But even he sees no alternative to the lacklustre, vote-shedding leadership of Mr Zyuganov.

ECONOMIST: Boris Yeltsin��s unruly brood

But Mr Zyuganov's grey personality and hoary simplicities turn off many voters.

ECONOMIST: A Russian coronation | The

He spurned an approach from Mr Zyuganov in favour of a chat with Mr Kiriyenko's predecessor as prime minister, Viktor Chernomyrdin, who has escaped blame for the current crisis though his own administration helped bring it about.

ECONOMIST: Russia��s nightmare