The head of the sole registered anti-war party in Russia has affirmed his commitment to remain in the country and continue advocating for change, despite escalating pressure from the authorities resulting in the party’s exclusion from the upcoming parliamentary elections. The Supreme Court’s ruling on Monday prevented the post-Soviet liberal party Yabloko, meaning “apple” in Russian, from participating in the September vote. Leader Nikolai Rybakov expressed to Reuters that the decision was a reflection of the government’s unease regarding the party’s stance on ending the prolonged conflict in Ukraine resonating with the electorate.
Rybakov emphasized the significance of the overwhelming public support received by Yabloko, stating that it far outweighed the court’s verdict. Following the ruling, hundreds of supporters gathered outside the court premises, chanting “shame” loudly enough to be heard indoors. Once a prominent liberal voice in parliament and a vocal critic of the government, Yabloko now holds only a few regional seats and lacks representation in the State Duma, which is predominantly controlled by the Putin-backed United Russia party.
While United Russia is anticipated to maintain its dominance in the upcoming election, Rybakov expressed that Yabloko would present a stronger challenge if permitted to participate. The party is currently appealing the Supreme Court’s decision, which was based on allegations of undisclosed campaign backing from Western sources and other accusations that Yabloko denies.
Rybakov, a 47-year-old opposition stalwart, affirmed his decision to remain in Russia despite stringent censorship laws and wartime regulations that have compelled numerous opposition figures and activists to either flee the country or face prosecution for expressing anti-war sentiments or dissent. He underscored the importance of effecting change from within Russia, stating that it was the only viable approach to transforming the country’s political landscape.
Public sentiment against the war is challenging to gauge due to stringent government restrictions on dissent. However, according to the Levada Center, a non-governmental pollster on Moscow’s foreign agent list, the percentage of Russians supporting their armed forces’ actions in Ukraine declined to 66% in July, the lowest level since February 2022.
Rybakov highlighted that Yabloko’s concise manifesto advocating for peace and a flourishing democratic Russia had attracted a significant influx of new supporters, indicating a substantial portion of Russian society’s desire for an end to the conflict. The party has garnered widespread support on social media, with videos featuring individuals displaying apples as a symbol of their voting preference for the upcoming election or dancing to Russian tunes referencing apples, showcasing solidarity with Yabloko’s message.