Russian liberal opposition party Jabloko has been barred from the upcoming September parliamentary elections by the Russian Supreme Court, according to news agencies reporting on Monday’s verdict. The decision sidelines the only prominent political faction openly opposing Russia’s war in Ukraine, further shrinking the already narrow space for political dissent.
Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Rodina’s Lawsuit
The Supreme Court upheld a full lawsuit brought by the Rodina party, an ultranationalist and populist political formation often described as prokremelskine. According to state news agency TASS, the court announced that “Lawsuit of the Rodina party is satisfied in full.” Gadzhi Aliyev, a lawyer representing Jabloko, stated to reporters that the party will appeal the verdict within the allowed five-day window.
Accusations of Extremism and Western Funding
During the court proceedings, the Rodina party leveled multiple accusations against Jabloko. According to the independent news outlet Meduza, Rodina characterized Jabloko’s anti-war platform as calls for extremism and the violation of Russia’s territorial integrity. Furthermore, Rodina claimed that the liberal opposition group received undeclared campaign support from Western sources.
Jabloko leader Nikolai Rybakov rejected these allegations during the hearing, noting that the prosecution presented no evidence to substantiate the claims. According to Reuters, Rybakov described the legal challenge as a politically motivated attack on freedom of thought. “Citizens have different views and different parties must express them,” Rybakov argued in court.
Electoral Stakes Ahead of September Voting
The first parliamentary elections since the military invasion of Ukraine are scheduled to take place from September 18 to 20.
Founded in the 1990s as a beacon of hope for pro-Western liberals, Jabloko has not secured a single seat in the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, since 2003. Representatives of the party have framed the upcoming contest as a referendum to signal popular opposition to the conflict, though international observers like AFP note the party faces virtually no chance of capturing seats in an election tightly controlled by the state.
Did you know? Jabloko remains the sole legally registered political party in Russia that consistently platformed an anti-war stance before facing total exclusion from the legislative ballot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Jabloko excluded from the elections?
The Russian Supreme Court barred Jabloko following a lawsuit filed by the Rodina party, which accused the opposition group of receiving Western campaign funds and making extremist statements regarding its anti-war position.
When will the next Russian parliamentary elections take place?
The parliamentary elections are scheduled to run from September 18 to 20.
Can Jabloko appeal the Supreme Court’s decision?
Yes. According to state news agency TASS, party lawyer Gadzhi Aliyev confirmed that Jabloko will file an appeal within the mandated five-day period.
Does Jabloko currently hold seats in the Russian parliament?
No. The party has not held any seats in the State Duma since 2003.
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