The fate of the center left

“A Just Russia” published a manifesto full of accusations against the authorities and proposals to unite the “healthy forces of society.”

According to the party, “the political system is squeezed, competition and the possibility of choice are reduced to the limit. There is no civilian control over the activities of the state, which leads to the omnipotence of officials.” In addition, the manifesto states that the “social elevators” that ensure the advancement of talented people are cut short. Nepotism reigns in personnel policy. Children, relatives and loved ones of high-ranking officials occupy all the warm places.”

In order to change the situation and prevent a social explosion, the above-mentioned “healthy forces” must unite on the basis of “the desire for freedom and justice, the establishment of democracy and the rule of law, and ensuring equal opportunities for all citizens.”

The manifesto notes the integrity of party leader Sergei Mironov, who “did not hold on to the chair of the Chairman of the Federation Council.”

Presenting the manifesto at a press conference on August 23, the chairman of A Just Russia, Nikolai Levichev (Mironov handed over his powers to him on April 16), turned to the Communist Party of the Russian Federation and its leader Gennady Zyuganov with a proposal to create an “alliance of left forces” in order to destroy the plans of United Russia to obtain majority in the Duma elections.

The communists do not really believe in the possibility of an alliance with A Just Russia. A member of the presidium of the party's Central Committee, Duma deputy Sergei Obukhov, quoted by RIA Novosti, said that he does not understand what kind of alliance can be talked about if the creation of blocs from existing parties is prohibited by law. “If the same alliance as exists de jure between United Russia and A Just Russia—the Gryzlov-Mironov agreement on interaction and joint personnel policy in elections is in effect—then A Just Russia acts as a political bigamist,” he said Obukhov.