Yegor Kuzmich Ligachev
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Yegor Kuzmich Ligachev was a prominent Soviet politician who played a significant role in the Soviet Union's political landscape during the 1980s. He was instrumental in ensuring Mikhail Gorbachev's succession to leadership in March 1985, acting as second secretary and overseeing cadres and ideology.1
Ligachev was a staunch defender of the Communist Party's established order and apparatus. He often clashed with reformers like Boris Yeltsin and Aleksandr Yakovlev, particularly regarding the implementation of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring). While Gorbachev aimed to make the Soviet system more efficient, Ligachev sought to preserve its core structures and the party's leading role. His influence waned as Gorbachev's reformist agenda gained momentum.12
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RussiaThe Gorbachev era: perestroika and glasnostWhen he took office, Yegor Ligachev was made head of the party’s Central Committee Secretariat, one of the two main centres of power (with the Politburo) in the Soviet Union. Ligachev subsequently became one of Gorbachev’s opponents, making it difficult for Gorbachev to use the party apparatus to implement…
Read MoreWhen he took office, Yegor Ligachev was made head of the party’s Central Committee Secretariat, one of the two main centres of power (with the Politburo) in the Soviet Union. Ligachev subsequently became one of Gorbachev’s opponents, making it difficult for Gorbachev to use the party apparatus to implement…
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Soviet UnionGorbachev’s successionLigachev later confirmed that a power struggle had taken place and that the Soviet foreign minister Andrey Gromyko, the party control commission chairman Mikhail Solomentsev, and the KGB boss Viktor Chebrikov had ensured that Gorbachev outmaneuvered Grishin. Ligachev, even though he was not at that…
Read MoreLigachev later confirmed that a power struggle had taken place and that the Soviet foreign minister Andrey Gromyko, the party control commission chairman Mikhail Solomentsev, and the KGB boss Viktor Chebrikov had ensured that Gorbachev outmaneuvered Grishin. Ligachev, even though he was not at that…
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