MOSCOW — “The government’s goal is to form a powerful anti-oligarchic coalition by 2008 and prevent a state coup,” Sergei Markov, director of Political Studies Institute, told reporters on Tuesday.

Valery Khomyakov, chairman of the National Strategy Council, and Maxim Dianov, director of the Institute for Regional Problems, have supported their collegue, the Vremya Novostei newspaper reported. They even hinted at the possible head of the hypothetic junta – Alfa Group chairman Mikhail Fridman.

The latest political developments highlighted a standoff between the ruling regime and big capital, Dianov said. Russian President Vladimir Putin had warned foreign investors not to meddle in political activities inside Russia. Russian businessmen did not like his remarks, and some of them sought to spoil the President’s image. Reports appeared in foreign newspapers about Putin’s alleged role in financial scandals.

“Later, big businessmen, including Alfa Group managers, attacked Russia’s political course, stressing the necessity for a new political party and participation in elections. Oleg Sysuyev, deputy chairman of Alfa Bank’s board of directors, joined the Committee 2008,” Dianov said. In the latest twist of the standoff, Putin announced his new social program, which was unlikely to delight oligarchs, the expert added.

Markov, of the Political Studies Institute, agrees that the alliance between oligarchs and radical left-wingers would pose a real threat to stability in the country. “The alliance between Berezovsky, Gusinsky and Khodorkovsky and left-wingers has been taking shape for some time already, but Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov and his supporters are not yet enough corrupt and immoral to join those who see Russia as an occupied territory and its people as the subject of exploitation. That’s why oligarchs will have to seek an alliance with radicals,” Markov said.

“Big business has several methods to get into power. It’s buying up the regions and bribing authorities, buying up energy resources and controlling the media,” says Khomyakov at the National Strategy Council. So far, those assets remain in the hands of government officials, and “buying up and bribing” is impossible unless the authorities are corrupt, the newspaper says.

Putin himself doesn’t rule out an oligarchic coup against him. Asked about this possibility in an Israeli TV interview in April, the Russian President said: “I think those who violate laws and want to return Russia to old times, would like this.”

Meanwhile, Kremlin spin doctors have lifted the veil of secrecy surrounding the so-called “Successor” operation. It appears they want Russian people themselves to choose between two candidates. “In any case, the election will be won by Putin’s successor, but it would be desirable if people were involved. Let voters themselves decide which of the two candidates they like better. This would help develop political pluralism in Russia and strengthen the party system,” Markov commented.