Press Release, 21.05.2017

YABLOKO Chair Emilia Slabunova participated in the Congress of Liberal International (LI) marking the 70th anniversary of the world federation of liberals. The Congress of the world federation of over 100 liberal and progressive democratic political parties was by over 200 liberal politicians – representatives of 65 parties from 56 countries, was held from 18 through to 21 May in Andorra. The YABLOKO party represents Russia in LI. Emilia Slabunova signed the new edition of the Liberal Manifesto on behalf of the party and hosted a session on the situation in Russia. The Congress elected Grigory Yavlinsky, Chairman of the Federal Political Committee of the party, honorary Vice-President of the LI.

Speaking at the session devoted to the situation in our country, Slabunova noted that what had been happening in Russia represented a systemic crisis affecting all spheres of life: economy, politics, social sphere, culture, management and psychology. It could be overcome only through the improvement of the political system and the change of power in elections, Emilia Slabunova noted.

She also stressed that YABLOKO considered giving honest assessments of the developments, bringing them to the public attention and offering an alternative be its task. This was reflected in the Party’s programme documents, statements, YABLOKO’s programme for the parliamentary elections 2016 Respect for an Individual. Following this goal the party nominated its candidate for the country’s presidency, and managed to form a large team with non-party candidates for parliamentary elections in 2016.

According to Slabunova, it was not easy to work as the opposition. “I came to the post of the party chair from regional politics. Eight of my colleagues were prosecuted for political reasons. The next day after returning from the congress, I should leave for Karelia to participate in the court hearings where the defendants are YABLOKO activists including Olga Zaletskaya, MP of the Karelian parliament. I would like to thank everyone who helped to rescue her from prison in the spring of 2015,” Slabonova said.

Photo from left to right: Emil Kirjas, LI Secretary General, Emilia Slabonova, YABLOKO Chair, Olga Radayeva, head of YABLOKO International Relations Department and Dr. Juli Minoves Triquell, LI President

Speaking about the possibility of improving the situation in Russia, the politician stressed that democracy could not be implanted, it should be nurtured and it should make its historical way. However, this process could be and should be influenced. To make the improvement come sooner, it would be necessary to get as much information as possible about how the countries of democracy live, how their political and democratic institutions work, how citizens’ rights are protected, as well as information on their living standards, Emilia Slabunova noted.

Abolishing of the visa regime between Russia and the EU could become an important measure here. If Russian citizens have an opportunity to see all the aforementioned with their own eyes, then they could make conclusions proceeding from such personal experience. YABLOKO raised this issue before the Russian authorities, she said.

According to Slabunova, if the EU could solve such problems as migration, the crisis of integration, expansion of the zone of terrorism, unemployment, and growth of influence of right-wing radical forces, this would be great importance for Russia too. “Our authorities have been actively exploiting the topic of the EU problems, trying to throw a scare into Russians “look, that’s where democracy leads to”. “As we are a democratic party defending the European path of development, it is important for us to show our voters that your problems are being resolved. Your democracies are several centuries old, and we are only at the beginning of the road. I am sure that we can do a lot with joint efforts,” Emilia Slabunova stressed.

Photo: Emilia Slabunova and Hans van Baalen, President of the ALDE party

Slabunova also participated in the work of the LI Executive Committee, which develops the organisation’s strategy for the near future, as well as the General Assembly of Liberal Women (INLW). YABLOKO’s leader also held meetings with the leaders of the LI and the ALDE party (the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats of Europe), of which YABLOKO is a full member.

The Congress adopted a new version of the LI key programme document – the Liberal Manifesto. Together with the other leaders of the member-parties who participated in the congress, Emilia Slabunova signed a new version of the document.

Photo: Emilia Slabunova signs the Liberal Manifesto

“I am proud that Russia is participating in this important process represented by the YABLOKO party,” Slabunova said signing the Liberal Manifesto. “All the liberal values discussed in the Manifesto are important for Russia, however, protection of human rights, developing of democratic institutions and ensuring freedom of information are particularly relevant for Russia at this stage. I am sure that the time will come when the Russian authorities will rely on liberal values and principles. We will spare no effort for this,” she said.

YABLOKO has been member of Liberal International since 1998 and participates in the development of joint liberal answers on the key issues of the international politics and facilitates the spread of objectibe information on Russia.

In 2004 Grigory Yavlinsky, the first Chairman of YABLOKO and one of the party founders, became a laureate of the Prize For Freedom established by Liberal International and awarded for outstanding contribution to the protection of human rights and freedoms. The present LI Congress elected Grigory Yavlinsky an honorary Vice-President of Liberal International. In 2005-2008, Alexander Shishlov, YABLOKO Bureau member, was member of the Bureau of the Liberal International.

Liberal International was founded in 1947 to strengthen liberal protection from totalitarianism and communism. The founding “Oxford Manifesto” (1947) is widely considered as one of the most important political documents of the 20th century. It has since become the pre-eminent network for promoting liberalism, individual freedom, human rights, the rule of law, tolerance, equality of opportunity, social justice, free trade and a market economy. The LI Manifesto in force until the Andorra Congress – Oxford Manifesto 1997: The Liberal Agenda for the 21st Century – was adopted in Oxford in 1997. http://www.liberal-international.org/site/Manifesto.html#7