Yabloko, ALDE Party member party in Russia, held its Federal Council from 15-16 December in Moscow with more than 150 representatives of all the regional party branches gathering to discuss the situation in Russia as well as the ongoing reform of the party.

The Federal Council decided to continue the modernisation of the party, with a view to broadening the party membership, and educating, raising and promoting new young leaders. This will build upon the party’s social-liberal values, as well the political, moral and intellectual protest against the political system under Vladimir Putin.

At the plenary meeting, Grigory Yavlinsky, Chair of Yabloko Federal Political Committee and the party’s candidate for President, made a report on the political situation, its estimations and the conclusions that Yabloko should make. “Yabloko should become the party of the real future of Russia: the party of peace, moral choice and values,” he said.

Grigory Yavlinsky: Why modern Russia needs Yabloko https://t.co/QQUMot3aoQ pic.twitter.com/wWJGtXlDPH

Emilia Slabunova, Yabloko party Chair, said: “Our aim is to enter the parliament in 2021. In order to do so the party need to improve its organisational, informational and technological potential – to “build political muscles”. The politician believes that a reform of the party will help to achieve this goal”.

Emilia Slabunova: Our goal is to enter the parliament in 2021 https://t.co/JrUgczYFCv pic.twitter.com/hViFQv0FJs

Nikolai Ryabakov, Deputy Chair; Lev Schlosberg, member of Political Committee; Sergei Ivanenko, Deputy Chair and Political Committee member; and Boris Vishnevsky, Bureau member and head of the party’s faction in the St. Petersburg Parliament also spoke during the event. Click here to read more from their speeches.

Lev Shlosberg: We can hear you. We understand you. We will not give up. We will not betray you. https://t.co/TVjfnmaE4P https://t.co/kkBmeGteYz

The Party also held seminars and panel discussions on the different aspects of the party reform, some federal projects, and the forthcoming regional and municipal elections.

During the Federal Council meeting the number 25 was displayed on the back screen as this year marks 25 years of the party, making it the oldest democratic party in Russia. At the end of the two-day meeting, a documentary film dedicated to this 25th anniversary was also launched.

At this link, you can watch the livestream of the plenary session.

If you want to read more on the decisions taken by Yabloko Federal Council, please click here.