Russia's opposition seeks leader as new party forms in Berlin

A new Russian opposition political party, "The Peaceful Forces of Russia," has been founded in Berlin, aiming to promote a peaceful future for the country. Led by Kremlin critic and former political prisoner Ilya Yashin, the movement held a meeting in the German capital to elect leadership and outline its agenda.

Yashin stated on Telegram, "Putin leads the party of war, and we lead the party of peace." This initiative emerges as Russia tightens domestic restrictions and public discontent grows, though President Vladimir Putin reportedly maintains high approval ratings domestically, with 71% of Russians approving of his performance according to state-run polling agency VCIOM.

Experts express skepticism about the exiled opposition's ability to influence events within Russia due to its historical fragmentation and internal rivalries. Russia expert Andreas Heinemann-Grüder of the University of Bonn noted that opposition figures have often struggled to accept leadership, likening the situation to a desire to be a "little Lenin." He suggested that a government-in-exile, reflecting Russia's multiethnic character and operating with a decentralized structure, might be a more viable path forward.

Heinemann-Grüder drew a parallel to Iran's opposition, which has rallied around Reza Pahlavi, providing a clear figurehead. In contrast, Russia's opposition lacks a single prominent leader, with names like Kasparov, Khodorkovsky, Kara-Murza, and Yashin all being mentioned without a clear consensus. The expert also pointed to the legacy of Alexei Navalny, who focused on anti-corruption, and suggested that the current opposition must learn from both his approach and that of older parties like Yabloko, while also defining a clearer vision for Russia's future governance and structure.

Concerns were raised about the potential for Russian intelligence services to infiltrate the new party. Heinemann-Grüder cautioned that while secrecy might seem prudent, it could lead to the movement becoming too closed off. He emphasized that for Yashin to succeed, he must organize internal ballots and not simply be chosen by a small group of functionaries, applying the democratic standards demanded of the Kremlin to the opposition's own structures.