Edward Marchesi Russia's Supreme Court has cancelled the registration of the liberal Yabloko party's federal list of candidates for the upcoming State Duma elections, scheduled for next month. The decision was made following a lawsuit filed by the nationalist Rodina party, which accused Yabloko of receiving foreign funding, violating copyright, and promoting extremism.
This ruling disqualifies Russia's oldest liberal party, the only officially registered party running on a pro-peace platform, from electoral competition. Yabloko chairman Nikolai Rybakov announced that the party will appeal the decision within five days and will do everything possible to participate in the elections.
The accusations and the reactions
During the hearing, Central Election Commission officials claimed to have found evidence that Yabloko candidates received funding from abroad. According to the Kommersant newspaper, data provided by Rosfinmonitoring, Russia's financial watchdog, revealed transfers of foreign funds to several Yabloko candidates in 2026.
The Rosfinmonitoring document, classified as 'for official use only,' forced judges to require Yabloko's legal defense to sign confidentiality agreements before allowing them to examine the evidence.
Rybakov rejected the accusations of foreign funding, stating that the party is funded by Russian citizens and is accountable to both the public and the Central Election Commission. Rodina also accused Yabloko of copyright infringement and extremism, charges supported by prosecutors during the hearing.
The protests and their political implications
Hundreds of people gathered outside the Supreme Court in Moscow to support Yabloko. The party estimated that around 500 people lined up to enter the building, even though the courtroom only accommodated 150. Supporters responded to the ruling with chants of "Shame! Shame!" as security forces prepared to disperse the crowd.
The decision to exclude Yabloko from the elections comes at a politically sensitive time for the Kremlin, as elections approach and the war in Ukraine continues to impact daily life. Despite the restrictions, Yabloko managed to gain greater visibility during the election campaign, promoting the need for a ceasefire agreement, a demand the Kremlin has repeatedly rejected.
The move against Yabloko is seen as a further step in the crackdown on dissident voices in Russia . The party, once a prominent liberal force, now holds only a few regional seats and none in the national parliament, where pro-government parties like United Russia are expected to maintain their dominance after the September elections.