Press Release, June 22, 2013

Today the Conference of the Moscow Region branch of YABLOKO nominated ex MP Gennady Gudkov (expelled from the Just Russia faction for his oppositional activities) to run for Governor of the Moscow Region: 35 delegates out of 40 voted for Gudkov, and one ballot was recognised invalid.

ex MP Gennady Gudkov and YABLOKO leader Sergei Mitrokhin

YABLOKO leader Sergei Mitrokhin spoke in support of Gennady Gudkov. He stressed that no other candidate either from YABLOKO or from independent politicians who could run for the Governor had such political weight and such experience.

YABLOKO leader Sergei Mitrokhin proposed to nominate Gennady Gudkov as single candidate from the opposition at a rally in Bolotnaya Square, Moscow, on May 6. And on June 22 the Conference of the Moscow Region branch of YABLOKO gave Gudkov its support.

“Gennady Gudkov is a very serious oppositional politician who has proved by the recent development in his life that he is independent both from the authorities and the money sacks,” said YABLOKO’s leader.

Candidate for the Mayor of Moscow Sergei Mitrokhin proposed to Gennady Gudkov to consider them a “tandem, which in case of their victory in both the elections will pursue a coordinated policy for solution of the problems of Moscow and the Moscow Region that the present government failed to solve”. “But we will be able to do it,” Mitrokhin said.

Speaking to the delegates at the conference Gennady Gudkov confirmed his desire to compete for the post of the Governor of the Moscow Region and also noted that he and YABLOKO had a good chance of winning the election.

“I do not believe that the ruling party has a chance to win this election. I intend to win, and I think that we together can form a government of the Moscow region,” Gudkov said.

Gennady Gudkov

Gudkov presented the main points of his programme. He spoke in favour of the principle of “a coalition government”. He also promised to “stop mass-scale corruption which turned the Moscow region into a territory with the loudest corruption scandals”.

Gudkov said that he would transfer a considerable part of power to the parliament of the Moscow Region and would also ensure full information transparency of decision-making.

Another important item of Gudkov’s programme was protection of environment. “The Moscow Region was turned into a huge dump, places for recreation and forests were destroyed”. Gudkov said that all this required immediate remedial measures.

According to Gudkov, much attention should be paid to the transport infrastructure of the region. One more point of his programme was making life of the residents of the region more comfortable. “It is a shame to live in the Moscow region in the 21st century in the condition of the 19th century,” he noted.

He also said that he intended to bring order to the social sphere. Funds stolen under the present government should be allotted to improvement of hospitals, schools and other social institutions.

According to Gudkov, much attention should be installing law and order.

Alexander Gunko, leader of the Moscow Region branch of YABLOKO, also supported the candidacy of Gennady Gudkov. He said that if Gudkov managed to register as candidate, residents of the region would certainly support him.