CHERNOMYRDIN URGED TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT.

A group of activists in St. Petersburg plans to nominate Viktor Chernomyrdin as a candidate in the presidential elections. The prime minister’s candidacy is also said to be on the agenda of a meeting of the "Russia is Our Home" movement scheduled for February 10. Yet the Russian media are speculating that Yeltsin and Chernomyrdin have struck a backstage bargain: both will put themselves forward as candidates and, after rallying the centrist vote, Chernomyrdin will step down in Yeltsin’s favor. (9)

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