Statement by Yabloko Bureau, 24.07.2020

The latest events in the Khabarovsk Territory [when thousands of people came into the streets after Governor of the region they voted for against the ruling party candidate was arrested and dismissed from his post] showed the failure of the concept of the vertical of power and the entire Putin system of governing the country, and also demonstrated the price of the LDPR party and all its appointees.

The procedure of gubernatorial elections has been actually turned into a system of appointing representatives of political parties loyal to the Kremlin. Strong and respected candidates with the support of citizens are excluded from gubernatorial elections through the municipal filter [mandatory collection of signatures of municipal deputies in their support in the situation when most of municipal deputies come from the ruling United Russia party and block candidates from other parties by refusing to sign for them]. The Kremlin does everything to keep the governors under its complete control, and when something goes wrong, it dismisses the head of the region due to “loss of confidence”, without a fair trial, and puts in his place an appointee who is unfamiliar with local problems. The authorities do not hear and do not respect people’s opinions. Political deafness, unwillingness to take into account the demands and the just indignation of citizens increase the gap between society and the government, lead to the alienation of people from the state.

Systemic policy changes are the key to solving the problem. The Yabloko party insists on political reform, the abolition of artificial restrictions on competition, and the restoration of federalism and local self-government.

We consider it necessary to take the following measures:

– prohibit the President to dismiss and appoint interim heads of regions: if a former governor resigns, his powers should be transferred to one of the deputy governors or the chair of the regional parliament before new elections are held – in accordance with the charter (constitution) of the region;

– provide regional legislatures with the power of impeachment against the highest official of the region;

– the governor can be removed from office only by a court decision in connection with the expression of no confidence in him by the President of the Russian Federation or the legislative body of the subject of the Federation;

– remove the municipal filter and other barriers to governor candidates. Candidates for the post of the highest official of a constituent entity of the federation must be nominated by political parties without additional restrictions and filters;

– abolish the institution of presidential plenipotentiaries in federal districts;

– introduce direct elections of members of the Federation Council;

– return direct elections of governors, mayors of cities and heads of municipal districts in all Russian regions.

We support the right of residents of the Khabarovsk Territory to peaceful protest. Citizens have the primary right to decide who should govern a city or region. The country’s political system cannot be built on the principle of appointing regional heads from the centre. Genuine federalism, democracy, alternative and competitive elections are the key to stability and preservation of the country in the 21st century.

Nikolai Rybakov,

Yabloko Chairman