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Editorial Note: This article was originally published in  «Moskovsky Komsomolets in Tula.» It was later removed following criticism from regional authorities in response to the 2021 protests. The text is republished here as part of an archival project.

On February 5, at Moskovsky Komsomolets in Tula, we discussed the reasons behind the protest mood among young people with young politicians and political scientists. Among other factors influencing young people’s views on the modern political system, the discussion participants highlighted the lack of dialogue between the authorities and youth public organizations. Most of these organizations were established at the initiative of the authorities. Young people were invited to participate in discussions, but beyond volunteer mobilization, activists received no real engagement. One example of this failure is the Youth Parliament of the Tula Regional Duma.

What is the Youth Parliament in the Tula Region?

The Youth Parliament of the Tula Regional Duma was established on October 31, 2019. According to the official document, the main responsibilities of the Youth Parliament included: addressing issues faced by young people in the Tula region; encouraging young people to take part in implementing the state youth policy; introducing young people to parliamentary activities; and shaping their legal and political attitudes.

The document also states that members of the Youth Parliament can participate in meetings of the Tula Regional Duma, attend Duma committees and commissions, conduct educational activities, and gather young people’s opinions on how the government carries out youth policy.

The Youth Parliament should have 55 members. Currently, the youth organization has 53 members because representatives from the Communist Party of the Russian Federation did not fill two of the quotas. The majority in the Youth Parliament consists of members from the youth organization of the United Russia party (27), with two from the Spravedlivaya Russia Party, two from the Liberal Democratic Party, and one each from the Rosta Party, the Russian Party of Pensioners, and the Communists of Russia. Public associations appoint the remaining 19 members through a competitive process.

Challenges of Dialogue in the Youth Parliament

Participants in the discussion observed that the problem of protest activity among young people, as shown by the January 2021 demonstrations in support of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, arises from a lack of opportunities to be heard.

“You can say as much as you want on social media, but no one listens to you. There are various youth forums, companies, and the Youth Parliament. I am a member of the Youth Parliament. The Youth Parliament is involved in volunteer activities and launching hashtags. The Youth Parliament’s charter states that we must meet with Duma committees and observe how they work. Over the past year, we have not been invited to a single committee meeting,” Alina Balabolina, a member of the Youth Parliament, says.

“It turns out that we, as members of the Youth Parliament, are no different from other public associations that exist on an equal footing,” Evgenia Gvozdyanskaya, a member of the Youth Parliament, confirms. 

There’s just a check mark showing I’m a member of the Youth Parliament. I was really disappointed. The Youth Electoral Commission at least does something. The guys are making an effort. They are involved in political education for young people about the importance of voting because young people are so disappointed and discouraged that they don’t even bother going to the polls,” Alina Balabolina continues.

“The Youth Parliament plays a representative role in the Tula Regional Duma. It has a different purpose and focuses on young activists. There can be no real legislative work there,” Daniil Emelyanov clarifies. He is the head of the Youth organization of the Liberal Democratic Party, and a member of the Youth Parliament.

“We need to assess how actual deputies perform. That isn’t happening. The Youth Parliament is just a gathering of youth activists, and in that case, it shouldn’t legitimately be called the ‘Youth Parliament,’” Alina objected.

“The Youth Parliament and its representatives serve as a link between the current government and young people. But we don’t see that happening,” Evgenia Gvozdyanskaya added. 

“We haven’t communicated with any representatives all year. Yes, I am a party member. I can communicate with my party’s deputies, but not with those of other parties. Young people are not being heard. Until the authorities start listening to us, the situation will not change, and protest sentiment will only grow, and I hope they do not turn radical. That will not make anyone better off. Nothing will change; only the economic situation in the country will worsen,” Alina added.

Russian elections are fake!

Alexander Shishkin, head of the Tula branch of the non-profit organization City Projects and a member of the regional Yabloko party branch, explains young people’s electoral apathy by their lack of motivation to participate in elections. 

“When elections are regularly rigged and your vote is stolen, it’s understandable that young people don’t want to participate,” Alexander says. 

Alina Balabolina believes that if someone doesn’t trust the elections, they should consider becoming an observer or joining the precinct election commission to help oversee the integrity of the electoral process. 

“No one is stopping you from becoming an observer. Young people need to be effectively informed that if they want to change the country, they must act within the law. Don’t like the idea that elections are rigged? Become an observer, a member of the precinct election commission with advisory voting rights,” Alina said.

Contact the authorities

Members of the Youth Parliament are ready to use the dialogue platforms provided by the authorities. The problem is that no one wants to communicate with them. Active and thoughtful young people gathered under the auspices of the regional Duma, given the honorary title of “member of the Youth Parliament,” but they were deceived. They weren’t even allowed to observe the representatives at work. However, the Tula activists didn’t come to the Youth Parliament to become volunteers but to share their views with deputies and the public through legal means, using the platforms offered by the authorities.

But for now, empty rhetoric about “dialogue with young people” while Duma sessions and the representatives themselves remain inaccessible only reveals the hypocrisy of the authorities. And young people feel this more deeply than anyone else.