The package of proposed political reforms, which include easing registration rules for political parties and returning the direct election of governors, has been viewed as a concession to opposition groups in the wake of mass public protests against election fraud in recent months.
Parnas member Konstantin Merzlikin said in a statement Thursday that the working group is not taking the opposition's interests into account, saying changes recommended by Parnas and opposition parties Russian People's Democratic Union, also known as RNDS, and Left Front were not accepted for examination by legislators.
"I was told [by someone] in the presidential administration that not a single one of the fundamental changes to the party legislation proposed together by Parnas, RNDS and Left Front that were approved at a meeting of the working group will be examined at a committee meeting," Merzlikov said.
He said the main adjustment the opposition parties were pushing for was a simplified procedure for registering new parties and measures to ensure parties' "independence."
"It's becoming obvious that the so-called Medvedev political reform and the announced ambition to take the opposition's interests into consideration is nothing more than a profanation," Merzlikov said.
A State Duma committee meeting to discuss changes to the draft laws is scheduled for Friday, he said in the statement.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
