Parnas abandoned republican past – Kommersant

Party RPR – Parnassus yesterday at an extraordinary congress, as he wrote, “Kommersant”, changed its structure, giving up the institute of co-chairmanship. Mikhail Kasyanov became the sole leader of the party, he will have three deputies. Delegates decided to reduce the party’s name by removing from it the first part of the RPR, not to confuse voters. The congress also adopted a statement on the need for an international investigation into the murder of Boris Nemtsov, co-chairman of the party.

The Congress began with a minute of silence in memory of Boris Nemtsov, who was killed in Moscow on February 27. The delegates adopted a statement on the need for international monitoring of the investigation into the murder, and agreed to provide funding for the memorial sign at the site where the policy on the Great Moscow River bridge, if the Moscow City Duma will allow to install it. “Given the difficult situation and the fact that the investigation was virtually deadlocked, it is necessary to start an international investigation into the murder of Boris Nemtsov,” – said his lawyer Vadim Prokhorov (currently represents the interests of the children of Mr. Nemtsov). He said that there are mechanisms that allow to initiate an investigation within one of the international organizations – the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the UN, the European Court of Human Rights. Member of the board Ilya Yashin said that the investigation lacked the political will, which means that the “political killings continue” and it is “a matter of personal safety” of the opposition.

Due to the fact that Mikhail Kasyanov was the only co-chairman of the party (Vladimir Ryzhkov, left the party in 2014), the Congress decided to abandon the institute of co-chairmanship. Mr. Kasyanov called it a transition to the “classic model” – with one chairman and three of his deputies. At the same time, he noted that he would like to continue working with the two co-chairmen, but the serious candidates for this position there. “No Alexei Navalny nor Mikhail Khodorkovsky today will not join our party and elected co-chairmen, but in the future, I think it will happen,” – said Mr Kasyanov. Note that in late 2014 talks about their joining the party led and Boris Nemtsov.

On the presidency was offered only the candidacy of Mikhail Kasyanov. “The party has a leader, and let us not come up with anything further,” – said Ilya Yashin. Mr. Kasyanov made it clear that as his deputies sees members of the political council of Vladimir Kara-Murza (Jr.), Ilya Yashin and

Konstantin Merzlikina. He noted that Vladimir Kara-Murza fall to be treated for poisoning abroad, but until the end of the summer is expected to recover. All nominations were approved by the delegates.

At the suggestion of Mikhail Kasyanov, Congress cut the name of the party by removing from it the first part of the RPR, as long name confuses voters and bad “falls on the ears and eyes.” Samara delegate Andrei Balin “as a professional marketer,” suggested the acronym to write in capital letters, and instead of “official” job title “Chairman” to use the “prime minister”. “Prime Parnas Mikhail Kasyanov,” – he said, but the idea did not find understanding. The majority of delegates – 101 of 133 – voted in favor of the change.

At the Congress the representatives of the democratic coalition, created on the basis of Parnassus to participate in the elections to the Duma in 2016 (see. “Kommersant” on April 18). Members of the “Democratic Choice”, the Progress Party Alexei Navalny, December 5 Party said that the initiative was a robust association and the election will be much easier to participate together. Kasyanov said that coalitions are waiting for new participants. “We leave the door open to a neighboring Party -” Apple “for Gudkov (Dmitry and Gennadiya.- ” b “), Ryzhkov, Nechayev (” Civil Initiative “.- ” b “) “, – he said.

From “Civil Initiative” the party co-operation has not yet formed. The deputy city council of Obninsk, Kaluga Branch Manager RPR – Parnassus Tatyana Kotlyar leaves the party and will run for the legislative assembly from the party Andrei Nechayev. The decision she took after delisting RPR – Parnassus for violation of democratic coalition agreement: department put her at the top of the list, despite the fact that the primaries defeated the co-founder of “Disserneta” Andrew Zayakin. “Since I was removed from the election, so do not trust me, and I find it unacceptable to continue to lead the department,” – said Ms. Kotlyar “b”. Ilya Yashin told “Kommersant” that the new head of the department will most likely Dulenko Alex, who was second in the list of the legislative assembly. Mikhail Kasyanov said yesterday that the party could not violate the principles of the coalition for the sake of Mrs. Kotlyar.

Taisia ​​Bekbulatova Darya Zelenska