Sps, Yabloko Leaders Not Surprised With United Russia Giving Up Federal Three

MOSCOW. Oct 2 (Interfax) – The Union of Right Forces said it is logical for United Russia to refuse to form the first Three at the State Duma elections and has decided that the election list will be headed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“This is a weighed decision. United Russia could not find equal colleagues for Putin by scale and popularity,” Union of Right Forces leader Nikita Belykh told Interfax on Tuesday evening.

“This United Russia step was possible because the law does not forbid it, and I consider this form to be acceptable,” Belykh said.

The Yabloko party also said that this United Russia step was predictable.

“This was an obvious decision. The unexpected thing was that Vladimir Putin agreed to head the United Russia list. Who could be included in the Three with Putin? It is obvious that there are no such persons within the party. It is obvious that voting for United Russia is voting for one person,” Deputy Yabloko Chairman Sergei Ivanenko told Interfax on Tuesday evening.

“But we are concerned about another thing. We are running in the elections in opposition to Putin, not to Gryzlov. But in connection with the recent decisions, administrative resources will be doubled in support of United Russia. And this is causing serious concern,” Ivanenko said.

“The control over elections under these conditions is becoming one of the main factors that will influence the result. We shall seek to create serious public support for control of the upcoming elections. And if the whole system works for one person, it is difficult to say that these elections are free and honest,” he said.

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