Russia Bans Antiwar Yabloko Party From Parliamentary Ballot

The Federal Government of Russia banned the antiwar party Yabloko from the national parliamentary ballot one month before elections, citing copyright violations and allegations of foreign financing. The disqualification triggered protests in Moscow, where authorities arrested several demonstrators, four of whom received brief jail terms.

Yabloko leaders and analysts claim the ban was a response to a surge in party support fueled by public disillusionment with the war in Ukraine. This rise in popularity was evidenced by a 90% increase in Google searches and a spike in social media followers. While the party historically operated within the Kremlin's managed democracy by avoiding calls for regime change, its peace platform became a threat to the government.

The move follows a pattern of suppressing dissent, including the 11-year prison sentence given to Yabloko deputy Lev Schlosberg for speaking against the Russian armed forces. Despite the national ban, Yabloko remains eligible to field candidates in parallel regional elections. Ella Pamfilova, head of the electoral commission, framed the upcoming vote as a contribution to military victory.