Press Release, 14.09.2016

Twelve years of the State Duma without YABLOKO led to ruining of the Russian science and research. Such a statement was made by YABLOKO Chair Emilia Slabunova at an extraordinary meeting of the Moscow branch of the trade union of the Russian Academy of Sciences today.

According to Slabunova, the Russian Academy of Sciences, the country’s scientific community and the teaching staff of universities are in an extremely difficult position. Such a situation with science and research represent a direct threat to Russia’s national security.

She noted that the competitiveness of the state depended on the science and research.

Emilia Slabunova also voiced the party’s stance as far as the situation in the science and research is concerned. YABLOKO insists that spending on science and research should be at least 2 per cent of the GDP, and the independence of the Russian Academy of Sciences should be restored. The Federal Agency of Scientific and Research Organisations, which now virtually controls all processes in the Russian Academy of Sciences, must be subordinated to the Academy.

YABLOKO leader also spoke in favour of return of election of heads of scientific institutions.

According to Slabunova, support for researchers should be raised to international standards. Russian professors get pay 11 times less than their foreign colleagues.

Financing of science and research should be among the priorities of the state expenditures, she stressed. Slabunova also promised to defend the interests of the Russian science if the party gets into the parliament. Only consolidation of the professional community and its political lobby would improve the situation in science and make the position of scientists in the society worthy of the role and the mission that they carry out, Slabunova noted.

According to YABLOKO Chair, only 306 billion roubles were allotted in the national budget for science and research for 2016. This was equivalent to the cost of Kerch bridge [which has to connect Crimea and the Krasnodar Terriotory], “this is a disgrace to our country,” she said.

“Do we have such expensive bridges or such cheap science?” Slabunova asked rhetorically.

In August 2016, YABLOKO signed a cooperation agreement with the trade union of the Russian Academy of Sciences.