Statement by the Saratov branch of Yabloko, 6.11.2020

The by-elections of deputies of the Saratov Regional Duma were held in the Saratov region not so long ago, which the regional branch of the Yabloko party did not recognise for the first time since 2017. The elections were held with numerous violations: from direct fraud to the use of physical force against observers, however, the trump card of the falsifiers was the multi-day voting. But even in such conditions, the ruling party does not feel sufficiently protected from competitive elections, and it forces the ruling party to continuously change the rules [of the elections]. The initiatives of the newly elected deputies from the [pro-government’s] United Russia party were not long in coming: they propose to change the procedure for the formation of the Saratov City Duma and, at the next elections in 2021, switch from the mixed system to the majority system, canceling party lists as an institution.

The explanatory note to the bill contains a sole argument: [alleged] increase of the independence of candidates from parties and their leaders.

The regional branch of the Yabloko party considers it unacceptable to change the legislation on elections less than a year before the eelctions, in the absence of a broad public discussion, including holding public hearings, and also considering that the initiative to change the procedure for the formation of local self-government bodies comes from the deputies of the regional parliament, and not from citizens, political parties and, first of all, the municipality, which violates the principle of independence of local self-government.

The actions of the ruling party, which has been getting increasingly less public support, look like an attempt to stay in power in spite of everything, and remain in the majority.

If the bill is adopted, the quality of legislative activities will sharply decrease, the work of regional branches of political parties will become more complicated, which will entail a decrease in competition and less objective consideration of the opinions of various groups and strata of the population – the Duma will become unprofessional.

The Saratov regional branch of the Yabloko party is ready to cooperate with all responsible political forces to destroy the monopoly of the ruling party, so that the votes of residents of Saratov become significant.

We are calling on all principled, honest and responsible people of democratic views to support the candidates from Yabloko, become candidates and members of electoral commissions, and take political participation in the life of the city and country.

The Bureau of the Saratov branch of Yabloko