Filed Under: Video > Political advertising > Grigory Yavlinsky of the Yabloko Party runs for president, 1996

Grigory Yavlinsky of the Yabloko Party runs for president, 1996

1 00:00:19,090 --> 00:00:26,249 I choose freedom, and wish the same for you! 2 00:00:27,930 --> 00:00:32,569 No matter the weather, I will give my vote to Yavlinsky, 3 00:00:32,570 --> 00:00:34,889 I'll give it away, away, away! 4 00:00:38,410 --> 00:00:41,209 For once I didn't argue with the traffic cop. He turned 5 00:00:41,210 --> 00:00:42,609 out to be a decent guy. 6 00:00:43,120 --> 00:00:47,539 He's Grigory, I'm Grigory, so Yavlinsky is our president. 7 00:00:47,950 --> 00:00:50,569 Traffic cops are usually mean to truckers, 8 00:00:50,670 --> 00:00:52,161 So why do the motors sound like nightingaless 9 00:00:52,162 --> 00:00:52,909 this morning? 10 00:00:53,150 --> 00:00:57,469 Smoke in the air, feeling the moment in your heart. 11 00:00:57,870 --> 00:00:59,929 I'm Grigory, and so am I. 12 00:00:59,930 --> 00:01:00,929 Yavlinsky is our president! 13 00:01:11,770 --> 00:01:16,949 Our days are almost over, But our heart bleeds for you. 14 00:01:16,950 --> 00:01:19,949 So we decided to cast our vote for Yavlinsky—he's 15 00:01:19,950 --> 00:01:21,449 the most humane one. 16 00:01:30,690 --> 00:01:35,509 For president, I want someone real, smart, hardworking, 17 00:01:35,510 --> 00:01:40,329 brave, and young: Yavlinsky, in a word. 18 00:01:50,110 --> 00:01:53,941 I went out into the field at dawn, braided satin ribbons. 19 00:01:53,942 --> 00:01:57,773 My heart whispered to me: Grisha (Grigory), 20 00:01:57,774 --> 00:01:59,689 my chosen president. 21 00:02:00,190 --> 00:02:04,769 My heart whispered to me, Grisha, my chosen president. 22 00:02:05,220 --> 00:02:10,569 My heart whispered to me, Grisha, my chosen president. 23 00:02:18,970 --> 00:02:23,889 Ekh, with Grigory Alexeevich I would like to have 24 00:02:23,890 --> 00:02:26,349 a heart-to-heart talk. 25 00:02:26,670 --> 00:02:30,069 I wish I could sit with him now, 26 00:02:30,070 --> 00:02:32,729 Take our time to reckon it all out. 27 00:02:32,860 --> 00:02:35,785 Got a good head on his shoulders, that one, 28 00:02:35,786 --> 00:02:37,249 you can tell right away. 29 00:02:37,940 --> 00:02:41,939 I am not ashamed to vote for such a president. 30 00:02:44,100 --> 00:02:48,139 GRISHA 31 00:02:50,240 --> 00:02:52,679 I finished preparing at dawn. 32 00:02:52,780 --> 00:02:54,939 The state exam, I'm really on edge. 33 00:02:55,180 --> 00:02:57,419 Turn the page over, there's just one question: 34 00:02:57,740 --> 00:03:00,039 Who deserves to become the president of the country? 35 00:03:00,200 --> 00:03:02,445 The question is known to you, I ask you to answer 36 00:03:02,446 --> 00:03:03,569 briefly and clearly. 37 00:03:04,800 --> 00:03:06,199 Grigory Yavlinsky! 38 00:03:06,200 --> 00:03:07,239 You get an A! 39 00:03:07,380 --> 00:03:08,979 Pass me the gradebook. 40 00:03:21,590 --> 00:03:25,319 Up and at 'em early, I got behind the wheel again, 41 00:03:26,380 --> 00:03:31,219 And off to faraway lands, all for Yavlinsky 42 00:03:34,430 --> 00:03:36,949 We'll master the road...with Yavlinsky 43 00:03:50,500 --> 00:03:55,149 Hey gang, let's vote for Yavlinsky (Yeah!!), 44 00:03:55,150 --> 00:03:59,799 that smart man. Аnd then off to the disco! 45 00:03:59,870 --> 00:04:01,769 Yes! 46 00:04:09,890 --> 00:04:14,733 I will elect the president in my own way, by my own 47 00:04:14,734 --> 00:04:19,578 choice. It is decided that I will soon choose Grigory. 48 00:04:19,579 --> 00:04:23,747 Some may be richer, some more beautiful, and some 49 00:04:23,748 --> 00:04:27,915 may even sing and dance. But my choice is clear: 50 00:04:27,916 --> 00:04:29,999 I'm voting for Grigory. 51 00:04:38,560 --> 00:04:42,439 Get Yalinsky on the scene—Country's better than 52 00:04:42,440 --> 00:04:46,319 it's been. Not by random will or lots, but through 53 00:04:46,320 --> 00:04:48,259 smarts and clever thoughts. 54 00:04:53,000 --> 00:04:56,065 I'm an inspector, oh so strict. Stop the 55 00:04:56,066 --> 00:04:57,599 car, and answer this: 56 00:04:58,140 --> 00:04:59,059 For Yavlinsky? 57 00:04:59,250 --> 00:04:59,929 Yes, sir. 58 00:05:00,100 --> 00:05:01,919 Great job, you're free to go. 59 00:05:09,320 --> 00:05:10,991 Who says that today, we have to choose the 60 00:05:10,992 --> 00:05:11,829 lesser of two evils? 