The head of the sole anti-war party in Russia has affirmed his commitment to remain in the country and advocate for change, despite facing heightened pressure from the authorities resulting in the party’s disqualification from the upcoming parliamentary elections. The Supreme Court’s recent decision to exclude the post-Soviet liberal party Yabloko from the September ballot was motivated by concerns that its stance against the ongoing conflict in Ukraine was resonating with voters, according to party leader Nikolai Rybakov.
Rybakov emphasized that the overwhelming support from the public outweighed the court ruling, citing the vocal backing of hundreds of demonstrators outside the court chanting “shame” following the verdict. Once a prominent voice of liberalism in parliament and a government critic, Yabloko now only holds a few regional seats and lacks representation in the State Duma, which is predominantly controlled by the Putin-backed United Russia party.
Despite the anticipated dominance of United Russia in the upcoming election, Rybakov expressed confidence that Yabloko would pose a more formidable challenge if permitted to participate. The party is currently appealing the Supreme Court’s decision, which stemmed from allegations of undisclosed campaign funding from Western sources, among other accusations that Yabloko denies.
In an interview at his Moscow office, Rybakov stressed that the recent attention garnered by the party signaled just the beginning of a broader movement, urging people not to lose hope and emphasizing the importance of unity in the face of adversity. Despite the restrictive censorship laws and wartime regulations driving many dissenters out of the country, Rybakov affirmed his decision to remain in Russia, stating that meaningful change could only be achieved from within.
While gauging public sentiment on the conflict remains challenging due to government controls on dissent, recent polls indicate a decline in support for Russian military actions in Ukraine. Rybakov highlighted the growing support for Yabloko’s message of peace and a democratic Russia, underscoring the widespread desire within Russian society to end the war.
Social media has been abuzz with videos backing Yabloko, featuring individuals expressing their support through creative means such as holding apples as a symbol of the party or dancing to Russian songs referencing the party’s name. The grassroots momentum behind Yabloko serves as a testament to the shared aspirations of a significant segment of the population aligned with the party’s principles.