As elections loom, Kremlin applies ‘ethical standards’ to muzzle critics
The Christian Science Monitor, by Fred Weir, 29.03.2016
… Russia’s oldest liberal party, Yabloko, has seen several of its local lawmakers censured or deprived of deputy status for breaking such rules over the past few months. Nevertheless, Alexander Gnezdilov, the party’s deputy chairman, insists that Yabloko will attempt to participate in both local and national elections this September, and make use of every opportunity that is available.
“Of course there are few grounds for optimism, but that doesn’t mean we should give up,” he says. “For us, political activity has sense as long as we want to go on living in this country. So, not stepping aside is our way of saying we’re not going to disappear.”
Continued on The Christian Science Monitor website
Posted: April 1st, 2016 under Elections, Parliamentary Elections 2016, State Duma Elections, State Duma Elections 2016.