61 00:05:12,120 --> 00:05:14,379 I'm looking for the good, so I'm with Yavlinsky. 62 00:05:16,920 --> 00:05:18,559 We don't need sound and fury. 63 00:05:18,660 --> 00:05:19,159 Ah! 64 00:05:19,460 --> 00:05:21,019 We need a statesman's mind! 65 00:05:21,320 --> 00:05:23,539 Yavlinsky has experience and knowledge! 66 00:05:23,960 --> 00:05:24,759 Inspiration! 67 00:05:25,100 --> 00:05:25,979 And charm! 68 00:05:26,620 --> 00:05:28,419 We choose reason! 69 00:05:28,760 --> 00:05:30,839 Yavlinsky is for real! 70 00:05:31,340 --> 00:05:33,079 We choose right away! 71 00:05:33,660 --> 00:05:35,879 Later will be too late! 72 00:05:41,060 --> 00:05:50,469 My angel sleeps so sweetly. Meanwhile, I will sit and 73 00:05:50,470 --> 00:05:59,879 think of Yavlinsky. Sleep, my angel, it's all for the best. 74 00:06:09,480 --> 00:06:10,839 Who we gonna pick? 75 00:06:11,120 --> 00:06:11,619 Whaddaya mean? 76 00:06:11,640 --> 00:06:12,159 Yavlinsky! 77 00:06:12,320 --> 00:06:14,519 Honest, not a windbag, he's the most reasonable. 78 00:06:19,490 --> 00:06:24,933 Let's sew a blue ribbon onto his blankie. Let's 79 00:06:24,934 --> 00:06:30,379 call our son Grisha, just like the president. 80 00:06:38,430 --> 00:06:41,201 The TV screens try to convince us: it's a clash of the 81 00:06:41,202 --> 00:06:43,973 titans, a battle of giants. But for my money, living 82 00:06:43,974 --> 00:06:45,359 people are better! 83 00:06:45,700 --> 00:06:47,899 Like Yavlinsky—he should be president! 84 00:06:52,730 --> 00:06:57,561 Thistle grows upon the hill, so the story goes. 85 00:06:57,562 --> 00:06:59,979 As for us, our village... 86 00:06:59,980 --> 00:07:00,979 (Gets interrupted) 87 00:07:02,370 --> 00:07:07,441 Thistle grows upon the hill, so the story goes. 88 00:07:07,442 --> 00:07:09,979 As for us, our village... 89 00:07:09,980 --> 00:07:10,979 (Gets interrupted) 90 00:07:11,300 --> 00:07:16,559 Thistle grows upon the hill, so the story goes. 91 00:07:17,020 --> 00:07:21,549 As for us, our whole village will vote for Grigory. 92 00:07:21,890 --> 00:07:24,979 Urgent! New president needed 93 00:07:30,510 --> 00:07:35,469 We do not build so others can destroy. 94 00:07:36,070 --> 00:07:40,409 We refuse to march to the beat of the hypocrites' drums. 95 00:07:40,510 --> 00:07:45,309 Yavlinsky—and this is what counts—never talks down to us. 96 00:07:50,450 --> 00:07:53,621 I've been working this booth all day. From dawn 97 00:07:53,622 --> 00:07:55,209 till dusk, as they say. 98 00:07:55,730 --> 00:07:58,689 Every bone in my body aches. On Yavlinsky 99 00:07:58,690 --> 00:08:00,169 my hopes I'll stake! 100 00:08:14,210 --> 00:08:15,299 One tomato, please. 101 00:08:15,320 --> 00:08:16,989 A sweet-a tomato straight from-a da mountain! 102 00:08:16,990 --> 00:08:17,909 How much for the tomato? 103 00:08:17,910 --> 00:08:19,269 What, this tomato? 104 00:08:19,270 --> 00:08:20,419 You're for Grisha, I'm for Grisha. 105 00:08:20,430 --> 00:08:22,189 Take the tomato for free. 106 00:08:33,909 --> 00:08:35,109 We serve the Motherland! 107 00:08:35,669 --> 00:08:36,269 In uniform! 108 00:08:36,330 --> 00:08:37,329 And what about voting? 109 00:08:37,330 --> 00:08:37,999 It's time! 110 00:08:38,000 --> 00:08:39,829 Come on, all together now! 111 00:08:40,030 --> 00:08:41,009 Three-four! 112 00:08:41,100 --> 00:08:42,589 For Yavlinsky! 113 00:08:42,770 --> 00:08:44,599 Hurrah! 114 00:08:52,890 --> 00:08:55,559 I'm not going to the polls! 115 00:08:55,560 --> 00:08:58,289 Everyone's a liar! 116 00:08:58,320 --> 00:09:02,699 I'm not playing this rigged game anymore! 117 00:09:02,890 --> 00:09:05,129 Wait, didn't you hear? 118 00:09:05,160 --> 00:09:07,079 Today we're voting for Grisha. 119 00:09:07,450 --> 00:09:08,449 THAT Grisha? 120 00:09:08,470 --> 00:09:09,469 Тhe very same! 121 00:09:09,560 --> 00:09:12,409 Excellent! Yavlinsky! 122 00:09:12,670 --> 00:09:14,949 Wait, the shchi (cabbage soup) is ready! 123 00:09:15,080 --> 00:09:17,619 Shchi can wait, I gotta vote! 124 00:09:31,630 --> 00:09:36,289 At home or abroad, in the village or in the 125 00:09:36,290 --> 00:09:40,949 capital, on land or at sea—I'll vote Grigory. 