MOSCOW. Oct 11 (Interfax) - One of the main reasons behind a recent rise in food prices is a merger of economic and political "monopolism", leader of the Yabloko party Grigory Yavlinsky told reporters on Thursday.

"The sharp rise in food prices is not ordinary inflation," he said.

In Yavlinsky's opinion, the price hike was provoked by the actual creation of a mono-party system, resulting in businessmen-monopolists loyal to the "party of power" and state officials becoming increasingly uncontrolled.

Another reason is the growth of corruption and the amount of bribes extorted from businessmen left without political cover.

This owes to the uncertainty of state officials who don't know what will happen in half a year, after presidential elections, Yavlinsky said.