Emilia Slabunova’s address to the voters, 18.10.2016

Dear friends,

The election to Russia’s State Duma took place a month ago.

We heartily thank everyone who supported us, who came to the polling station on September 18 and voted for an alternative to the policy of the government – a meaningful, real, sensible alternative. We express our special gratitude to those who tried to reach out to our fellow citizens in rainy and windy weather, who delivered newspapers and leaflets, persuaded their friends, acquaintances and strangers [to voter for us], who spent the whole night at a polling station observing the ballot count. We feel our responsibility to every one of you and we will make everything possible to justify your confidence.

We are sure that we did not waste our efforts. Yes, we failed to form a faction in the State Duma. But we did not lose. The scope of electoral fraud which was reported by the election observers, the result of mathematical modelling discredit the official election results and the legitimacy of the newly elected parliament.

The election result showed a shocking gap between the government and society. The voter turnout proved to be the lowest in the history of modern Russia. Such a situation is going to have serious consequences. The absence of legitimacy can not be covered up by the administrative resource, fraud, and propaganda. This illegitimacy may lead to the collapse of the statehood which happened more than once in the history of our country.

The regime cultivates the sense of helplessness, impossibility of any changes, the feeling of doom, therefore a large number of people decided to stay at home, chose to keep silence, escape from the government, escape from reality.

However, it would be a grave mistake to give in to temptation of giving up, get disappointed with yourself, withdraw from elections, and say “it is the problem with our country, with our government”.

We have no other way but to participate in the elections again and again. The election campaign has shown that there are people in every corner of the country who want to alter the country and life for the better. Our duty is to give these people such an opportunity. We are going to continue our activity together with you.

We call all sensible and honest people who are worried about the future of the country to join efforts. Together with you we are going to the change the system gradually so that the government would respect people. We will continue telling the truth. Sooner of later the truth will win!

Yours faithfully,
Emilia Slabunova,
YABLOKO Chairperson