Russia’s Supreme Court cancels the registration of Yabloko, an opposition party that campaigns on an openly pro-peace platform, barring it from appearing on the party-list ballot for the September State Duma elections. The court’s decision follows a lawsuit filed by the pro-Kremlin Rodina (Motherland) party, and Yabloko says it will appeal.
All outlets describe Yabloko as the only registered party running on anti-war themes in the upcoming vote, and they link the ban to Russia’s tightened political environment amid the war in Ukraine. Reports also note that Yabloko’s campaign had previously been tolerated for some time but faced growing restrictions this year, including prevention from participating in some regional and municipal elections.
Outlets differ mainly in emphasis: Human Rights Watch and several media describe the ban as part of broader repression that limits voters’ ability to express opposition to the war and to political rights concerns. Others focus more on the legal grounds cited by the court, including allegations involving copyright and campaign materials, claims of foreign funding, and campaign spending limit breaches. Some outlets add details about public support outside the court hearing and Yabloko leadership pledging to continue advocating for peace from within Russia.
