Jewish oligarch joins new Russian party

November 12, 2008

MOSCOW (JTA)—A prominent Russian-Jewish businessman has agreed to join the head council of a new political party in Russia, according to a statement by the party’s leader.

Anatoly Chubais has not commented publicly on his decision to join the Just Cause party led by Boris Titov, who also heads the leading umbrella group for Russian businesses.

Three parties that were marginalized and kept out of the government in parliamentary elections last year make up the party. The decision to disband those parties will come at the Just Cause party’s congress on Nov. 15, according to the Interfax news agency.

Chubais, who played a major role in the privatization of the Russian economy, headed the state-owned electricity monopoly for 10 years. In 2003 he resigned as chairman of one of the three parties that will come together to form Just Cause.

The parties were traditionally seen as politically conservative while advocating unabashed capitalism and market control.

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