In a rare case of joint opposition against the United Russia, the Communist Party, the Liberal Democratic Party and the A Just Russia Party today spoke out against United Russia and its campaign in the Russian regions.
All three parties accuse the government-loyal United Russia of severe suppression of the political opposition. The criticism is directed both against the United Russia Duma representatives and against the party’s units in the regions and municipalities, Newsru.com reports.
March 1 is election day in 79 Russian federal subjects. Elections will be held on several levels, among them on city and town mayors, regional parliaments and town councils.
Dirty elections
-This is not elections, this is harsh, this is a barbarian campaign, LDPR leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky said in today’s State Duma session, Intefax reports. His whole party faction subsequently left the assembly hall as a sign of protest. Mr. Zhirinovsky maintains that United Russia supporters in the regions use all methods to hamper the work of the other parties. –They are confiscating newspapers, disrupt party rallies, he said.
-Police is all over the place, Mr. Zhirinovsky continued, claiming that the law enforcement authorities, the courts and prosecutor offices all close their eyes for the violations.
Arkhangelsk, Murmansk
The statements from Mr. Zhirinovsky are echoed by many observers in the regions. As BarentsObserver reported, Governor and United Russian member Ilya Mikhalchuk is accused of interference in the regional parliament elections in Arkhangelsk Oblast.
In Murmansk, Governor Yury Yevdokimov, despite his membership in the party, has himself accused United Russia of conducting a dirty election campaign.
