Brezhnev grandson launches new party

Andrei has inherited Leonid's ideals, not his eyebrows

By Caroline Wyatt BBC Moscow correspondent

The grandson of the late Soviet leader, Leonid Brezhnev, is founding a new communist Party in Russia in the hope of appealing to a younger generation.

Andrei Brezhnev told the BBC his grandfather would "turn in his grave" if he could see the current state of the old party.

Andrei Brezhnev seems convinced he can enthuse a younger generation, disappointed with the fruits of capitalism

Mr Brezhnev, a wealthy businessman, says his new party will stand for equality and social justice - though some in Russia are sceptical about whether it can attract new members.

It is hard to see where supporters for a new party would come from in Russia when supporters of the old Communists are dwindling in number.

But Andrei Brezhnev seems convinced he can enthuse a younger generation, disappointed with the fruits of capitalism.

His grandfather's 18 years in power may be seen by the West as years of stagnation, but they are remembered fondly by many older Russians as a time of stability.

Mr Brezhnev may not have inherited his grandfather's bushy eyebrows, but he has certainly inherited some of his Communist ideals - although Brezhnev the younger is also a wealthy businessman who sends his children to private school in England.

Equality, justice

Nevertheless, Andrei Brezhnev insists capitalism is not the best system and that the gap between rich and poor in Russia these days is far too wide.

He says his party will stand for equality and social justice.

It is being formed from three existing communist parties, none of which has been particularly successful in recent years.

It will compete against the established communists - the KPRF - led by Gennady Zyuganov.

His party's power has diminished considerably since Vladimir Putin came to office as president, and Andrei Brezhnev criticises the old communists as being all talk and little action.

Whether trading on a famous family name will be enough to attract young voters is open to debate.

Political analysts in Russia suspect not.

They say the young here are too busy trying to establish themselves in the new capitalist Russia to take much interest in politics - communist or otherwise.