HUMAN RIGHTS INFORMATION AGENCY "EXPRESS-CHRONICLE"

ENGLISH WEEKLY NEWS DIGEST

27 May 1997

MOSCOW (E-C) 'The five percent barrier for elections to the Russian State Duma violates the constitution,' according to Roman Tkach, chairman of the 'Youth Solidarity' union. He was speaking on 29 May at a press-conference at the Central House of Journalists, which was also addressed by representatives of Russian student unions and the 'Svoe Mnenie' ['One's opinion'] Foundation of Youth Culture. The leaders of youth organisations claim that if the 5% barrier is not abolished, 'young politicians will never enter parliament,' and that this violates article 32 of the Constitution on the right of citizens to have their representatives in the State Duma. Representatives of youth organisations intend to appeal to the Constitutional Court in order to achieve 'the necessary amendments to the electoral legislation for the next State Duma elections in 1999.'