability threatened

Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev says Russia’s stability is threatened by anti-democratic trends.

The lack of political competition, flawed elections, shrinking media freedom and rampant corruption have slowed Russia’s development, he said said in an article in Novaya Gazeta newspaper today.

Without directly mentioning Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, Gorbachev said that negative trends in the nation’s political life became particularly apparent in 2005-2006 – the time when Putin was serving his second presidential term.

Gorbachev said President Dmitry Medvedev correctly warned in his blog last month that the country is facing symptoms of stagnation, but criticised him for failing to propose how to improve the situation.