Does Russia Still Have an Opposition?

Author(s): Andrew Wilson
Editor(s): Matthias Neumann, Robert Orttung, Jeronim Perovic, Heiko Pleines, Hans-Henning Schröder
Series: Russian Analytical Digest (RAD)
Issue: 28
Pages: 8-10
Publisher(s): Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich; Research Centre for East European Studies, University of Bremen
Publication Year: 2007

Russia's traditional liberal opposition of Yabloko and the Union of Right-wing Forces will play little role in the 2007 State Duma elections. Also marginalized are wild cards Garry Kasparov, Mikhail Kasyanov, Dmitry Rogozin, and Eduard Limonov. Generally Kremlin opponents have not adjusted to the current rules of the game by uniting their efforts, transcending past identities, and reducing associations with discredited figures like Anatoly Chubais. Beyond its main party United Russia, the Kremlin has set up its own opposition in Just Russia, but it is not clear if this effort to establish a two-party system will be any more effective than the attempt in 1995. The main task for the Kremlin is to preserve its resources and popularity at a time when the opposition is not even powerful enough to challenge the authorities' agenda.

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