Friends, a congress of the [ruling] United Russia party took
place two days ago. It was an expected event, and looked like
nothing new happened. In fact many people expected such an
outcome [with nomination of Putin for President and Medvedev
for Prime mkinister]. But I should tell you that, except for
some nuances, the main thing was that a new political
reality has emerged. In the essence this implies
that a system created during Putins presidency implies that
it should be maintained for another 12 years, and perhaps
24 years, that is, until 2036.
This is a very important and serious thing. Why? Because
if this system does not change, then it will impossible to
amend or rebuild it a few years. And we can influence
the developments only within a very short period - in 2.5
months through elections to the State Duma. Whatever they
are! And at presidential elections that come in six months...
We should show that there is an alternative for the
country at these elections. And yet I am stressing
the word yet here - we can do it! And YABLOKO offers such
an alternative.
I do not advise those who are against the United Russia party
to vote for the Communists. Today, the influence of the Communist
Party in the current government is already quite large, and
if this influence grows at the expense of the votes cast in
favour of the Communist Party, it will result in deterioration
of the situation.
Many people may think that forecast that the system will remain
for 24 years is a large exaggeration... But I think that if
an alternative right is not announced right now, the system
will be maintained for a very long period. And maybe forever!
I would like just to remind you, especially to the young people
who are now 20-25 years old, that people thought in the same
way in 1917. They thought how it could be possible that the
system created by the Bolsheviks would last for a long time?
It looked absolutely unnatural. But this "unnatural system"
lasted almost 100 years! Generations were born and died during
this period. And we still have been paying for many events
associated with that era.
So I would like to once again draw your attention to the following:
there is an alternative, it is clear. It's
not the question that some people may be dissatisfied with
YABLOKOs or my actions, I partially admit them and partially
may argue about this. This is not that important now. But
it is important that we have to show that there is
a democratic alternative to the present system. And
we still have this opportunity, still we have it
And now about the practical side of it. It is absolutely
necessary that at least 70 per cent of voters come to the
polling stations! And so that the number of ballots,
say, for YABLOKO, should be large. Not because everyone should
love YABLOKO, but because the situation in the country it
is so bad and dangerous. We did everything we could and as
able, to give you this alternative. Today you have such an
opportunity. I am stressing once again: if 70 per cent of
voters will come to the polling stations and vote, then YABLOKO
has a chance to get many votes. And in this case, we will
be able to strengthen this result and participate in the presidential
elections... It is high time to say that we do live in this
country and we should stop only disputing and complaining
[about our life] in the Internet. We have a real opportunity
to influence politics!
I have already told you about this in my Manifesto. But it
was a few weeks ago, and then the situation did not seem that
bad. Now, after it has become clear that what we have today
will remain virtually forever, I once again would like to
emphasise the main idea of the Manifesto.
Everyone should take part in the voting and make his
or her deliberate and responsible choice.
There may be no other possibility for this further!
