Press Release, 11.06.2014
Sergei Mitrokhin took the decision not to run in the Moscow City Duma elections which will be held on September 14, 2014. Sergei Mitrokhin announced his decision at the meeting of Moscow YABLOKO Regional Council.

“After the liquidation of party lists and transfer to one-candidate constituency system a conflict of interests appeared. The list system united Chairman and the party as working for oneself means working for everyone. A large number of resources are spent on him [chairman] to the detriment of other candidates. And the Chairman himslef should work day and night and doesn’t have time to help other candidates,” explained YABLOKO leader. He said that he had planned to run in the Moscow City Duma elections within the party list system.

“I don’t want this conflict of interests. I suppose those who initiated the transfer to one-candidate constituency system count on it [the conflict]. I want to work for all the candidates. The success of party on the whole is more important for me than a mandate for myself,” he noted.

Though Mitrokhin explained that was not the most important reason. The main one was the deterioration of federal policy even in comparison with the year of 2009 when the latest Moscow City Duma elections took place.

“At that time there was some uncertainty in connection with attempts at liberalisation and modernisation. Now rough definiteness of movement to an approaching catastrophe succeeded uncertainty.”Resistance to such policy is a serious case which demands high efficiency. One can’t be detracted with other things even such important ones as the duty of a regional level deputy,” he said.

YABLOKO leader claims Moscow City Duma is not the place for federal policy and he plans to concentrated on preparation for the State Duma elections.