Statement, 2.08.2019

The situation has been escalating on the threashold of possible protest actions in Moscow. The authorities are intimidating people: dozens of criminal cases return us to the period of reprisals after Bolotnaya Square [rallies in Moscow]. On the other hand, those calling on young people to take to the streets and relying on young people, compete in radicalism: it seems that they are afraid to show prudence, since in this case others will immediately replace them. In this situation, the possibility of aggression and violence is very great.

The Yabloko party fundamentally believes that the end does not justify the means. No matter how splendid the declared goals may be, if they are achieved by violence, which at any moment can turn into bloodshed, are unacceptable to us. We do not consider it possible to push people into clashes with the law enforcement on the zero sum game principle. The threat to the life and health of our citizens is the line that Yabloko will never cross seeking for very dubious political dividends. We are not Bolsheviks and never will be. Protest heroism is neither our goal nor practice. We are fighting for a free democratic Russia.

We believe that, first of all, it is necessary to fight for the creation of real self-government bodies, real free and competitive elections, freedom of speech and independent courts (see “The Eight Demands. What the Opposition Should Strive to Achieve” of 29.07.2019). None of this exists in the authoritarian and semi-criminal Putin system. Therefore, the struggle should go for political changes in the country as a whole and in Moscow in particular.

This, first of all, requires a large political party (see “Make Your Voice Louder” of February 2019). This is the only way to protect the honour and dignity of people. Only with the help of such a party can serious political goals be achieved. Street protests are only one of the means of struggle and, as history shows, is far from sufficient. The fight must be open, very consistent, but peaceful.

There will be no winners upon the transition to the phase of “irreconcilable confrontation”, and the executioners will take the power, as happened in similar historical situations.

The authorities lie about “thousands of provocateurs” allegedly taking part in street protests, about allegedly falsified signatures [of independent candidates] for registration in elections to the Moscow City Duma. But those who claim that the “street” represents a direct road to regime change also lie. They are either mistaken “because of emotions,” or they deliberately mislead others, and put them under attack.

People should never be deceived under any pretext. In modern Russia, lies and manipulations are called “political technologies” and this is the exact opposite of real politics.

Yabloko does not consider it possible to urge its supporters to participate in uncoordinated actions: all are free to control themselves, their health and their life, but do not have the right to risk others or manipulate them.

Grigory Yavlinsky,

Chairman of the Federal Political Committee of the Yabloko Party