Russia’s top court has issued a ruling to disqualify the sole party opposing the Kremlin’s military intervention in Ukraine from participating in the upcoming parliamentary election next month. The Supreme Court invalidated the registration of Yabloko, which translates to “apple” in Russian, following a petition from a pro-Kremlin party. Initially, the Central Election Commission had approved Yabloko’s inclusion on the ballot alongside 10 other parties.
Yabloko, once a prominent liberal voice in parliament critical of the government, lost its seats in the State Duma as the Kremlin strengthened its control over Russian politics. As the only registered opposition party against deploying troops to Ukraine, Yabloko campaigned for peace with slogans like “For a ceasefire agreement, diplomacy, and peace!” and “Our goal is to prevent nuclear war!” Veteran liberal politician Grigory Yavlinsky, the party’s co-founder, expressed disappointment over the court’s decision and announced plans to appeal.
Despite the court ruling, support for Yabloko remained strong, with figures such as Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, and politicians Ilya Yashin and Vladimir Kara-Murza endorsing the party. Yabloko Chairman Nikolai Rybakov distanced the party from external support to avoid disqualification. The party’s anti-war stance resonated with voters, challenging the Kremlin’s expectations.
Several Kremlin-aligned parties criticized Yabloko for its position on Ukraine, with some calling for investigations into the party’s activities. The Motherland Party initiated the lawsuit to remove Yabloko from the ballot, citing copyright infringement and campaign spending violations. The party’s stance on Ukraine was deemed unlawful and a threat to Russia’s territorial integrity.
Yabloko faced escalating pressure from the Kremlin in recent years, with key members imprisoned or labeled as “foreign agents.” The crackdown on dissent intensified, reminiscent of Soviet-era tactics. Notably, prominent members faced legal challenges, with some sentenced to prison for alleged offenses against the state. Despite these obstacles, Yabloko’s message of peace and freedom resonated with the public, challenging the Kremlin’s narrative.