Grigory Yavlinsky, economist and politician of 1990s with
the highest reputation arrived to the Vladimir region. Yavlinsky
was Vice-Premier of the Soviet government, deputy of the State
Duma of three convocations and former leader of the democratic
YABLOKO party.
The programme of Yavlinsky’s official visit Yavlinsky is
very tense: a meeting with the Governor of the region, negotiations
with the heads of the Electrocable plant in Kolchugino, a
lecture in the Vladimir branch of the Academy of the State
Service, press conferences and numerous interviews. Such high
interest to Yavlinsky is very easy to explain considering
Russia’s monotonous political landscape. Any alternative professional
view is in demand now by the thinking part of the Russian
society. Does the opposition have chances to destroy the political
monopoly of the [progovernmental] United Russia party? Why
do food-stuff prices fell in the developed countries but rise
in Russia? And why does the Kremlin once again issue licences
for mobbing of governors? An independent evaluation by an
authoritative expert on the key political and economic issues
leaves no comment.
DOES THE OPPOSITION HAVE A CHANCE?
Politician Grigory Yavlinsky: "Opposition is a necessary
element of a healthy organism, because it is the only way
to control the authorities. At present Russia lacks any serious
opposition. Not in the sense that there are no people who
do not agree with the present policies, but in the sense that
there is no political opportunity to express their views.
Because the opposition is efficient when it can peacefully
and within the framework of the law to prove that the authorities
are wrongdoing. The Russian opposition is completely devoid
of such an opportunity. That is why it has no opportunity
to control the authorities. The power becomes rotten and corrupt,
and the situation gradually comes to a deadlock.”
WHY ARE PRICES RISING?
Politician Grigory Yavlinsky: "Prices on food-stuffs
are rising, as there is very high monopoly [in this sector].
All retailers are connected with to each other, there is no
competition, and there is a very large criminal element in
this. Simply try to enter the market here in Vladimir with
your potato and announce a price two times lower than the
present. And then you'll understand why prices are rising.
And if the actors of the market agree to sell this potato
twice as expensive from tomorrow morning, well, try to keep
the old price then. You will see what they will tell you after
half an hour of such trade. And if you do not listen, you
know where it will end. Thus, bribery, monopoly, cuts on contracts
and lack of control – all this leads to a price rise. This
is simply robbery. Why is this happening? Because we have
a one-party system. Virtually, a single party controls everything.
All the directors of large stores are members of this party,
all the judges are members of this party and so on and so
forth. And in general all [the officials and civil servants]
are members of this party. "
WHAT CAN PUTIN DO?
Politician Grigory Yavlinsky: "He can instruct the Federal
Antimonopoly Service to find those in conspiracy agreements
and punish them. Well, they will do it. And prices on buckwheat
[so popular in Russia] will fall. But prices on beans may
grow tomorrow. And a day after prices on onions may rise and
so on. It will be endless.
WHO HAS ORDERED A HIT ON THE GOVERNOR?
Politician Grigory Yavlinsky: "In general mobbing is
a sign of a gang and weaknesses. Yesterday everything was
well, but today the man is eaten. This is a sickening, senseless,
hopeless, humiliating approach. It is clear why it is sickening.
But why is it senseless? For example, you have been building
a vertical of power for such a long period. Well, this implies
that you can summon a person and tell him to resign. He will
resign and you will say good-bye to him. But what’s the sense
of doing all this? As there are no elections. In 1990s you
had to prove to the people, that all such resignations and
performances were necessary. But today all this is not needed.
But there is weakness and fear. And nothing is clear. And
there are absolutely no criteria. And nothing functions. So,
[the simplest thing to do is] arrange what everyone enjoys
so much: scandal and dirt. "
