Election campaign to new Russian parliament was carried out in the heat of war between federal forces and Chechen separatists. Those two events greatly influenced all political development of the country in second half of 1995. Each of politicians aspired to establish his own political block or association on the threshold of elections to the State Duma.
In 1995, on the eve of autumn elections to the Russian parliament there were 50 parties, movements and blocks, which had united more than 250 various political organizations of a most various orientation. Reflection of inability to find a compromise between personal and group interests of Russian political elite resulted in registration of 43 election blocks and parties, which were to run in elections. Against a background of abundance of election associations, different from each other not so much in program, but in names of participants, ramified and organized structure of Communist party of Russian Federation, led by G.A.Zyuganov, stood out clearly. It had the political program, the core of which was severe criticism of B.N.Yeltsin's political regime and his "antinational course". Another organized and financially well-provided force, participating in elections was Liberal-Democratic Party (LDPR) led by V.V.Zhirinovsky.
According to Election legislation, which set 5 % barrier for parties, wanting to be represented in the State Duma, a convincing victory during the elections to the VIth State Duma, carried out on December 7, 1995, was won by the Communist party of the Russian Federation, it got about 22% of votes. The second place was taken by LDPR (about 11%), and the third was movement "Our home - Russia" (about 10%). Opposition-minded democratic part of electorate supported 'Yabloko" association headed by G.A.Yavlinsky and V.P.Lukin (about 7 %).
In single member constituencies the preference of voters and their sympathies were divided in the following way: the Communist party of the Russian Federation got 53 mandates, 'Our home Russia - 10, "Yabloko" - 14. A part of known politicians - leaders of election associations, which failed to pass 5 % barrier, appeared in Duma through victories in single member constituencies. Crushing defeat in parliamentary elections of 1995 suffered leaders of the Vth Duma - and first of all "Democratic choice of Russia" led by E.T.Gaidar.
Alignment of forces in the VIth State Duma was reflected in election of G.N.Seleznev, a representative of Communist party, to the post of the Chairman of State Duma. E.S.Stroyev, the governor of Orlovskaya oblast, a former member of Political Bureau of Central committee of C.P.S.U. was at the head of just formed Council of Federation.
Results of parliamentary elections of 1995 reflected a drastic contradiction between the tough policy of economic reforms, carried out by the administration of B.N.Yeltsin, and increasing opposition to social consequences of this policy in the Russian society. |
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