Election Commission Clears Yabloko to Run Pro-Peace Candidates in State Duma Races

July 29, 2026 yabloko.ru Russia’s Central Election Commission has approved more than 400 candidates from Yabloko, the country’s oldest liberal political party, to run in September’s parliamentary elections on a pro-peace platform, the party said Wednesday. Yabloko Chairman Nikolai Ryabkov said the decision gives Russians their first opportunity in five years “to vote for peace and freedom, offering a legal and safe way to advocate for a ceasefire agreement.” The party’s registration allows 269 candidates on its federal list and 135 single-mandate candidates to compete nationwide for seats in the State Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament. Election authorities had flagged discrepancies in application documents for 25 Yabloko candidates earlier in July, but only one candidate was disqualified after the commission certified the party’s revised filings. Yabloko said it still expects a “difficult campaign” ahead of the Sept. 20 elections. “Reading your comments and letters, we know we’re going to walk this path together,” the party said. The federal approval contrasts sharply with the hurdles facing Yabloko candidates in regional and local races set to take place alongside the parliamentary elections. Dozens of party members have seen their applications rejected at the local level, blocking them from the ballot. In addition to Yabloko, election officials have cleared the ruling United Russia party, the Communist Party, the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party, the center-right New People and the left-leaning A Just Russia to compete in September. Two other parties currently without State Duma representation were also approved to run candidates. Russian authorities have jailed several prominent Yabloko members in recent years on charges connected to their criticism of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Read more about: Yabloko , Central Election Commission , Elections , State Duma , Politics Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more In Photos: Residents of Remote Areas Start Voting in Russia's Presidential Election Russian election workers are making their way to voters in hard-to-reach parts of the country by helicopter, snowmobile and even dog sled. 1 Min read Russian Activist Crusades Against Domestic Violence in Duma Campaign Alyona Popova’s parliamentary election campaign focuses on anti-abuse legislation in a country where victims have little or no protection. ‘The Leftward Turn Is Inevitable’: In Lenin’s Hometown, Russian Communists Strive for Soviet Revival Despite Kremlin pressure, the party is hoping to use popular discontent over falling living standards to gain in Duma elections this week. ‘We Are Not Revolutionaries’: Russia’s Last Liberal Party Operates Under No Illusions Yabloko stalwarts see little chance of victory in September’s high-stakes elections to the country’s national parliament.