Gorbachev urges Putin to step down

Mikhail Gorbachev, who resigned as Soviet president 20 years ago, has urged Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin to follow his example and step down.

Mr Gorbachev says if Mr Putin stepped down now he would be remembered for the positive things he did during his 12 years in power.

The former Soviet leader spoke on Ekho Moskvy radio today after a demonstration against Mr Putin drew tens of thousands in Moscow. It was the largest show of public outrage since the protests in 1991 that brought down the Soviet Union.

The 80-year-old Mr Gorbachev carries little weight in Russia today. And while many Russians have grown weary with Mr Putin’s rule, his opponents are split among numerous groups. They have no clear leader who could challenge Mr Putin in the March presidential election.