Russia’s Supreme Court bars anti-war Yabloko party from parliamentary elections
The decision strips voters of the chance to register dissent over the Ukraine conflict, as Yabloko leader vows to appeal the constitutional breach.
Russia’s Supreme Court has annulled the registration of the Yabloko party, effectively barring the only officially registered political group opposing the war in Ukraine from contesting next month’s parliamentary elections. The ruling, delivered by Judge Vyacheslav Kirillov, upheld a legal challenge brought by the pro-Kremlin nationalist party Rodina, which alleged that Yabloko had received undeclared campaign support from Western sources.
The decision eliminates the last liberal voice from the September State Duma contest, following an initial approval by the Central Election Commission last month that allowed Yabloko to run alongside 10 other parties. Judge Kirillov confirmed that the claims seeking to annul the federal list of candidates nominated by Yabloko were granted, citing the allegations of illicit foreign backing.
Yabloko leader Nikolai Rybakov condemned the court’s decision as an unconstitutional attack on freedom of thought. During the hearing, Rybakov stated there was no evidence to support the allegations and characterised the case as a strategic move by political opponents to clear the field of rivals. He vowed that the party would appeal the ruling, describing the legal battle as part of a broader task to stop deaths and restore peace.
Approximately 100 supporters, predominantly young people, gathered outside the courthouse as the verdict was announced. Police stood by as demonstrators chanted “Shame!” and carried apples to symbolise the party’s name, which translates to “apple” in Russian. Rybakov addressed the crowd after the hearing, asserting that all future efforts would be dedicated to ending the conflict.
Yabloko remains the sole liberal party still operating within Russia, having received backing from exiled opposition figures including Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of the late Alexey Navalny. Both Navalny and his widow are currently listed as “extremists” by the Russian state. The party has failed to win a State Duma seat since 2003, with every parliamentary vote since then secured by the ruling United Russia party. Recent polling indicates Yabloko holds just three percent support, falling short of the five-percent threshold required for parliamentary entry.
