We should have thought ahead on 18 March, of course [the presidential election 2018]. On that day Putin was given the mandate to raise the retirement age, raise taxes (increase the VAT), continue wars in Ukraine and Syria, international isolation, arms race, gubernatorial merry-go-round… It is a pity as everything has been clear from the beginning, and there was an alternative.

Six month after the question “What shall we do?” comes up more often than not. Journalists are especially concerned. Now that the federal elections are over how are we to stop the downfall and fight a mafia state?

1. What shall we do?

– stop wars with Ukraine and in Syria;

– release political prisoners;

– cancel the silly and predatory pension reform;

– ensure the inviolability of private property;

– exclude the causes of the failure of state structures, space industry, education, science and sports;

– end the arms race and confrontation with all the world;

– realise a plan to lift sanctions;

– end lies, propaganda and warmongering in mass media;

(For further detail please read my presidential programme).

2. What shall we do in practical terms?

Step one. Those who share this stance should become members of Yabloko. Joining an opposition party that has been fighting the authoritarian lawlessness, corruption and standing up for efficient modern economy for years now is the most effective act of protest.

If we have an opposition political force, a legal force with a party status, that unites millions of people, we would be able to hold large-scale protest manifestations. A force like this would be able to monitor the work of the government, make it accountable to people, work our will by means of rallies, mass media, social media, etc. on the basis of law and the Constitution. If millions of people take part in this work, the process would become large-scale and no one would stop it.

Only people themselves can solve this difficult problem. It is the responsibility of opposition-minded politicians to provide citizens with an opportunity. This opportunity has already been given – Yabloko is a real all-Russia opposition political structure. The mere fact that millions of people join an opposition political party is an expression of political protest. This is the first step, an absolutely necessary step, to do away with mafia and save the country.