Statement by the Bureau of the Novgorod branch of Yabloko, 11.08.2025

Photo: Yabloko candidate Viktor Shalyakin / Photo by Novgorod Yabloko

On 8 August 2025, the Electoral Commission of the Novgorod Region refused to register Yabloko Party candidate Viktor Shalyakin for the Governor elections under the pretext of “insufficient signatures from municipal deputies”. We consider the refusal to register the only opposition candidate a “political order” aimed at depriving citizens of the right to choose.

The Novgorod branch of the Yabloko Party has participated three times in gubernatorial elections in the Novgorod Region: twice we nominated Chair of the regional branch Anna Cherepanova in 2017 and 2022, and Viktor Shalyakin in 2025. Three attempts to run in the elections resulted in three registration refusals due to inability to overcome the municipal filter [mandatory collection of signatures of municipal deputies in support of the nomination], which has become a loyalty filter [as most deputies belong to pro-government political parties].

The authorities of the Novgorod Region systematically use the municipal filter in gubernatorial elections to exclude real opposition from the electoral process.

The municipal filter does the following:

• obstructs the realisation of citizens’ electoral rights;

• [collection of signature of municipal deputies in support of nomination] is unachievable for a candidate independent from the authorities, as it requires support from deputies controlled by [the ruling] United Russia  [party]. In the Novgorod Region, no party except United Russia has the necessary number of its own municipal deputies [to provide signatures to their candidates]. United Russia virtually gives access to elections;

• creates the appearance of legitimacy whilst maintaining a factual monopoly on power.

The list of candidates agreed with the authorities, [the candidates] who do not intend to genuinely compete for the governor’s post, is needed to give Alexander Dronov’s “election” formal legality, but will not add legitimacy to him. Under such circumstances, it would be better to allot the 143 million roubles allocated in the Novgorod Region’s budget for elections towards social needs.

The Yabloko party has repeatedly demanded abolition of the municipal filter and systemic change to electoral legislation to develop political competition and democracy. The municipal filter should be excluded from gubernatorial election procedures; administrative selection of opponents not only limits competition but also humiliates Russian voters by depriving them of the opportunity to support an alternative in elections. We are confident that the only pass to power can be voters’ voices alone.

The Novgorod regional branch of the Yabloko Party continues the struggle in local elections in the Novgorod, Borovichi, Okulovka and Staraya Russa municipal districts to build open and honest government together with Novgorod residents.

In elections we will continue demanding conclusion of a ceasefire agreement [between Russia and Ukraine], release of political prisoners and return of rights and freedoms to Russian citizens.