Political positions of Grigory Yavlinsky

Grigory Yavlinsky, a former member of the State Duma, leader of the Yabloko political party, and three-time Russian presidential candidate, has taken positions on many political issues through his public comments, his presidential campaign statements, and his voting record.

In regards to social issues, Yavlinsky has occupied the political left.[1] In terms of economic issues, Yavlinksy occupied the far-right of the Russian political spectrum. His ideology most strongly appealed to Russia's population of young intellectuals.[2] His politics can be classified as liberal-democratic.[3]

Domestic policy

Government reform

Yavlinsky had opposed Yeltsin's 1993 constitution, as he believed it restructured the government to have a far too authoritarian executive branch.[4] Yavkinsky opposed reductions if civil freedoms, and stood in strong opposition to the establishment of an authoritarian leadership.[3]

Yavlinsky has advocated undertaking a campaign to remove corruption in government.[3]

He has asserted that the judiciary of Russia should be made genuinely independent.[5]

Economic policy

During the 1995 legislative and 1996 presidential elections, Yavlinsky promised economic relief for the middle class that was neglected during Yeltsin's economic reforms.[6] At this time, Yavlinsky described the sort of individual that he believed might be drawn to Yabloko's platform by saying,

"We appeal, in the first place, to those who have suffered the most from the reforms, however, have not lost the faith and believe that there exists a way out of the current predicament. We appeal to the middle class, primarily to those who receive their wages from the state budget.[4]

Yavlinsky long had been a figure who supported democratic and free market reforms, but opposed the course of actions which Yeltsin's regime had taken to implement reforms.[7][4] Yabloko's economic platform sought to focus on a different order of priorities than both Yeltsin's regime and other democratic opposition parties had. Yavlinsky had declared,

As far as economic policy is concerned, the most important task for us is to create a single economical space embracing the entire CIS, to demonopolize the economy, to promote the development of a competitive medium, to make it so that proper ownership relations established in the country (in the sphere of land ownership first of all), to make it so that economic reforms develop from grass roots, not from top down. With regard to the majority of issues our colleagues (other democratic parties) suggest a different order of priorities.[4]

In the 1990s Yavlinsky advocated the creation of a flat tax.[3] He also advocated for a more transparent, responsible, and efficient budget policy.[3] He also argued that there was a need for policies aimed at supporting small and medium-sized businesses.[3]

Strengthening Russia's economy was one of the main focuses of Yavlinsky's 2018 campaign platform.[5] Yavlinsky stated that one of his main goals would be combating poverty.[8] He wants to give three acres of land for free to each Russian family so that they could build a home there and develop the land.[9]

Social policy

In regards to social issues, Yavlinsky has occupied the political left.[1]

When campaigning for the presidency in 1996, he aimed to honor government commitments to citizens' social security.[10]

He has advocated antidiscrimination protections for ethnic and religious minorities.[11]

Civil and human rights were key focuses of his 2018 campaign platform.[5]

Foreign policy

By 1995, in an effort to further differentiate themselves from Democratic Choice of Russia, Yabloko had begun to avoid explicitly presenting itself as a pro-Western party.[1]

Yavlinsky pursued a foreign policy guided by what he framed as "enlightened patriotism".[7]

Yavlinsky's did not support the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and believes that another referendum should be held in the disputed region, and that Russia should hold a conference with the United Nations and Ukraine to determine the status of the peninsula after recognizing the 2014 events as a violation of international law.[12] Yavlinsky essentially regards Crimea as part of Ukraine and stated the following: "Any form of forceful intervention in the internal affairs of Ukraine, as well as the incitement and propaganda of war should be stopped. Commitments to Ukraine's territorial integrity and respect by Russia of its international obligations should be declared at the highest state level."[13] Speaking at a televised debate in September 2016, Yavlinsky said he considers Russian actions in Ukraine to be an "absolute and complete disgrace".[13] In addition, he wants to withdraw all Russian forces from Syria, as well as take measures to normalize relations with the European Union and the United States,[5] as he considers Russia to be politically part of Europe.[8]

Yavlinsky believes that any escalation of tensions with North Korea and the possibility of a nuclear conflict there presents a major threat to Russia, and thus he did not support Donald Trump and his actions in regards to heightening tensions with North Korea in 2017.[14]

Military policy

Yavlinsky was strongly against the military conflict in Chechnya during both the First and Second Chechen Wars.[1][15][16] Unlike other major political parties in Russia, Yavlinsky's Yabloko had consistently opposed the Chechen War.[1][17] This was a position that had often placed the party at odds with pervailing public sentiments.[1]

References

1. White, David (2006). The Russian Democratic Party Yabloko: Opposition in a Managed Democracy. Ashgate Publishing, LTD.
2. The 1996 Russian presidential election / Jerry F. Hough, Evelyn Davidheiser, Susan Goodrich Lehmann. Brookings occasional papers.
3. "Russian Democratic Party YABLOKO". www.eng.yabloko.ru. Yabloko. n.d. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
4. Zamyatina, Tamara (December 1, 1995). "PARTIES: YABLOKO". www.jamestown.org. Prism. Retrieved August 19, 2018.
5. Президентская программа (in Russian). Yavlinsky campaign website. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
6. "Russian Election Watch no. 9". www.belfercenter.org. Belfer Center. October 1, 1995. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
7. Simes, Dimitri K (1999). After the Collapse. New York City: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-0-684-82716-2.
8. Явлинский представил президентскую программу "Дорога в будущее" (in Russian). Radio Svoboda. Published 5 December 2017. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
9. Yavlinsky spoke about his election program for the elections-2018 Archived 2017-12-07 at the Wayback Machine. Russian Reality. Published 21 March 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
10. Azhgikhina, Nadezhda (February 2, 2018). "Grigory Yavlinsky's Program Gives Russian Society a Chance to Preserve Its Dignity". www.thenation.com. The Nation. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
11. Papkova, Irina (2007). "The Russian Orthodox Church and Political Party Platforms" (PDF). www.academic.oup.com. Oxford University Press. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
12. Yavlinsky Says He Will Beat Putin in 2018 Presidential Elections. The Moscow Times. Published 4 March 2016. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
13. Yabloko's nominee for president of Russia in 2018 sees Crimea as Ukraine. Ukrainian Independent Information Agency. Published 18 January 2017. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
14. Явлинский: Трампу доверять нельзя, России грозит ядерный удар (in Russian). Pravda.ru. Published 5 December 2017. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
15. Smith, Kathleen E. (2002). Mythmaking in the New Russia. Ithaca and London: Cornell University Press.
16. https://articles.latimes.com/1993-10-12/news/wr-45027_1_grigory-yavlinsky/2
17. Lipshitz, Cnaan (January 19, 2018). "Liberal Jewish politician emerging as main opposition challenger to Putin". www.timesofisrael.com. Times of Israel. Retrieved August 19, 2018.