Naturally enough, United Russia turned out to be the richest. It does not have any "individual" sponsors; all funds were raised by organisations and companies. Russian organisations and companies donated almost 400 million roubles to United Russia in 2002. The People's Party with 115.202 million roubles is second, the Union of Right-Wing Forces with 52.793 million is third, and YABLOKO with 45.312 million is fourth. All these parties are mostly sponsored by organisations and companies too. Even Vladimir Zhirinovsky's LDPR is financed by companies, but the LDPR ended up with just over 17 million roubles. The Communist Party is mostly sponsored by individuals.

Judging by the available accounts, United Russia was the least profligate: they show that it didn't spend a single rouble in 2002 on congresses or conferences, as if its congresses and conferences weren't nationwide events! United Russia's major rival, the Communist Party, spent 108,300 roubles on its own congresses and conferences. YABLOKO forums cost twice as much.

Even publicity for its activities did not cost United Russia anything. The party never paid anything for information, commercials, publications, or printing. Even the LDPR admitted in its financial report that publicity consumed the lion's share of the party budget (14,919,600 roubles). Neither did the other political parties economize on publicity. On the other hand, the accounts show the interest of United Russia in its own rating and its personnel. The party spent 106.293 million roubles on opinion polls and staff training at the Russian Academy of the Civil Service. At the same time, charity was not United Russia's strong suit. YABLOKO donated almost a million roubles to the poor, the People's Party a similar sum, the Communists over 300,000 roubles, and United Russia 51,000 roubles. At the same time, United Russia leaders cost the party budget 140.831 million roubles. Communist bosses cost the party almost 1.5 million roubles. The People's Party spent about 90 million on its leaders. YABLOKO's leaders did not get a single rouble from the party treasury.

The assets and property of United Russia are worth an estimated 254.395 million roubles. The party's offices on Banni Pereulok in Moscowaccount for over half that sum. Communists' assets are worth just over 65 million roubles, including two buildings in Moscow, one in Cherkessk and one in Ufa. YABLOKO bought apartments for its activists and functionaries in Elista, Ufa, and Irkutsk (the assets and property of the party are worth 12.5 million roubles). The People's Party does not own any real estate, but has assets worth 9.605 million. The property of the LDPR is worth just over 300,000, judging by available figures.

The Ministry for Taxes and Duties and Justice Ministry must have taken the figures at face value. These structures do not doubt that the meagre sums given in financial reports are sufficient for the federal parties when they maintain their popularity and run for the Duma and regional legislatures.
In any case, the accounting of the political structures is as opaque as it was before the law on political parties. Most functions and campaigns are financed from unknown sources and in
unknown amounts. Property and assets are registered in the names of third parties. The lists of sponsors are provided just for the record - meagre sums and obscure companies. Mikhail Khodorkovsky's example has not been followed. Major corporations remain secretive about their political preferences. Russia has not yet matured to the point where fund raising is legitimate and open.

See also:

State Duma Elections 2003

Nezavisimaya Gazeta, August 5, 2003