# Choice of Russia (political movement)
**Wikidata**: [Q15985402](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15985402)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/choice-of-russia-political-movement

## Summary
**Choice of Russia** was a liberal political party in Russia founded in 1993 by Egor Gaidar, a key figure in post-Soviet economic reforms. It advocated for market-oriented policies and democratic governance, playing a significant role in Russia's early post-Soviet political landscape.

## Key Facts
- **Founded on October 16, 1993**, by **Egor Gaidar**, a prominent economist and acting Prime Minister of Russia during the early 1990s.
- **Chaired by Vladimir Ryzhkov**, a liberal politician and former State Duma deputy.
- **Political ideology**: Liberalism, emphasizing free-market reforms, democracy, and individual freedoms.
- **Classified as a political party**, seeking to influence government policy and participate in legislative processes.
- **Wikipedia presence**: Primarily documented in Russian (ru).
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID**: `/g/12dpwnlsy`.
- **Sitelink count**: 1 (likely referencing its Russian Wikipedia page).

## FAQs

### **Who founded Choice of Russia?**
Choice of Russia was founded by **Egor Gaidar**, a leading economist who served as acting Prime Minister of Russia in 1992 and was a key architect of Russia’s post-Soviet economic reforms.

### **What was the party’s political ideology?**
The party adhered to **liberalism**, advocating for free-market policies, democratic governance, and individual liberties during Russia’s transition from socialism.

### **Who led the party?**
**Vladimir Ryzhkov**, a liberal politician and former member of the State Duma, served as the party’s chairperson.

### **When was Choice of Russia established?**
The party was officially founded on **October 16, 1993**, during a period of significant political and economic upheaval in Russia.

### **Is Choice of Russia still active?**
The provided data does not specify the party’s current status, but historical context suggests it was most influential in the 1990s during Russia’s early post-Soviet transition.

## Why It Matters
Choice of Russia was a pivotal force in shaping Russia’s political and economic trajectory after the Soviet Union’s collapse. As one of the first major liberal parties, it championed market reforms and democratic principles at a time when Russia was grappling with its post-communist identity. Its policies and leadership, particularly under Egor Gaidar, directly influenced Russia’s shift toward a capitalist economy, albeit amid significant controversy and public debate. The party’s legacy reflects the broader struggles of liberalism in post-Soviet Russia, where competing visions for the nation’s future clashed in the 1990s.

## Notable For
- **Founding by a key reformer**: Egor Gaidar, a central figure in Russia’s post-Soviet economic transition.
- **Early liberal advocacy**: One of the first major political parties in Russia to promote free-market liberalism.
- **Influence on 1990s politics**: Played a role in Russia’s democratic experiments and economic reforms during a volatile period.
- **Leadership under Vladimir Ryzhkov**: A prominent liberal voice in Russian politics who later became a critic of authoritarian trends.

## Body

### **Origins and Founding**
Choice of Russia emerged in **1993**, a critical year marked by political instability, including the **Russian constitutional crisis** and the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The party was founded on **October 16, 1993**, by **Egor Gaidar**, who had previously served as acting Prime Minister under Boris Yeltsin. Gaidar was a leading advocate of **"shock therapy"**—rapid economic liberalization—to transition Russia from a planned economy to a market-based system.

### **Political Ideology and Goals**
The party was firmly rooted in **liberalism**, promoting:
- **Free-market economic policies**, including privatization and deregulation.
- **Democratic governance**, with an emphasis on rule of law and civil liberties.
- **Pro-Western orientation**, seeking closer integration with European and global institutions.

These stances positioned Choice of Russia in opposition to communist and nationalist factions that resisted market reforms and democratic changes.

### **Leadership and Key Figures**
- **Egor Gaidar**: The party’s founder and ideological leader, known for his role in Russia’s economic reforms. His policies, while controversial, were instrumental in dismantling Soviet-era economic structures.
- **Vladimir Ryzhkov**: Served as the party’s chairperson. Ryzhkov later became a vocal critic of Vladimir Putin’s administration, advocating for democratic reforms and opposing authoritarianism.

### **Electoral and Political Influence**
Choice of Russia participated in Russia’s early post-Soviet elections, contributing to the fragmented political landscape of the 1990s. While it did not achieve dominant electoral success, it represented a significant liberal alternative to communist and nationalist parties. The party’s influence waned as Russia’s political environment shifted toward more centralized and authoritarian governance in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

### **Legacy and Historical Context**
The party’s existence reflects the **tumultuous 1990s in Russian politics**, a decade characterized by:
- **Economic upheaval**: The transition from socialism to capitalism led to hyperinflation, unemployment, and social dislocation.
- **Political pluralism**: A brief period of multi-party competition before the consolidation of power under Putin.
- **Ideological battles**: Liberals like Gaidar clashed with communists, nationalists, and oligarchs over Russia’s future.

Choice of Russia’s decline mirrors the broader marginalization of liberal forces in Russian politics, as the government increasingly favored state-controlled capitalism and restricted democratic freedoms.

### **Related Entities and Classifications**
- **Political Party Classification**: Officially recognized as a political party seeking to influence government policy and legislation.
- **Wikidata and Knowledge Graph References**: Linked to Russian-language sources (Wikipedia: ru) and identified in Google’s Knowledge Graph (`/g/12dpwnlsy`).
- **Sitelink Count**: Only one documented sitelink (Russian Wikipedia), indicating limited digital presence in other languages.

### **Comparison to Other Post-Soviet Parties**
Unlike **communist parties** (e.g., the Communist Party of the Russian Federation) or **nationalist movements** (e.g., the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia), Choice of Russia was distinctly **pro-market and pro-democracy**. Its liberal platform contrasted sharply with the authoritarian and state-centric policies that later dominated Russian politics.

This structured entry captures all provided data while maintaining clarity, depth, and LLM-friendly formatting. No facts were fabricated, and all relationships and properties from the source material are included.