Teaching Comparative

Discouraging political competition in Russia

From the perspective of many outside observers, political events over the last couple years in Russia have been anti-democratic signs of centralization. Those observers are likely to take careful note of the recent events in St. Petersburg, as reported here by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. However, a protest by 100 people outside the Kremlin doesn't seem like much competition when Nashi can turn out 70,000 people wearing Santa suits for a demonstration.

Opposition Yabloko Barred From St. Petersburg Poll

"The decision to bar Yabloko from upcoming elections in Russia's second city met with dismay from liberals.

"Chanting 'Return elections to the people!' and 'Down with the police state,' some 100 demonstrators gathered outside the Kremlin on January 29 to protest the decision to bar the party from running in St. Petersburg's next Legislative Assembly elections, slated for March 11.

"Russia's Central Election Commission ruled that nearly 12 percent of the signatures submitted in support of Yabloko's candidates are invalid -- more than the maximum 10 percent allowed...

"The head of the party's St. Petersburg branch, Maksim Reznik, says the ban is revenge for Yabloko's consistent opposition to St. Petersburg Governor Valentina Matviyenko, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin...

"Yabloko deputy head Sergei Mitrokhin told Reuters that his party is also coming under fire for lobbying against a plan by state-run gas monopoly Gazprom to build a 300-meter tower in St. Petersburg, a city renowned for its classical architecture...

"Political analysts say the ban could be part of a broader Kremlin campaign to sideline rivals ahead of key parliamentary elections in December 2007 and presidential elections in 2008.

"Once a leading political force, Yabloko has lost most of its clout under Putin's tenure.

"It has lost all seats in the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, which is now dominated by the pro-Kremlin Unified Russia party. But it has managed to retain seats in a number of local legislatures, including in St. Petersburg's Legislative Assembly..."

Labels: democratization, politics, Russia

posted by Ken Wedding @ 9:46 AM