International report – Fall legislative elections in Russia: the opposition tries to find its place

In a room, a few posters, paper, pens on tables… the last traces of the previous meeting: an evening of writing letters to political prisoners in Russia. A few steps further, in an office, a calendar with the photo of a thin face with dark eyes and a sharp gaze. It’s that of Boris Vichnievsky. This very well-known former official of the “Iabloko” party was designated “foreign agent” in March 2024. Like a wound that does not heal, as also the mark of an intact will to fight, a few words are written under the cliche: “I will come back”.

« That’s what he told us when he gave his departure speech“, explains the elections coordinator for the party in the region (editor’s note: for security reasons, the names of those interviewed are not communicated). “Unfortunately, now he lives abroad. We hope it’s temporary, that he really comes back ”.

Since the departure of this local figure, and particularly since the start of preparations for the elections, the climate has further hardened. Sitting in her office, the elections coordinator takes stock of the situation: “For now, I don’t feel any direct pressureshe said in an even tone. But I feel psychological pressure, because almost every day in the party unpleasant things happen. My comrades receive legal statuses which prevent them from running for elections and which even threaten their possibility of residing in Russia. For example, a few days ago, a member of our party in Yekaterinburg, a city with a population of more than a million people, and where “Yabloko” usually performs well in elections, was listed as an “extremist and terrorist.” He left the territory. In other places there have been work pressures ».

In an interview on June 10 at Novaya Gazeta Europe (exiled media and classified as “undesirable” by the Russian authorities), the party boss, Nikolai Rybakov, had this formula: “We have extensive experience surviving in toxic environments. » À la question du journal : « What are the electoral prospects of a party without administrative resources or an alliance with the Russian government in 2026? », Nikolaï Rybakov answered : « The same question could be asked about life in Russia as a whole: what are the future prospects for all of us who are not in power? We have no other choice. But we can change the circumstances in which we live. HAS” 

For the party coordinator in Saint Petersburg, “In our society, no one is safe from anything, from pressure, from the possibility of losing their freedom or suffering restrictions of any kind.»

“People aspire to live freely and without fear »

However, the local party leader affirms it: new members arrive every month: students, employees, doctors, businessmen, all looking for a civic and political outlet for their discontent and even their anger, adhering to the party’s slogan: “For peace and freedom, for a life with dignity and without fear.”

« Of course, the key question is the attitude towards the special military operation and the method of resolving the conflict, he explains, but it is also about the economic and social choices that our leaders make. There is discontent and it is widespread, the polls say so. »

The coordinator is a little more direct: “We must stop the massacre of lives, and this is our main position. This position now generates a significant echo. The number of people supporting it is growing, as dangerous actions threaten not only the border areas, but also St. Petersburg and Moscow. Current military technologies mean that no one is safe. » The coordinator spoke in the wake of the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, marked by spectacular drone attacks from Ukraine during the opening and closing days. “People aspire to live freely and without fear, to express their opinions without fear as well. It’s fundamental. »

These two regional frameworks also list, among what attracts new activists, internet restrictions, the deterioration of purchasing power, increasing inequalities, lack of investment in transport, concerns about the future… More than policies to improve: a social contract put to the test for more than 4 years of war.

“Iabloko” has so far been able to participate in all elections, except the presidential vote. For these legislative measures, response at the beginning of next July.

Also readVyborg, Russian city opposite Finland: European nostalgia in the shadow of the war in Ukraine