126 00:09:41,510 --> 00:09:45,209 It's the day before, and I know it's all down to me. 127 00:09:45,790 --> 00:09:50,169 What if Grigory Yavlinsky comes up short by one vote? 128 00:09:50,630 --> 00:09:53,681 Among the candidates, Yavlinsky is perhaps 129 00:09:53,682 --> 00:09:55,209 the dearest to me. 130 00:09:55,210 --> 00:09:57,109 Tell me, what is the reason? 131 00:09:57,290 --> 00:10:00,849 Ah, he is a real man. 132 00:10:09,370 --> 00:10:13,425 Who has time to go to the polls? At home there's 133 00:10:13,426 --> 00:10:17,481 planting and weeding to do. Yavlinsky isn't gonna help me 134 00:10:17,482 --> 00:10:19,509 harvest potatoes come fall! 135 00:10:19,630 --> 00:10:24,269 Hey, lady, without him, the people will have nothing 136 00:10:24,270 --> 00:10:28,909 for sure. Not even a vegetable garden. 137 00:10:38,070 --> 00:10:43,089 To rejuvenate the country, to back words with deeds, 138 00:10:43,090 --> 00:10:48,109 to see no more sorrow—I'm voting for Grigory! 139 00:10:48,210 --> 00:10:52,953 To rejuvenate the country, to back words with deeds, 140 00:10:52,954 --> 00:10:57,699 to see no more sorrow—I'm voting for Grigory! 141 00:10:57,900 --> 00:11:02,443 To rejuvenate the country, to back words with deeds, 142 00:11:02,444 --> 00:11:06,989 to see no more sorrow—I'm voting for Grigory!

Economist Grigory Yavlinsky (1952-) had started his career in 1976 as a member of an All-Union Research Institute for the Soviet coal industry. After joining the Communist Party in 1985, he advanced steadily in the ranks of Soviet economic administration until 1989, when he became head of the State Commission for Economic Reforms. One of the original architects of the “500 Days” plan, he resigned from government on 17 October 1990 when it became clear that the program would not be implemented. Following the August putsch of 1991, Yavlinsky participated in efforts to bring the GKChP hardliners to justice, and continued to occupy a prominent position in Gorbachev’s administration until the collapse of the USSR. Though Yeltsin briefly considered Yavlinsky for the position of Prime Minister, the role ultimately went to Yegor Gaidar, who would go on to administer post-Soviet economic reform via “shock therapy.” During the initial phases of the 1993 Constitutional Crisis, Yavlinsky called on both sides of the conflict to lay down arms and seek compromise, but by 3-4 October was appearing on television to call on Yeltsin to “suppress the mutiny,” earning sharp criticism from Gaidar. By the mid-1990s, Yavlinsky had formed his own center-left political organization—“Yabloko [apple],” a portmanteau of its founders’ last names. In the leadup to the 1996 presidential contest, Yavlinsky planned to run against both Yeltsin and the communist Zyuganov. But when Zyuganov took a commanding lead in the polls, Yavlinsky met with Yeltsin to propose a coalition—provided Yeltsin met several conditions, including ending the war in Chechnya and increasing the federal minimum wage. When Yeltsin failed to meet even one of his demands, Yavlinsky withdrew his offer and sought to ally himself with several other candidates (excluding Zyuganov) before deciding to strike out on his own. The eleven-minute ad featured here was cut into shorter, more TV-friendly spots, but achieves a truly phantasmagoric effect when viewed all at once. A jaunty soundtrack plays as a diverse parade of actors dances in front of a green screen, each more anxious than the last to declare his or her undying love for Yavlinsky. Thin on explicit messaging, the video nonetheless conveys a certain populism. Yavlinsky, we learn, is the favorite of absolutely every demographic, no matter how niche: from domestic abusers, to pilots, to traffic cops (and their child impersonators), to young business professionals, to countryside babushkas, to gossipy older women. Yavlinsky’s candidacy was unsuccessful—not only in 1996, when he came in fourth place in the first electoral round, but also in 2000, when he won only 5% of the vote against Vladimir Putin. By 2012, he was ready for another attempt, but was not even permitted on the ballot—despite having collected the 2 million citizen signatures required by law. His latest run was in 2018, when he made it to the ballot but won just 1% of the vote.