Court Ruling Removes Sole Anti-War Voice
Russia’s Supreme Court ruled on Monday to cancel the federal candidate list of the Yabloko party, effectively barring the nation’s oldest liberal organization from participating in next month’s State Duma elections. The decision follows a lawsuit filed by the nationalist Rodina party, which accused Yabloko of violating Russian election law, receiving foreign funding, and promoting “extremism.”
The ruling marks a significant shift in the Kremlin’s electoral strategy. While the Central Election Commission (CEC) had unexpectedly approved Yabloko’s slate in late July, the judicial intervention signals a final move to ensure no registered party on the ballot openly opposes the ongoing war in Ukraine. Yabloko, which has contested every Russian parliamentary election since the 1990s, campaigned under the slogan “For peace and freedom!” and advocated for a ceasefire.
Legal Grounds and Allegations
The case brought by Rodina relied on several contentious claims. The prosecution alleged that Yabloko received financial support from foreign entities, including transfers from Germany and the U.S. discovered by the financial watchdog Rosfinmonitoring. Additionally, the party was accused of supporting an extremist organization—specifically the “international LGBT movement”—through content published on its website. A further charge of “infringement” was cited after a senior party official quoted lyrics from a Soviet-era song in a public interview.
Yabloko Chairman Nikolai Rybakov rejected all accusations during the eight-hour hearing, characterizing the party’s platform as a defense of the interests of the majority, noting that “preserving human lives is in the interest of the majority of Russian citizens.” Despite these defenses, the court sided with the plaintiffs, effectively sidelining the only registered party explicitly critical of the war.
Political Stakes and Public Dissent
The removal of Yabloko occurs against a backdrop of declining support for the ruling United Russia party, which currently faces challenges from inflation, internet disruptions, and the localized impact of drone strikes. Prior to the court’s decision, hundreds of supporters gathered outside the Moscow courthouse, chanting “Shame!” and “Yabloko.” Police presence remained heavy, with officers warning attendees that those remaining could face conscription into the military.
Analysts suggest the Kremlin’s decision to remove Yabloko reflects a change in calculation. While the authorities may have initially considered allowing the party to run—potentially to use its historically low polling numbers (1.34% in 2021) to project a lack of public appetite for anti-war sentiment—the recent surge in interest in the party’s message appeared to pose a risk to the desired narrative of national unity. By eliminating the only opposition voice, the Kremlin aims to suppress voter turnout among those who oppose the war, as a low-participation election is easier to control.