Press Release, 5.07.2021

Yabloko colleagues from sister parties and organisations from ten countries expressed their words of support and hope for the victory of the party in the upcoming elections to the State Duma. They sent their greetings and good wishes in the addresses that were broadcast at the Yabloko pre-election congress on July 3-4.

Hakima El Haite, President of Liberal International, called on the Russian authorities to ensure free and transparent elections in Russia, and also noted the invaluable contribution of Grigory Yavlinsky, one of the founders of Yabloko, to the development of democracy in Russia:

“Allow me to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Dr. Grigory Yavlinsky, not only as a vocal protector of rule of law and as a opponent against violence and tyranny, but also for his intellectual vision for a truly democratic Russia.”

Ilhan Kuchuk, MEP, Bulgaria, and co-President of the ALDE party, noted that “Yabloko has been defending liberal values in Russia and Europe for many, many years”:

“We increasingly need to work to defend and protect our democracies, tackle rising populism and nationalist movements, and work to tackle global challenges such as climate change and the coronavirus.”

Astrid Thors, Vice President of Liberal International, Chair of the LI Human Rights Committee, ex OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities and ex Minister of Migration and European Affairs of Finland, wished Yabloko success in the autumn elections:

“We know that Yabloko is a consistent liberal force with good proposals for the Russian Federation and always stands forth when it relates to human rights issues, freedom of speech, freedom of association and the rule of law. All the best for the future!”

Petras Auštrevičius, MEP, Lithuania, expressed his expressed regret about the unequal opportunities for the opposition in Russia in their struggling with the present authorities:

“Russian society lacks a lot, when they try to suppress the voice of the opposition from the official channels, when conditions for participation in elections are not created, when the rights of oppositionists in the regions and in Moscow are infringed. This is a big drawback of Russia and not everyone understands it.”

Monika Zajkova, MP form the Liberal-Democratic Party, North Macedonia encouraged Yabloko to turn to the experience of North Macedonia:

“You can always look into the Macedonian example, because we also had an authoritarian regime here, but now the liberal ideology is here, existing, and its part of the government. So, if we could manage to spread the liberal values at that time, you can managed it too. Keep fighting and be united!”

Bernard Guetta, MEP, France, in his address recalled the long path of Yabloko’s struggle for a better state:

“You began defending freedom 30 years ago. Yavlinsky was then one of my closest friends. He fought against outgoing communism, growing corruption, and treacherous privatisation, and later – against a new dictatorship. It was your common struggle. And please, continue to lead it for the good of Russia, Europe and the world!”

Henrik Bach Mortensen, Vice-President of the ALDE party, a member of the Venstre party, Denmark, said that he and his party fully support Yabloko’s struggle in Russia:

“I wish you successful election, although you are fighting against very tough and hard odds. I look forward to work together with Yabloko as a staunch European liberal party.”

Martin Hojsik, MEP, Slovakia, expressed his words of support in hard times for Russian democracy:

“I hope that you will be able not only to stand in the upcoming elections, but also that despite all the pressure, all the intimidation, and all the efforts of the Putin regime to silence you, you will manage to get a lot of support from the public. Because I believe in a democratic and liberal Russia, which is part of the European family!”

Jacques Maire, MP of the National Assembly of France and Chairman of the liberal group in PACE, expressed deep concern over the pre-election pressure by the Russian authorities against political opponents in Russia, including Yabloko, “a respected member of the European liberal family fighting for democracy, human rights and freedom since 1993”. The politician called for “respect of political rights of Russian citizens”.

Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, MP, Germany, and Vice President of the ALDE party, emphasised the fundamental difference between the conditions for holding elections in Russia and European countries:

“I am a candidate in Germany for the liberal party. I can campaign freely, I can talk to whoever I like, I can publish my thoughts whenever I want it to. That is liberty.

We know that you are fighting for liberty for Russia. You, dear friends in Yabloko, you stand for the Russia we love: the Russia of proud citizens, the Russia of liberty, the Russia of a bright future. Do continue to open up to others, provide your support to those who do not have a platform like you do, thanks to your good work of the last couple of years!”

We thank our European partners for the words of sincere and inspiring support and hope on Yabloko’s victory in the elections to the State Duma in 2021.

The pre-election congress of Yabloko ended with an Ode to Joy (music by Ludwig van Beethoven, verse by Friedrich Schiller). This piece of music is one of the symbols of the fight against tyranny and the anthem of the Council of Europe, of which Russia is also a member.