Centre for Monitoring Democratic Processes «Quorum»

Now all political parties seriously concerns formation of a youth wing. And it is not casual: we have a young president for the post and fresh «first hundred». There is a reasonable question: the youth factor in the politician is how much important?

On March, 4th, 2009 in news agency "Rosbalt" (Moscow, Skatertniy the lane, 4/2, building 1) has taken place a round table on a theme «Elections and youth», organised by the Center of social and political researches "Aspect" at partnership of the Centre for Monitoring Democratic Processes "Quorum".
The round table has been devoted results of the electionsin in regions Russian Federations which have passed on March, 1st. On action the data of independent observers has been presented, to association of the noncommercial organisations on protection of suffrages «Civil control», SMS from citizens — «The Truth Code», and also the summary data from the Central Electoral Committee.

Leaning against the real data, visitors have discussed questions of importance of participation of youth in selective process how much today's Russian political practice promotes development of trust to elections from outside young citizens, have offered measures for increase in activity of participation of youth in all elements of an electoral system.

In discussion have taken part:
• Elvira Ermakova, member of Central Election Committee of RF;
• Irina Pleshcheva, member of Public Chamber of RF;
• Maxim Mishchenko, the deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation;
• Mateusz Piskorski, doctor of political science, the ex-deputy of Polish Sejm;
• Alexandr Ignatov, The chief executive of the Russian public institute of the suffrage;
• Representatives of youth public organisations, participants of the last elections in regions;
• Representatives of regional territorial election committees;
• Members of Association of the noncommercial organisations on protection of suffrages «Civiс control».

Conversation there has begun a member of the Central election committee of the Russian Federation Elvira Ermakova. It is known that present, Churov's Central Electoral Committee structure densely works with young voters. Ermakova has noticed that the senior generation of Russians is accustomed to go on elections all our history, — that too is good. But it is very important, that on elections the youth has come, and has come realized.

Then have passed to more sensitive issue. Elvira Ermakova has opposed youth quotas in power representative bodies though recognised that repeatedly heard from leaders of the youth organisations: «We cannot get to the power, quotas are necessary to us». In such statement of the request of young leaders cause not enough sympathy. And Ermakova has quite fairly opposed to such applicants of the candidate, won elections in Vladimir region: the 34-year-old businessman has already fulfilled one term in Legislative Assembly, after a victory on one-mandatory district, now with triumph has passed the second time and any quotas never in a life used.

As to honesty of elections Elvira Leonidovna has underlined: «They also are not present, these infringements, — but, of course, those who has lost, complain … Well, what, there on a lasso, whether that, conduct to vote?» In conclusion of Ermakova has noticed that careless officials on places could at the very beginning of winter «skating rinks for people fill in», and that skating obviously is not in our country at level corresponding to a climate. It is possible to add: it was necessary to fill in skating rinks in November, instead of to distribute pancakes in day of voting as it here and there took place to be.

Then the young deputy of the State Duma Maxim Mishchenko has acted. Last years Mishchenko was known as the leader of public organisation «Russia the Young».

«A little bit it is a shame to me», — Mishchenko begins intrigues and has explained that in new structure of the State Duma it has taken a place earlier belonging to Elvira Ermakova. Then, with unexpected self-criticism, the deputy has assumed that if not a youth quota on which it has got to parliament, now, most likely, «unloaded cars». Probably, Mishchenko hinted at the diplom of The Bauman Moscow State Technical University which any more does not provide today with work, — anyway, its words have brought revival in discussion.

According to Maxim Mishchenko, earlier, in 90th years and at the beginning of the century, «the youth considered that politicians is attendants of financial groups». Therefore this area did not involve neither modestly provided youth, nor those who has succeeded under capitalism. «Now the situation all over the world was heated, — has noticed Mishchenko. – And young men began to reflect».

On supervision of the deputy, recently style of thinking on type «I could live on Manhattan and with Demi Moore to share secrets» more is not actual. Young men and girls come down to earth, and local heads endure own "shock": «the Federal authority collects youth – what for?!» But also the federal authority of Mishchenko who has advised not any youth to collect, be released from those «sticked» to it.

