Monday, Nov. 26, 2012
Bo Xilai
Bo Xilai, 63, the former Communist Party boss of the Chinese megacity of Chongqing, was a rising political star until a deputy fled to a U.S. consulate, setting off a scandal that revealed corruption, abuse of power and the murder of a British businessman by Bo's wife. Bo was favored to win a seat on China's all-powerful Politburo Standing Committee this fall after having boosted his popularity by reviving Mao-era culture, expanding social safety nets and pushing an aggressive and sometimes brutal crackdown on organized crime. But his flashy initiatives angered rivals in China's buttoned-down Communist Party. He now awaits trial on multiple criminal charges, and a long prison term is expected.