Russia blocks only anti-war party from elections

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Russia's Supreme Court has barred the only anti-war party, Yabloko, from contesting the September parliamentary elections. The move strips voters opposed to the four-and-a-half-year war in Ukraine of their last option on the ballot.

About a hundred supporters, mostly young people, gathered outside the courthouse, chanting "Shame! Shame!" after the ruling was delivered. Judge Vyacheslav Kirillov said, "The claims seeking to annul the registration of the federal list of candidates for the State Duma of the ninth convocation, nominated by the Yabloko political party, were granted." Yabloko leader Nikolay Rybakov said the party would appeal the decision.

"We have a long way ahead and we have a big and important task: to stop deaths and bring the peace back," he said. "Everything we do should be dedicated to that," Rybakov added. With most of President Vladimir Putin's opponents jailed, exiled or dead, Yabloko is the only liberal party still operating in Russia.

The party has received the backing of several exiled opposition figures, including Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Both are listed as "extremists" in Russia. A poll conducted earlier this year showed Yabloko ( "apple" in Russian) at just three percent support — short of the five-percent threshold needed to enter Russia's lower house.

With the Kremlin tightening its control over elections, Yabloko has failed to win seats in the State Duma since 2003. Since then, every parliamentary vote has been won by the ruling United Russia party, which backs Putin. Independent polls show most Russians favour peace negotiations with Kyiv.

We have a long way ahead and we have a big and important task: to stop deaths and bring the peace back.

Yabloko, with a history dating back to 1990, is one of the oldest liberal parties in Russia. Founded by a group of academics, writers, and intellectuals, the party has been at the forefront of advocating for democratic reforms and human rights in Russia.

Russia's war in Ukraine has been ongoing for four-and-a-half years, and the country has been increasingly isolated by the international community. The war has resulted in thousands of civilian casualties and has devastated the Ukrainian economy.

The decision to bar Yabloko from the elections is seen as a further attempt by the Kremlin to suppress dissent and maintain its grip on power.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin has been in power since 2000 and has been known for his authoritarian style of governance. He has faced widespread criticism for his handling of the war in Ukraine and has been accused of human rights abuses.

The United Russia party, which backs Putin, has won every parliamentary vote since 2003. The party has been accused of rigging elections and suppressing opposition.

Independent polls show that most Russians favour peace negotiations with Kyiv, but the Kremlin has shown little interest in engaging in talks with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The decision to bar Yabloko from the elections is a blow to those seeking peace and an end to the war in Ukraine. The move will likely further polarize Russian society and could lead to increased tensions between Russia and the international community.

Russia's war in Ukraine has resulted in significant humanitarian consequences, including displacement of people, destruction of infrastructure, and loss of life. The country has been under international sanctions, and its economy has been severely impacted.

The international community has been calling for an end to the war in Ukraine and for Russia to engage in peace negotiations. The decision to bar Yabloko from the elections is a setback for these efforts.

African countries have been critical of Russia's actions in Ukraine and have called for an end to the war. The African Union has urged Russia to engage in peace negotiations and has condemned the country's actions in Ukraine.

The decision to bar Yabloko from the elections is a further attempt by the Kremlin to suppress dissent and maintain its grip on power. The move will likely further polarize Russian society and could lead to increased tensions between Russia and the international community.