The head of Russia’s sole officially recognized anti-war party 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 disqualification from the upcoming parliamentary elections. The Supreme Court’s recent decision to exclude the post-Soviet liberal party Yabloko from the September polls, which translates to “apple” in Russian, was met with defiance by leader Nikolai Rybakov. He expressed that the ruling was a reflection of the authorities’ unease over the party’s resonance with voters in calling for an end to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Rybakov emphasized the significance of the overwhelming public support they have garnered, stating that it outweighs the court’s verdict. Following the court’s decision, a crowd of hundreds of supporters gathered outside, chanting “shame” loudly enough for their voices to resonate within the courtroom. Once a prominent liberal voice in the parliament and a vocal critic of the government, Yabloko now holds only a few regional seats and lacks representation in the State Duma, the lower house of parliament dominated by the Putin-backed United Russia party.
Despite the anticipated continued dominance of United Russia in the upcoming elections, Rybakov remains optimistic about Yabloko’s potential if allowed to participate. The party is currently challenging the Supreme Court ruling, which alleged undisclosed campaign support from Western sources among other accusations, all of which Yabloko denies.
In a statement from his office adorned with a handwritten sign urging peace, Rybakov reiterated his determination to remain in Russia, rejecting the idea of fleeing despite stringent censorship laws and legislation that has prompted other dissenting voices to leave the country or face prosecution. He stressed the importance of effecting change from within Russia, emphasizing the need to address the political landscape by staying active in the country.
While public sentiment against the war is challenging to gauge due to governmental controls on dissent, a survey by the Levada Center indicated a decline in support for the actions of the Russian armed forces in Ukraine, dropping to 66% in July, the lowest level since February 2022. Rybakov highlighted that Yabloko’s concise call for peace and a flourishing democratic Russia has resonated with numerous new supporters, underscoring a substantial segment of society’s desire for an end to the conflict.
The party has witnessed a surge in social media engagement, with videos circulating in support of Yabloko. These clips often depict individuals, without overt political messaging, holding apples to signify their voting preference for the upcoming election or dancing to Russian tunes referencing apples, reflecting a groundswell of support for the party’s message.