The head of the sole registered anti-war party in Russia has affirmed his commitment to remain in the country and advocate for change, despite escalating pressure from the authorities resulting in the party’s exclusion from the upcoming parliamentary elections. The Supreme Court’s recent ruling prohibited the post-Soviet liberal party Yabloko, meaning “apple” in Russian, from participating in the September vote. Nikolai Rybakov, the party leader, expressed to Reuters that the decision reflects the authorities’ unease over the resonance of their call to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine among voters.
Rybakov emphasized the significance of the substantial public support they currently enjoy, which was visibly demonstrated by hundreds of supporters chanting “shame” outside the court premises following the verdict. Once a prominent liberal voice in parliament and a government critic, Yabloko now holds only a few regional seats and lacks representation in the State Duma, where the Putin-backed United Russia party dominates.
While United Russia is poised to maintain its dominance in the upcoming election, Rybakov asserted that Yabloko would present a stronger challenge if allowed to participate. The party is appealing the Supreme Court’s ruling, which was based on allegations of undisclosed campaign assistance from Western sources, among other accusations that Yabloko refutes.
Despite facing stringent censorship laws and other restrictive wartime regulations that have compelled numerous opposition figures and activists to flee or risk prosecution, Rybakov affirmed his decision to remain in Russia. He stressed that effecting change and transforming the political landscape in Russia necessitates being within the country.
Although gauging public opposition to the war is challenging due to stringent state controls on dissent, a survey by the Levada Center revealed a decline in support for the Russian armed forces’ actions in Ukraine, dropping 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 has resonated with a growing number of supporters, underscoring the widespread desire within Russian society to halt the conflict.
Social media platforms have been abuzz with videos backing Yabloko, showcasing individuals, particularly young men and women, displaying apples as a symbol of their voting preference for the upcoming election or dancing to Russian tunes referencing apples, indicating a groundswell of support for the party’s message.