Statement by Grigory Yavlinsky, 18.03.2018

We perfectly realized that this procedure was not very similar to a real election: disproportionate coverage in the media, spoilers and administrative pressure. But we participated in it, because it was the only opportunity to demand change.

We participated in this campaign to force Putin to change the policies: to eliminate poverty, end wars and isolation of Russia.

We wanted to save the economy, prevent an arms race and a big war. We wanted to ward off disaster. We said everything we wanted and did everything we could.

It does not matter how few percent they will declare to me now and how much to Putin, it is important what will happen to the country now. We are warn once again: the country is heading for a dangerous precipice, bad times are ahead, and there are fewer opportunities to change it.

We regret that in this election, some politicians, instead of warding off disaster with us, helped Putin to bring it closer.

We regret that at the moment when we proposed an alternative and tried to discuss the problems of the country and the solutions, other candidates were arranging scandals, hype and a cheap show.

We thank all the voters of Russia who voted for the truth, for the alternative and change. The million votes that we received are a lot and it is worth a lot.

These are the people who, despite the domination of propaganda, farce and the show, have figured it all out. They understand in what situation the country is, they want to change it and know how to do it.

We had a great campaign – I saw thousands of young people who believed in a different future. I am really glad that I managed to talk personally to many of them – those who collected signatures, campaign for us and supported us.

A million people said that the archaic political system, where every day is hopelessly similar to the previous one, and that the backward, oil-dependent economy should remain in the past.

We represent the voice of these people in politics. Together with a million Russians we demand change. We do not give up, we will continue to fight for a decent future, for changes in the country. And I am sure that sooner or later we will win.

Grigory Yavlinsky