Alexei Melnikov’s channel on Dzen.ru, 22.05.2026

On 20 September 2026, Russia will hold elections to the State Duma, heads of regions, and legislative assemblies. We use the word “elections”, yet any clear-headed person will surely understand that our elections today — like the political process in our country as a whole — bear little resemblance to the hopes once placed in them, at the dawn of the new Russia.

For a party of peace and freedom, and life without fear — for Yabloko — this leads to one conclusion: forming a faction in the State Duma in September 2026 will not be possible. It simply will not be allowed. Even if the unlikely were to happen and Yabloko did manage to form a small faction in the State Duma, it would still be unable to exert any influence on votes on legislation, owing to its small numbers. The same applies to Yabloko’s legislative initiatives and plans, which, however necessary for our country, would have no chance of being adopted.

Such is the state of affairs in our country. This is not the fault of Yabloko or its voters; it is not “defeatism” or a lack of “fighting spirit” in pursuit of a positive result. It is a clear-eyed view of an unpleasant reality. Our entire political system is structured in such a way that a party of peace and freedom — Yabloko — has, for now, no place not only in the State Duma, but in the decision-making process of Russian politics altogether.

The most that could be done at this stage for Yabloko has been to preserve a political organisation that stands for peace and freedom, and to preserve hope for the people.

To speak of the forthcoming elections in these terms is to tell voters the truth: to avoid filling their heads with unachievable hopes, with things that will not happen at the September 2026 elections. This kind of honest conversation with people reflects respect for them, and a refusal to deceive. There is quite enough manipulation and dishonesty in Russian politics; Yabloko has not taken part in it, and I am confident it will not. Knowing how things stand, one must not tell people untruth. The price of doing so is the disillusionment, mistrust, and withdrawal from political engagement that follows.

Why, then, should Yabloko stand in the State Duma elections if there is no chance of entering it?

The first goal is to demonstrate to citizens that a peaceful, law-based alternative to current policy continues to exist in our country across all areas: the economy, domestic policies, and foreign policy. Our foremost goal is, of course, a ceasefire. It matters that people in this country can see that there is an organised political force which advocating it, with dignity and conviction and without recourse to insult, for this objectively necessary course of action for Russia.

The second goal is contact with people, the opportunity that an election campaign affords to talk with them, listen to them, and discuss together what needs to change in our country, and how. There is a sense in this country that the political class has become detached from ordinary people, cut off from the concerns of their everyday lives.

Here lies an opportunity for young Yabloko politicians to go through the school of elections (such as elections are today) to become known to voters and earn their respect. That experience will prove its worth.

One might say that Yabloko’s 2026 election campaign is a campaign of hope, a campaign staking a claim on the future. It is important to preserve and strengthen the political organisation, to continue building support for Yabloko, and to continue earning the respect of voters.

What grounds are there for hope in the future? On what do they rest?

The situation in our country, and our country’s position in the world, are changing in ways that are both dramatic and tragic. Across almost every area of our lives, conditions are objectively worsening, and an awareness is ripening within society that something must fundamentally change. Which path to choose?

Consider that within our country, there is no one besides Yabloko offering a different, rational, measured, and realistic course, one that departs from the course that has brought Russia to its current plight. Those who charted that ruinous course — the leadership, their subordinates, and the party façade behind which they shelter — have fused and failed together: the CPRF, United Russia, the LDPR, A Just Russia, and New People, a bloc that is multicoloured in name only, and uniform in substance.

One must be able to wait for circumstances to change, to work with people in order to build support, and to believe in the attainability of peace and freedom, and life without fear in our country. Everything may yet work out for this country, if we take stock of the mistakes made since the early 1990s and recognise that many of the decisions taken were wrong.

Listen to the recent conversation with [journalist] Sergei Buntman — an open, honest exchange of opinions.

As for the September 2026 elections, as Yabloko leader Sergei Ivanenko once said: “In politics, there are things more important than elections”. Today is precisely such a moment.

Supporting Yabloko at the September 2026 elections is a step towards peace, freedom, and life without fear. It is, for now, a small step, but it is one that must be taken. Without it, moving forward will be difficult. Support Yabloko. Keep hope alive.