In brief
A Moscow court has barred Yabloko, the only registered party opposing Russia’s war in Ukraine, from the forthcoming parliamentary elections. The ruling followed a lawsuit by the pro‑Kremlin Rodina party, accusing Yabloko of extremist support, copyright infringement, and foreign funding. Hundreds gathered outside the courthouse, chanting and waving apples in support of the banned party. The decision further limits political opposition and may depress turnout among dissenting voters, widening the Kremlin’s control over the electoral process.
Russia’s sole liberal, anti‑war party, Yabloko, has been barred from the next month’s parliamentary elections after a Moscow court ruled that it cannot stand. The decision came after a lawsuit brought by the pro‑Kremlin nationalist Rodina party, which accused Yabloko of supporting extremist content in its online materials, of copyright infringement, and of receiving foreign funding.
Hundreds, mostly young, gathered outside the courthouse to support Yabloko, singing songs, waving apples and chanting “Shame!”. The court’s ruling removed Yabloko from the ballot, even though the Central Electoral Commission had already approved its candidate list in late July.
Yabloko has long been Russia’s most consistent anti‑war voice, opposing the war in Ukraine and earlier conflicts. With United Russia’s popularity falling and the Kremlin now limiting political opposition, the ban could further dampen dissenting turnout at the upcoming vote.
These moves come amid a broader crackdown on dissent, hindering independent election monitoring and curbing any chance for opposition parties to contest the election openly.
