Russia's Supreme Court upholds decision to disqualify Yabloko party from election

The Supreme Court of Russia has upheld a decision banning the Yabloko party from participating in the elections.

The party was banned from participating in the Duma elections on August 10. The court made this decision based on a lawsuit by the Rodina party. Rodina's lawsuit alleged that Yabloko violated copyright in its campaign and was financed from abroad.

On August 17, more than 85 people were detained by police outside the Supreme Court building during a court hearing on Yabloko's appeal. Ultimately, the court rejected the appeal against the decision.

The State Duma elections will be held on September 20, 2026. Yabloko was the only party in Russia to go to the elections with the anti-war slogan "For peace and freedom!".

Meduza's sources close to President Putin's administration told the publication that the "Yabloko" party would not be able to participate in federal elections under such a slogan in the fall of 2025. The political bloc of the presidential administration initially planned to conduct the Duma campaign "according to a conservative scenario," that is, with controlled participants. According to Meduza's sources, "Yabloko" was registered to participate in the elections, but was excluded "to prevent risks" when the party's rating began to grow.