Press Release, 1.07.2016

Famous Russian film director Alexander Sokurov addressed YABLOKO Congress with a welcoming speech and expressed his willingness to participate in the forthcoming parliamentary election from the party. The Congress will discuss the lists of delegates on July 2, and the results of the discussion will be announced on July 3.

Sokurov, who is in St.Petersburg, recorded a video message to delegates calling YABLOKO “the political community which is the most stable, most predictable, most experienced in [political] fights in this country”.

“The merit of YABLOKO before the society and to the democratic tradition is evident. You did not lose, did not betray your leader, you have gathered young, decent people around you, you have a new generation of party activists, there are young people [in your party]. You have brilliant policies in your ranks, you have outstanding politician Grigory Yavlinsky – a scientist, a parliamentarian, – with you, his experience is great, his knowledge is considerable. This person can be trusted,” Sokurov said.

In his speech, Sokurov also called YABLOKO to unite “all reasonable people, all the Russian democratic community around you”. “Differences in political agendas is nothing in comparison with solving the task of a decisive change in the life of our society for the better, in the direction towards democracy, humanism and education”, he stressed. In view of this Sokurov noted that he shared “Grigory Yavlinsky’s conviction that respect for the person is a great force.” “This logic follows an amazing Russian tradition that shaped our great literature. In this sense, Yavlinsky is connected with the traditions of Russian humanism. It is amazing and wonderful ,” Sokurov said.

He also urged YABLOKO to spare no effort in the fight against “totalitarian ideas of the modern Russian society”, so that “the ideology of compassion, mutual understanding and tolerance would strengthen in Russia”. Alexander Sokurov called YABLOKO to convince the next parliament that some of the adopted laws were “unnatural, illegal and aggressive” and revise them.