Russian dictator Vladimir Putin addressed Russians ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for September 18, 19 and 20. In his speech, he linked participation in the vote to the war, “Russia’s victory” and a demonstration of national unity.
This was reported by the propaganda agency TASS.
In his speech, Putin urged Russians to take part in the vote, saying the elections should show that “no one will succeed in splitting Russia, undermining its statehood and system,” while calling participation in them “a common contribution to victory.”
According to him, the vote should demonstrate that the military is backed by “a united people, bound together by history and values.”
He also said separately that the elections would be a response to those who, in his words, want to “weaken Russia and deprive it of its sovereignty.”
Putin also expressed confidence that “the most competent candidates” and “true patriots of Russia,” ready to defend the country against threats, would win the elections.
As a reminder, on August 10, Russia’s Supreme Court canceled the registration of the federal list of the Yabloko party for the September State Duma elections. It was the only registered party admitted to the elections that openly campaigned on an anti-war platform under the slogan “For Peace and Freedom.”
The court granted a lawsuit filed by the Rodina party. Among the main allegations were purported violations of intellectual property law in campaign materials and campaign financing rules. Yabloko rejected the accusations and stressed that the Central Election Commission had previously reviewed the party’s documents and approved its participation in the elections.
The party advocated a ceasefire, diplomacy and an end to the war. Yabloko has maintained an anti-war position since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Following the Supreme Court ruling, the party will not be able to participate in the State Duma elections through its federal list.
