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Billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov to launch large-scale reforms if elected president

30 December 2011 03:21 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov pledged to launch large-scale reforms in many spheres if he is elected Russian president at the March 4 elections, APA reports quoting RIA Novosti.

The tycoon announced he would run for president in early December. This decision pits Prokhorov against Russiaâ€™s powerful Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, generally considered a shoo-in for another presidential term. Prokhorov must now collect two million signatures to get on the ballot.

According to points of Prokhorovâ€™s election agenda posted on his website, in case of winning the presidential polls, he would declare human rights, freedoms and democracy the key values and private property protection - the stateâ€™s priority.

The tycoon said he would restrict the presidential time in office by 10 years, restore direct elections of governors, reduce the party election threshold to 3 percent, ensure fair elections and ban absentee ballots. He said he would toughen criminal responsibility for election irregularities.

United Russia won the December 4 parliamentary elections that critics and independent observers said were slanted in favor of the ruling party. Thousands went out to protest the results they claimed had been rigged.

The authorities pledged to investigate all violations but denied that alleged ballot stuffing could have significantly changed the vote results.

Prokhorovâ€™s election agenda also includes an amnesty for those convicted of economic crimes. He would campaign against monopolies and price collusions, and lead a crusade against corruption in the law enforcement and judicial systems.

The agenda also includes measures to reduce administrative pressure on courts.

The businessman called for more investment in culture, education and healthcare, for getting rid of federal districts and for enlargement of regions, for land and army reforms and European integration.