The latest changes to the Russian electoral laws were made in November 2006. They include an abolishment of the minimum turnout to declare the election as valid; the impossibility for people accused of “extremism” to be registered as candidates (although the term “extremism” has no clear legal definition) and an abolishment of the right to campaign against other candidates and parties in TV programs (which makes the opposition unable to criticize governmental parties and governmental policy during election campaigns). These are the latest in a series of changes to Russia’s election laws that have ended the direct election of regional leaders and raised the threshold for parties to enter parliament.

“Opposition parties are facing growing obstacles to participate in elections in Russia. Europe must encourage a change of trend so that Russia evolves towards a real democracy in the best interest of both Russia and the EU,” stated ELDR Party President Annemie Neyts.

Grigory Yavlinsky, Leader of Yabloko, one of Russia's leading political parties, warns of the lack of an open political life, restrictions to parliamentary democracy and a nationalist trend in Russia. “The latest changes in the electoral laws mean that the government has nearly completed the eradication of political parties and candidates which are not pro-government. Political parties are now faced with the option of showing love or even greater love to the President! It is only possible to go one step further and to abandon all elections and appoint members of parliament”, he declared.