Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev has criticised the government for taking Russia backward and said the nation needs free elections and a fresh leadership.

Mr Gorbachev was speaking ahead of the 20th anniversary of August 19, 1991, hardline coup that briefly ousted him and precipitated the collapse of the Soviet Union.

He criticised the United Russia party led by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, which he described as a bad copy of the Soviet Communist Party.

He said Russia needs to restore direct elections of governors and single-ballot elections to the Parliament, which were abolished during Mr Putin’s presidency.

Mr Gorbachev also argued that the nation needs a change in leadership.

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