From: Euvgenia A. Dillendorf dillendorf@yabloko.ru
Subject: Yabloko Leader G. Yavlinsky and Right Forses Union N. Belykh to Democrats, November 11, 2005
Date: Fri, 11 Nov 2005
Address to all those who cherish freedom
Friends!
The elections to the Moscow City Duma are not simply a power struggle: they are far more important than that. The elections represent the choice of the country’s direction in future. The public mood in Moscow is a decisive factor for developments in Russia. Today only Moscow can determine whether there will be a one-party political system in the country, a third presidential term for Putin in one form or another, the nationalization of big business, the continuation of legal vendettas, the rule of criminal groupings in the regions … In other words, if the absolute majority of Moscow citizens vote for the United Russia party jointly with the nationalists, backers of Zhirinovsky and communists, the authoritarian anti-democratic policies in this country will not only remain, but also accelerate.
The 2005 Moscow City Duma elections constitute in effect a referendum on one question: are Muscovites ready to comply with the existing authoritarian clan system? Are we ready to stand up for our ideals and values, our way of life, freedom and democracy?
For the first time in many years the democrats are on one joint electoral list for the elections. Relations between the two federal democratic parties present on the political scene for over ten years have been tense at times. There have been and still remain considerable differences of opinion on many economic and social problems, as well as on a number of domestic policy issues. However, the political situation in Russia in recent years has led the parties to put to one side even the most acute disagreements. Owing to the authoritarian situation and impending threat of one party political rule, the underlying issue is the adherence of both parties to the principle of respecting different views, pluralism, democracy and a European path of development for Russia. On these issues we have always held close common grounds. This has always distinguished us from the political heirs of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, who appeared and continue to appear on the scene under different names, but have always represented de facto a united bureaucratic nomenclature belonging to the same clan. The parties that have formed the united democratic electoral list have different histories. Their merits and shortcomings, achievements and mistakes are known to all those who keep an eye on politics. However, it is crystal clear that these parties have created solid roots. Each party has tens of thousands of members and hundreds of local organizations which influence “from below” the formation of party leadership positions. Each party has the backing of millions of active voters all over the country. Nobody should be allowed to ignore this fact. Our accountability before our electorate and the holding of the elections in Moscow are the reasons for the formation of the joint list.
You are entitled to your own point of view on the way the list was formed and the people on the list. We needed a united list of democrats at Moscow elections, needed to be put on the ballot and that came true. And now the victory or defeat of this particular list will demonstrate the viability of democracy in Russia at the beginning of the 21st century.
The number of seats gained at Moscow City Duma elections will not be considered the only positive result. No less important will be the real number of people who actually vote for the democrats, that is to say – the number of people who do not support the present political course, and who come out to vote. No less important will be the public atmosphere in the capital. All these factors will come to light despite all manner of possible falsifications. This situation in particular will influence the subsequent development of the country and the 2007-2008 elections. Naturally a positive result does not provide any definite guarantees for the future. At the same time such a result is key to the future activities of the democratic movement.
We are convinced that no one can stay away from the election, from this referendum. Indolence, snobbery, shameful silence, cowardice and the desire only to scowl and merely write critical notes, hold meetings and forums about nothing and for nobody, caustic rebukes arising from resentment cast at fellow democrats who “do not work like this”, skeptical whimpering “well, you try” – all this is tantamount in the current situation to political support for the authoritarian regime, at a time where you have to assume responsibility for yourself today and for the future.
It is necessary to keep agitating for the united democratic list overtly, without any ambiguity. You should not write and speak out about grudges against Putin, but fight for as many votes as possible for the electoral list “YABLOKO – united democrats”. We are speaking about a list. Victory in constituencies of individual candidates is useful and pleasant, but not enough.
Please do not wait for special invitations and tasks. Join in: write, speak out, address meetings and agitate among your own people, friends, neighbors and fans. Donate money Too much depends on those of you who regularly speak on the radio, whose opinion is published in the newspapers and appears in the Internet, who are known and trusted by the public. We need to raise the political graduation of the electoral campaign and explain its importance to the general public.
In these circumstances there is no difference between politicians, candidates, their staff, journalists and voters. There is no one to complain about or rely on. You have to work.
We harbor no illusions about the honesty of the elections in particular about honest vote-counting. But we can and must make it difficult to deceive us and our electorate. To achieve this goal, we must bring as many supporters as possible to Moscow polling stations.
Today is not the time to imitate “impartiality and objectiveness” or display inane cynicism, which is so fashionable these days. This is not the time to lament the behavior of the authoritarian authorities, a feeble civic society, the absence of new leaders or ideas. The united democratic list offers an opportunity to fight.
There is no point in saving your strength and resources waiting for circumstances to change. You need to determine your future here and now.
To persuade voters to turn out for the elections and vote for democracy, we ourselves must be firm and decisive, be able to defend our convictions and our future from authoritarism, Stalinism and fascism.
We are right! So we must fight!
Vote for your future, vote for freedom, vote for YABLOKO, united democrats!
Nikita Belykh
Grigory Yavlinsky
November 2005
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Here by is the material: http://www.yavlinsky.ru/english/index.phtml?id=2556
Euvgenia A. Dillendorf
The Yabloko Party Chairman's Spokesperson
Of. +7 (095) 780-30-10 (ad. 229)
Cel. +7 (095) 960-50-29
Mail to: pressa@yabloko.ru.