In protection of youth quotas the leader of movement «Young guards of an United Russia» Ruslan Gatarov has expressed. As he has fairly noted, if quotas are not, youth will tell: «You young, suffer!» Here Gatarov has expressively patted shoulder the neighbour, the chairman of the youth organisation of Liberal Democratic Party of Russia Pavel Piatnitskiy. «Earlier in the politician there were no young faces, — Gatarov has declared. – the youngest – Zhirinovsky». In general, according to Ruslana, «if there will be no quota at young and one percent will not be». Though, of course, before to take advantage of a quota, it is necessary to work at municipal level properly.
Well, and what really exists, — whether is quite good? Tone of conversation was changed just by Pavel Piatnitskiy whom Gatarov before it has patted shoulder. «Here all have begun for health, — he has noted. – for the peace of, nevertheless, too is».

«I was the vice-president of youth parliament of the Novosibirsk region, — have told Piatnitskiy. – Any person therefrom neither in municipal, nor in regional authorities has not passed. I since 2000 watch all youth parliaments: their any project is not realised! And simply to show any posters and booklets – me as the head of the youth organisation it does not arrange!» At the same time Pavel Piatnitskiy has complained that on elections in the Bryansk regional thought of the power have unfairly offended the candidate from LDPR of Vitaliy Zlochevskiy. About all it young "zhirinovtsi" promise to write to the head of the Central Electoral Commission Vladimir Churovu and prime minister Vladimir Putin in style «you do not know that create yours "oprichniks" on places».

Young communists on discussion were not — they were not for an invited table. However oppositional moods has sufficed and without them: "zhirinovets" Piatnitskiy the leader of the youth organisation of party «Fair Russia» has enough supported completely Dmitry Gudkov. «The appearance decreases!» — he has paid attention of the gathered. According to Gudkov, it is quite natural that the party in power types 70 % on municipal elections in St.-Petersburg where the general appearance of voters has hardly held on to 17 %.

In the today's policy, according to Dmitry Gudkov, «competitions are not present». Having passed to a question on youth quotas, Hooters has condemned them: «Let's give youth quotas, to invalids, pregnant. And is also alcoholics, and addicts, — too quotas are necessary to them. Well the 15-year-old sportsman cannot participate in the international competitions on the same level with adults!» Ruslan Gatarov has objected that «the sportsman just can». The heat was struck by visitors from situated near Moscow Zhukovsky town – supporters of the oppositional candidate in Igor Novikov's mayors. As they said, Zhukovsky town is «science town, transformed by the present authorities in village», and against Novikov are at war disgracefully and lawlessly. One of visitors even has grasped with itself the complaints broken off by the official which before it has stuck together a sticky ribbon.

The situation in Zhukovsky town really scandalous, and Elvira Ermakova has there and then noticed: «Zhukovsky town it is held on the control. When next morning after elections therefrom has not arrived reports, of course, were disturbed. You, the main thing, appeal against».

But as a whole elections have passed not too badly. It the foreign observer from Poland has confirmed also Mateusz Piskorski, the deputy of the Sejm of Republic Poland of 5th convocation. Strictly speaking, not the observer (the accredited foreign observers on elections were not on March, 1st), and «the invited visitor». It has expressed satisfaction seen in the Arkhangelsk region.

He said that the architecture of political parties in Europe, and in the world constantly varies. There are "the catch-all-parties" choosing as the target group all levels of population and consequently not having any accurate ideology. There are the parties building the activity on placing of paid orders various public and commercial structures, and consequently especially not requiring membership.

«We communicated with observers from various parties, — has told Piskorski. – On 90 % it is youth. In many countries of the European Union of such youth activity is not present». Having noticed that «the lost have noticed set of infringements», Mateusz Piskorski has estimated realness of these complaints: «can be, on several sites was». As to quotas, that, according to Piskorski, in Poland the part of parties gives quotas – but not to youth, and women. The twist of fate consists that in those parties where no quotas are present, women in a management is more as their career – «natural process». «The youth of Russia has possibility to build political system», — the foreign visitor has noted in summary.

For the last years the percent of the citizens who are members of any political parties, in Europe was reduced to 2 %. Thereupon the mister Piskorski has been surprised by degree of an involvement of the Russian youth in elective process - 90 % of observers from parties with which it communicated on sites, there were young men.