| Ivan MELNIKOV, Deputy Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation:
- I think our electoral association was not noticed in this kind of technology. Yes, we don’t have such opportunities. You see that we have been excommunicated from electronic media; there is no opportunity to speak on any television channel. Noisy actions make sense when there is wide access to television, so this kind of action is typical for the party in power. And then, this is not our style. Our style is direct communication with the voter, honest dialogue. We are confident that during such a conversation we can explain our position, give arguments, and the attitude of voters towards us as a result of such discussions changes, according to our observations, for the better. Another important component of the election campaign is to protect the votes that voters will cast for us. Therefore, there is a program “For Clean, Fair Elections”; in a number of regions we initiated such a program and entered into relevant political agreements not only with our allies, but also with our political opponents in the elections. In any case, scandals are not our style, we have never used such technology and are not going to use it in the future. As for scandals, although the election campaign has not yet formally entered the initial stage, these technologies are already being used. Previously, there was a famous project by Dorenko, and I think that Karaulov is now playing a similar role.
Boris NEMTSOV, co-chairman of the Union of Right Forces:
- The Union of Right Forces has developed an election strategy based on the fact that censorship will be introduced in the country, access to television channels will be blocked, the authorities will fight us, and yet we will still win. Scandals? Let's do without this!
Andrey ISAEV, member of the General Council of the United Russia party:
- Of course, our party cannot afford anything like this, since we are a centrist, socially conservative party. Our electorate simply does not accept political forces that base their election campaign on eccentricities. This is more likely the electorate of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, maybe to some extent the People's Party. Our electorate is completely different, so we will build a solid election campaign, which does not exclude holding exciting events, such as the All-Russian forum of supporters of our party. We will not use scandalous situations for PR. We just have a certain political position, we live with it. If this position leads to a scandal, as was the case, for example, around energy, we come to a collision, this is inevitable. But the party will certainly not specifically look for any reasons to carry out some scandalous actions.
Sergei IVANENKO, deputy head of the Yabloko faction in the State Duma:
-- Voters react to scandals not only in Russia. Remember France, where Le Pen was supported. As for the situation in the State Duma, when the television cameras turn off, everyone becomes normal people. The same Zhirinovsky. The Yabloko faction, of course, will never use such means to increase its popularity. Of course, during parliamentary discussions, sometimes I want to punch you in the face. But our voters will not understand this.
Viktor POKHMELKIN, co-chairman of the Liberal Russia party:
- As for all sorts of loud, noisy actions, we don’t need to invent anything ourselves. The authorities give us very real reasons for this. Kasyanov signed a resolution to increase customs duties on foreign cars. This is a very serious topic for us, and it is natural that we will organize protests. Next, the law on motor vehicle insurance comes into force - and we will advocate for its repeal in the form in which it was adopted. Shows and entertainment events like concerts may not lead to serious electoral results, because, firstly, everyone will be doing this, and secondly, our voters have already learned to recognize these things. That is, a person would be happy to go to a concert, listen and clap, but will vote for another party. As for scandals, I’m not afraid of them, but I don’t particularly strive for them either. If objectively there are conditions for a scandal and it is of a meaningful nature - for example, a serious conflict with the authorities, with political opponents on issues that are significant to the voter - then yes, of course, this situation should not be avoided. I believe that a real politician should be able to, if not create conflict situations, then at least navigate them and get out of them honestly. A scandal is not an end in itself, but if such a situation arises, I am not afraid of it. For example, the conflict with the so-called wing of Boris Berezovsky. Berezovsky and I found ourselves on opposite sides of the barricades, and this is to our benefit - “Liberal Russia” will be completely cleared of Berezovism. Although I think that in the elections there will be only one “Liberal Russia” - ours.
Vladimir ZHIRINOVSKY, chairman of the LDPR:
- What kind of PR is that! At the end of the spring session, I did not let Seleznev onto the podium because I was not given the floor, but according to the regulations they were obliged to give it. I don't specifically plan any scandals. Remove -- Ksenia VERETENNIKOVA, Natalia ROZHKOVA
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