All Five of Russia’s Parliamentary Parties – Including United Russia -- Having Trouble Recruiting Candidates for Regional Elections, ‘Vyorstka’ Says

Paul Goble

            Staunton, June 20 – All five of Russia’s parliamentary parties are having trouble finding enough candidates for September’s elections in 20 federal subjects which will choose governors, 11 that will elect deputies to regional legislative assemblies, and 25 which will select deputies to city councils, according to an investigation by Vyorstka reports.

            At least in part, potential candidates don’t see any real advantages to running and many “don’t want to be connected to the political system in wartime” lest it hurt them more than help them in their personal lives, the news service says (verstka.media/slishkom-dorogaya-czena-za-dekoracziyu-politiki-pochemu-v-rossii-nikto-ne-hochet-idti-v-deputaty).

            Moreover, many with whom the news service spoke don’t believe that those who serve in such positions in fact will get to make decisions on their own and fear that they will be blamed for supporting the powers that be when the latter decide what they want. That blame, they fear, will have a negative impact on their lives.

            In the words of one Vyorstka spoke – and all did so on condition of anonymity – “political apathy ahs reached the point when even systemic players don’t see it useful to participate.” If you lose, you will be blamed; but if you win, you will as well. “In general, it isn’t important whether you are loyal or not: you’ll pay a high price for being a political decoration.”

            Potential candidates are also put off by the low or non-existent salaries of deputies at the lower level and by restrictions on their activities if they get into office. And they face problems in raising money for their campaigns because many parties don’t have money for that and business no longer sees investing in candidates as useful, Vyorstka reports experts say.

            This problem, which has existed for some time, is now getting worse and affects both the situation in party list voting and in single-member districts. According to Stanislav Andreychuk of the Golos organization, “the stimuli to take part in elections are few, the benefits doubtful, and the risks high.”