Nikolai Rybakov, Yabloko Deputy Chairman, came to discuss Yabloko’s further development strategy in the Kamchatka Territory and communicate with supporters, party members and civic activists of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

AiF at Kamchatka, 28.11.2019

Real politics emerges on the [Kamchatka] peninsula

– Where our party comes, there real politics emerges. Because it is a real alternative. We can say that this is a marker of a healthy political life in the region. The party always leads a political discussion and struggle for power taking into account our values. The party’s election success this year is a sign that there is a request for real political forces in the country.

There is such a widespread myth that all changes can occur only in Moscow. Now all the most important things are happening in the regions. Examples of this year are Yekaterinburg, Shies, the [so-called] “garbage” riots across the country. People are tired of not being heard [by the government]. The opening of the branch after a ten-year break is a sign that politics has returned to the Far East. This is a region that has always been famous for active citizens and its independent position. I am certain that Yabloko in Kamchatka will actively defend the rights and interests of citizens, participate in elections and win elections. So join our team! The party is open to all people who share our views and values.

Total mistrust to government

– The living standards in Russia are extremely low, and certainly it is not for me to tell you what problems exist in Kamchatka. But if you think that it is better in other cities, you are mistaken. Take, for example, the healthcare. Everywhere, even in capitals, people lie in the corridors in hospitals, because there are not enough places in the wards. For weeks, they have to wait for coupons in outpatient clinics for a regular appointment with a doctor. A registration in a queue for magnetic resonance imaging prescribed by a doctor is another story. However, they told me about this situation in one political shows on the federal channel as follows: “Don’t go to the hospital so often, it is all useless.”

And we continue to get stuck in this, because the current government, apparently, is not interested in dealing with internal Russian problems. Power finances Africa and fights in Syria. It reacts to problems selectively, trying to guess what can cause protest and what can pass unnoticed. The pension reform, which should rather be called an insult to the population, was specially carried out during the World Cup in Russia. During the Olympics in Sochi, there was passed a law on the possibility of seizing property from people. It affected only the Krasnodar Territory at first, but gradually reached other regions. The authorities behave like an skilful cheater.

– If people are not satisfied with this situation, then why they do not seek to change it at the political level?

– Today, unfortunately, many do not believe in the possibility of change. Independent candidates are not allowed to participate in the elections; it is vitually impossible to pass the municipal filter. People think: my vote will not decide anything, my candidate is not on the ballot. Look at the results of the mayoral election in Moscow: 75 per cent of the population did not come to the polls.

I see our paramount task in overcoming this mistrust. In this case, the situation of the beginning of 1990s should not be repeated. Then a lot of people came to politics who could not correctly and professionally set goals and objectives and competently approach problem solving. We should offer a democratic alternative and professionally trained people.

Environmental control

One of the main activities of the party is the struggle to maintain a favourable environment. Kamchatka environmental activists came to the meeting of our regional party members.

“Today we are the only ones against burning garbage,” Nikolai Rybakov said. “Yet the State Duma has been demonstrating a surprising unanimity regarding the construction of incinerators. Europe built them thirty years ago and only recently, realising that this was not necessary, began closing them. Technologies are completely different today.

First, we burn garbage that can still be recycled. Second, they do this without introducing a separate collection system. But it is simply dangerous to burn many kinds of waste. And certainly living near such objects is dangerous to health. People understand this and fight for their right to favourable environment.

The authorities are afraid of elections

– Public activities are certainly extremely important, but the authorities are not afraid of them. Only honest elections really scare the government. Now even a whole wave of rallies in Moscow in Sakharov Avenue has passed – and they were allowed. I am absolutely convinced that the authorities are not too interested in such actions. The real political protest of the people will be the moment when people come to the polls and vote as they see fit, and then their votes will be honestly counted. This is democracy, which must be returned. All power is in the hands of voters.

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