A conference of democratic opposition leaders took place last Saturday in Saint Petersburg. The participants decide to take time until autumn considering creation of a broad coalition, but failed to agree on any particular unifying steps
The venue where "New Agenda for Russia's Democratic Movement" conference took place was kept in secret until the last moment. The organizers feared the authorities would try to prevent them from meeting. In fact, nothing impeded the event, even the much-advertised Olympic torch relay that happened in Saint Petersburg the same day.
Arriving at the Angleterre Hotel, the participants were met by riot police and pro-Kremlin young activists, who shouted their usual slogans about "Washington-funded" opposition. It was later said, though, that the event was sponsored by an undisclosed Russian businessman.
The "New Agenda" did not really sound anything new - opposition activists came to Saint Petersburg to discuss a coalition or a new opposition party they could form, or a movement, or any form of unity. Many declined to participate - the Yabloko party (some members were present, but they risked to be expelled from the party by its leadership), the former PM Mikhail Kasyanov, Vladimir Ryzhkov from the unofficial Republican Party. "Another Russia" coalition was represented only by one of its leaders Garry Kasparov, and not the radical leftist Eduard Limonov.
The conference was opened by Vladimir Bukovsky, the Soviet-era dissident who was invited to Saint Petersburg as the meeting moderator. Bukovsky said he doubted the need to create an officially registered political opposition party. Instead, he suggested returning to the idea of "mass resistance movement".
But many delegates were ready to discuss unity. Yabloko's Mikhail Amosov said local democratic conferences should take place so that an opposition movement can be created on grassroots level. SPS leader Nikita Belykh said there was a need to "reload democrats" and called for a creation of a joint organization.
Ivan Starikov from People's Democratic Union also said a political party was necessary, but his idea of the future included an alliance with left-wing politicians, which many delegates would not approve.
Sergei Fadeev from Yabloko told the participants there was no use talking about a political party, as the authorities would never officially register it. SPS Boris Nemtsov called to think of 2020, and to spend the 12 coming years on educational efforts, "the fight for independent trade unions and disclosure of Putin's crimes".
Having very different views of the future structure and role of the opposition, delegates, however, signed a general declaration and formed a 12-member Steering Committee. The group is supposed to prepare a platform for the future broad coalition of opposition forces. All the other issues were scheduled for discussion at the Assembly which is planned for autumn.
Vera Kholmogorova
Photo: ITAR-TASS
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