It has been rumoured that the All-Russian Television and Radio Broadcasting Corporation, that controls one of the leading federal channels, Rossia, has been secretly forbidden to broadcast statements by Anatoly Chubais, one of the co-chairmen of the Union of Rightist Forces (or SPS), and Grigory Yavlinsky, the leader of the Yabloko party.
The “four factions” scenario, that envisages ousting both SPS and Yabloko from the lower house, to all appearances, has been launched. Meanwhile, it seems obvious that the enmity between the two leading liberal-democratic parties, on which the SPS and Yabloko have wasted so many resources, leads to a weakening of influence in both.

- Will the political strategy of the SPS and Yabloko change in connection with the changes in the political situation in the country following Khodorkovsky’s arrest? In an interview to Gazeta.Ru the leader of , Boris Nemtsov, answers that question.
- I maintain that as early as December 8, that is immediately after the elections to the State Duma we must sit down at the negotiating table with representatives of the democratic parties and movements, and rapidly move towards the creation of a wide coalition, able to nominate a single candidate for the presidential post, and to take a consolidated position in the future State Duma.
Actually, we made such proposals as early as the beginning of this year. I am convinced that if then, we had managed to set up a coalition, nothing of what has been happening now would have happened. Just imagine, the number of representatives of democratic parties amounts not to 30-50 but to 100 people. Such force anyone would have to reckon with.
The question is whether Russia will ever be free and truly prosperous, or will this be a country of informers and people being gagged. That is, in fact, the choice we are facing. And for the sake of that choice I believe one has to restrain his ambitions a bit.
On December 8 we must sit down at the negotiating table without any preliminary conditions. Sitting down before that date makes no sense for the rules presuppose competition. There are lists endorsed by the CEC and there is the election struggle that cannot be cancelled. Therefore, we will sit down on December 8. The position of the Union of Rightist Forces is to do everything to ensure the creation of such a coalition in the name of a free Russia.
I believe that the number of those who hinder unification diminishes day by day. The business community, Russian human rights organizations and prudent political leaders of various parties –all of them are closer to that stance than those who are set to maintain their political egoism to the last drop of blood.
Yabloko and the SPS have agreed that in single-mandate constituencies where candidates nominated by either of the parties have chances to win, the other party would not nominate its candidate.
- How may Voloshin’s resignation affect the party’s life?
- I hold that Voloshin is leaving for he disagrees with the policy of the state as regards to businesses and society as a whole. Obviously the Kremlin’s refusing a dialogue with the leaders of leading political forces of the country is an unprecedented event. And it is a grave mistake. As a matter of fact, refusing a dialogue is always a mistake.
One can understand Voloshin. I disagree with him in many ways. I believe that he himself is the author of a controllable democracy in Russia, including the introduction of censorship and so forth. But what he is doing now, from his standpoint is quite explicable. As to the political prospects, should there be no real coalition of democratic forces in the country, they all will be crushed one by one. And this will be the end of it.
It is believed that certain problems in interaction between liberal-democratic forces are connected with the rivalry between Khodorkovsky and Chubais.
There is no rivalry. It is sheer nonsense. Chubais and the SPS as a whole is the only party that has taken a tough stance. Haven’t you noticed? It has not gone into hiding, has not been scared of anything, and has not been afraid to speak out loud.
Anatoly Chubais, speaking in Svanidze’s programme (on Rossia TV on Sunday), has clearly stated his and our common position. What kind of rivalry is that? One should not consider people that mean-minded. When there is a serious danger, and it clearly exists, in the face of that danger any personal relationships, grudges, the history of relations, - all fades into the background.
- And still, how in the light of the latest events can democratic parties solve the issue concerning the 2004 presidential election?
- There are certain methods, one of which we have suggested. I would not want to actualize that issue now, for this is the issue for negotiations, but there are methods, that, in my opinion, are quite reasonable and objective.
For instance, one may act taking into account the outcome of the parliamentary elections, or through the methods of large-scale primaries, or through public opinion polls. This is a technological issue. I believe that first of all the political question needs to be solved, and only then may various schemes be proposed.