MBH let go of the reins

29-year-old Alexander Solovyov became the new leader of the Open Russia movement

Mikhail Khodorkovsky stepped down as chairman of the Open Russia movement. He announced this at the conference of the movement, which takes place in Tallinn. As a result of the vote, 29-year-old Alexander Solovyov, the federal coordinator of Open Law, and in the past an assistant to State Duma deputy Dmitry Gudkov, became the new leader.

“First of all, I intend to build relationships with all other democratic movements. I want to show that the unification of the opposition forces is possible. This is my fix idea,” Solovyov told the BBC Russian Service after the votes were counted.

The fact that Khodorkovsky will leave the post of chairman of Open Russia was announced in early March. Then the executive director of the movement, Timur Valeev, noted that Khodorkovsky would retain the status of the founder of the movement with "pretty good powers" that would allow him to "influence the work of the movement without any problems for himself."

“Open Russia is not Khodorkovsky, but all of us. I am convinced that with our successful work we will be able to set an example for society, that we can build our future together, on our own, without leaders,” Khodorkovsky said.

Later, at a press conference, Khodorkovsky added that, as a member and founder of Open Russia, he plans to deal with issues of ideology and educational projects. “My next tasks are related to the development of communication channels with Russian society and international partners, politicians, with whom our country will still need to build relationships,” Khodorkovsky said.

Open Russia said that the movement considers it necessary to constantly change power. Simultaneously with the chairman of the "Open Russia" was elected and the Council of the movement, which included 11 people. Among them are Maria Baronova and Vladimir Kara-Murza, Jr.