RYBKIN BLOC GAINS SUPPORT.

Duma speaker Ivan Rybkin’s left of center political bloc gained support from the Regions of Russia group June 8, Interfax reported. Rybkin said that his group now enjoys support from 25 political groups. But how much this means is unclear: The Regions of Russia group elected Rybkin its chairman after its previous head, Vladimir Medvedev, resigned yesterday. Medvedev, who is head of the petroleum producers’ union which is backing Chernomyrdin, said that his presence in the Regions bloc would be a conflict of interest.

Tax Reduction Party Registered.