Grigory Yavlinsky's manifesto:
Elections versus a Revolution
“Do not wean people away from
elections”
Systematic discrediting of elections
is as dangerous as election fraud
Press Release
September 11, 2011
Grigory Yavlinsky: “Do not wean people away from elections”
Systematic discrediting of elections is as dangerous as
election fraud
Dr.Grigory Yavlinsky, one of the founders of the YABLOKO
party topping the party list at parliamentary elections, made
a programme statement at the 16th Congress of YABLOKO. The
first round of the Congress finished on Sunday in the Moscow
Region.
Addressing in his final speech "colleagues, associates
and opponents" of YABLOKO Grigory Yavlinsky noted that
the coming elections to the Russian parliament (December 4)
are "widely considered being a sham and people are called
for various forms of boycotting". "We understand
this position, and we respect it, as well as many other political
positions, but we do not share it,” he stressed.
Yavlinsky innumerated the reasons why the YABLOKO party had
decided to run in the elections.
"First, we accept only elections and not any other way
for the change of power in the country”. "We will never
support any rebellion, coups-d’etat or revolutions, because
we know that they will lead to exactly the same situation
in which we are now or it will even get worse,” Yavlinsky
said. “This can change only names [of persons in power], but
the essence will remain the same. We are going to change the
system and it can be done only through elections,” he added.
"Second, today YABLOKO is the only registered independent
political party that will always stand in defence of liberty,
equality before law and the inviolability of private property,"
Yavlinsky stressed. "We are convinced that these values
are absolutely consciously shared by the majority of our fellow
citizens and it would be a betrayal on our part if we deprive
them of chance to make their choice,” he noted.
"Third, we believe that calls for a boycott voters have
been hearing for many years are a serious obstacle to the
development of a modern society in our country." According
to Yavlinsky, "Systematic discrediting of elections is
as dangerous as election fraud. Because if you do not vote,
then why should you fight fraud? "
"Fourth, YABLOKO is in opposition to [Prime Minister]
Putin and [President] Medvedev, and we firmly dismiss all
the attempts to picture us as a “tame” opposition." "Constructive
opposition and tame opposition are different things. The opposition
must engage in a dialogue," he said.
"We have ready alternative socio-economic development
plans for reforms in education and healthcare, the judiciary
and so on. Finally, we have developed the "Land-Housing-Roads"
project. Its implementation could become a starting point
for radical positive changes in Russia. We want this to become
a reality".
"These are the reasons why we are running in the elections.
Our position is clear ," he stressed.
Referring to "all who are now inclined to boycotting
the election in some form" Yavlinsky noted that “if YABLOKO
were withdrawn from the elections, we would not urge the voters
to boycott." "We were removed from elections many
times, but we have never called to boycotting elections, though
we discussed it and came to the conclusion that it was not
simply meaningless but also extremely dangerous," he
said.
"I am not going to tell you now that low turnout and
spoiled ballots is the most comfortable situation for further
fraud. It is clear to everyone. I'll speak about another thing.
What will change in the country on the 4th of December if
a person did not come to the polling station or torn his ballot?
Nothing will be changed this way," Grigory Yavlinsky
stressed.
"What the authorities will do? Do you think that on
seeing the turnout is low and 10 per sent of ballots are spoiled
they will repent of their sins and cancel the result of the
voting and conduct fair elections? No. Authorities will do
nothing,” Yavlinsky said. “And what will do those who have
called for a boycott? Well, probably some public statements
will be made. The gap between the state and the society will
increase. Sooner or later, the only solution will be a revolution
or, more likely, a coup d’etat. But everything will remain
the same. The system will not change. "
"Today I am asking all those who are calling for a boycott
of the elections to re-evaluate their position. Is not too
late to tell the voters that in reality all depends on them.
There are well-known public politicians, journalists, publicists,
political scientists and experts among you and people listen
to your opinion. You can bring millions of thoughtful and
self-confident people to the polling stations, you can help
them feel again that they are citizens," Yavlinsky said.
"Spare no effort for this, and there is time still,
and on December 4 you will see results that will raise your
hopes. You will realise then that the main problem is not
fraud, but voters’ apathy," he stressed.
"I'm not asking you to support YABLOKO, I am asking
about a different thing. Help people to overcome the indifference,
do not wean people away from elections and when your party
will be on the electoral ballot, people will not spit on the
next elections, but come and vote. And this will be a real
democracy! " Yavlinsky said.
When applying for support "to the present, former and
future supporters of YABLOKO”, to all those who share basic
democratic values that lie in the foundations of the ideology
and policies of the YABLOKO party, Grigory Yavlinsky assured
that YABLOKO "is always ready to cooperate. "We
are ready to accept any constructive proposals and initiatives
and, in our turn, we are always willing to share our resources
and opportunities," he said.
"I am asking you to join this appeal and actively support
it,” Yavlinsky said.
In the final part of his speech he addressed "those
voters who are going abstain from voting in protest or think
how to spoil their ballots, as well as all those who are indifferent".
"I realise that for the past ten years many people have
lost faith that something may depend on their choice in Russia.
But it is not so! A lot depends on them," the politician
said.
Yavlinsky also noted that "these elections will bring
together several very different political parties".
"Regardless of what they promise, and probably they
will all talk about the same things, you, however, can make
your own correct choices... To do this, you should not only
listen to the promises, but to understand whose interests
this or that party actually protects,” he said.
"It's not easy. But if you want that something may depend
on you in your country, that something would change, you have
to solve this problem. We will try to help you here.”
Finally, Yavlinsky appealed "to all the thinking people,
liberal intelligentsia, leaders of political and social organisations,
journalists, all those who somehow affect or may affect public
opinion."
"I would like to stress that the main problem in the
country today is not fraud in the upcoming elections, but
growing indifference and even contempt of Russia’s citizens
to the institute of elections," Yavlinsky said.
"Let us fix it together! Let's return civic responsibility
to the people!" he called the public.
"The elections will take place. And YABLOKO will take
part in them! And it depends on the voters and certainly on
you, rather than from the authorities whether they are fair
and honest,” Yavlinsky noted.
"We are not advocating simply rotation of people in
power. We are for the change of the system of governing in
Russia! Russia demands changes! And we will do everything
we can for this,” he stressed.
