15th convention of the Russian united democratic party “Yabloko”, held last weekend in a near-Moscow region, had been called to be a historical one even before the political report by Grigory Yavlinsky. Since Saturday morning, the deputies who were going to vote for Maxim Reznik as a counterbalance to their “eternal” leader, were confused with a leak that Grigory Yavlinsky intended to give up his powers after 15 years of leadership.     

However, as it was stated at the convention, part of previous powers by the chair, including the right of summoning special conventions, will be passed to a new collective body – that’s so called Political Committee. According to Novaya Gazeta information, it will be composed of those leaders of the party who don’t want to work with the new head.  

Address by Grigory Yavlinsky least of all reminded of a work-done report, considering that the detailed document had been distributed among those present. In his speech, Mr. Yavlinsky reproached the authorities for existing authoritarian system with mobilization ideology. Raised standards of living are spoiled with high rates of inflation, seven signs of which the Dr. of Economics Grigory Yavlinsky named. The policy by Russia became to be featured with show-business technologies instead of strategic thinking. Practically, Yabloko suggested that the Kremlin solve this problem with adopting the party’s products.

It’s exactly this readiness for cooperation with authorities that was opposed fiercely by St Petersburg’s Yabloko members who stated “No suggestions are possible to be realized within the standing system of power that is absolutely separated from the society”. 

Nonetheless, no significant ideological disagreement was found within the party. Everyone was unanimous in the wish of getting over the unpleasant trend of losing popularity among that 10% of the population without which no successful reform could be possible in the country. The majority spoke against even tactical alliances with nationalists or Stalinists, as well as with “corruptionists of the 90’s” as they called the founders of SPS.   

Yabloko members are rather ready to proclaim themselves to be a social democratic party than to be dissolved within Other Russia and similar coalitions.

Yavlinsky has left having proposed to vote for the leader of Moscow branch, Sergei Mitrokhin. The delegates postponed the balloting beyond the midnight as there was a Netherland-Russia match. On the moment of writing this article it was still unknown who has become the new chair of the party.