Liberal International, 03.06.2016
Amid what she has described as a “crisis” in Russia, leader of the Russian Liberals, Yabloko (LI full member), Emilia Slabunova, has set out the challenges facing liberals and democrats ahead of parliamentary elections in Russia in September 2016, speaking to national broadcaster Radio KP.

The political situation in Russia makes campaigning difficult for democratic forces, yet leader of Russia’s Yabloko party has taken to national radio to set out her party’s vision as the country prepares to elect a new parliament later this year. “YABLOKO is the only real opposition party [in Russia] today. YABLOKO is a party focused on the European trajectory of development… YABLOKO is a party defending democratic values”, Emilia Slabunova told the Russian broadcaster.

Describing the party’s attitude towards Russian President, Vladimir Putin, Ms. Slabunova added: “The country is in crisis. Moreover, the crisis is often presented to us as an economic crisis, but the crisis is systematic and it has affected absolutely all spheres of life: the economy, the political, the social, the cultural, the human-anthropological sphere, governing and technology. And who is to blame for this systemic crisis? Naturally, the person who is in control.”

In response to a question about how the political crisis can be overcome the Yabloko chairperson concluded: “In our country we have had enough revolutions. There is another and, in our view, the only correct and possible way for our country – elections.”
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