The Federal Registration Service denied Great Russia registration on July 24, saying it had not paid state duty and that its regulations lacked a provision on the procedure for recalling candidates at elections. However the party, which consists mainly of former Rodina party members, insisted it had met all requirements.
Party leader Andrei Savelyev said Great Russia, which officially pursues a left-wing agenda, had made all changes needed for its documents to be registered.
The Great Russia party was established by members of the Rodina (Motherland) party, the nationalist movement Congress of Russian Communities, and the Movement Against Illegal Immigration. The new party's formal leader is Savelyev, while the de facto leader is Dmitry Rogozin, who led Rodina, which was banned over a nationalist campaign video.
The party says it has about 59,000 members and 62 regional branches. According to Great Russia, over 70% of its members are former members Rodina. Great Russia has plans to bring its membership up to 100,000.
