Russian Billionaire Aims To Slam-Dunk Putin

Billionaire Aims To Bring Down Putin

Amanda Walker, Moscow correspondent
A Russian billionaire is among those rivalling Vladimir Putin in the upcoming presidential elections.
Mikhail Prokhorov is Russia's third richest man and he believes he has the answers to the country's problems. On the campaign trail he told Sky News he is the polar opposite of Prime Minister Putin.
Politicians in sporting photo opportunities are normally cringeworthy affairs - not so with Mikhail Prokhorov.
Removing the tie and rolling up the shirt sleeves will not suffice - he swapped his suit for an Adidas tracksuit to show off some pretty impressive ball skills with schoolchildren in Moscow.
Described as Russia's most eligible bachelor, he is aiming to become its most powerful politician.
He claims to have an obsession with Russia's future that could rival his obsession with basketball.
At 6ft 8ins he is well suited to the sport. As Russia's third richest man he is also well placed to own a team. He is majority owner of the New Jersey Nets - fellow owner rapper Jay-Z holds less than 2%.
Mr Prokhorov's appeal lies with young professionals and the emerging middle class but resentment of Russia's uber-rich oligarchs means he is unlikely to win over the masses.
A glossy campaign video shows a host of internet savvy bright young things, enamoured with Mr Prokhorov's manifesto - it is clear who he is targeting with his proposals of political reform and greater cooperation with the EU.
But he is widely seen as less of a challenge to Mr Putin and more of a prop - a safe candidate to lend legitimacy to the presidential elections.
Asked if he is a Kremlin project, he replies: "This question bothers everyone quite strongly. I have always answered that I am my parent's project.
"They taught me to make decisions independently and always face the consequences of my actions.
"I have an absolutely different background, different political views and philosophy of life to Putin's.
"I am supported by those people who earn money, who work; people who sustain the whole country. Putin is supported by bureaucrats and state-run corporations."
Mr Prokhorov has lent his support to the current protest movement but he is being careful not to challenge Mr Putin directly.
The last oligarch to do that was Mikhail Khodorkovksy who is currently in prison after two trials which his supporters say were part of a campaign to punish him for straying into the political arena.
Mr Prokhorov says Mr Khodorkovsky's mistake was mixing business and politics - so for now he has stepped back from his lucrative aluminium, gold and banking activities.
He says he is confident he can beat Mr Putin and has promised to get married if he does - the current consensus is that he will not be losing his bachelor status anytime soon.