Socialism is the living creativity of the masses. And elections are also a creative act. State Duma deputy Nikolai Novichkov spoke about the correct attitude of socialists towards elections ahead of the September 13 discussion 🎤 SOVINTERN is holding a public discussion on elections and the role of socialists in the political process. Nikolai Novichkov, a State Duma deputy, reminds us: in Russia's history there was already a moment when the silence of progressive forces turned into catastrophe. «In April 1993 it was still possible to avoid our country's fall into the abyss of the destruction of its statehood, if the politicians representing the Soviet choice had been genuine leaders, capable of taking responsibility and leading the people» 📃 Back then, at the April referendum, Yeltsin's opponents lacked the support of the voters. Although, as Novichkov stresses, it existed — but turned out to be unclaimed. The outcome is known: the tank shelling of the White House and the dismantling of Soviet power. «Nowadays it is customary to criticize Yeltsin and his pro-Western entourage, but let us recall, were there many who openly spoke out for socialist values in our country in 1991–1993? And were there many who defended the principles of Soviet power at least by taking part in the vote at that April referendum? Young people can ask their parents about this...» ❓ Today socialists again stand before a choice: to ignore elections and speculate about their ideological infallibility — or to use them as an instrument of struggle. «Participation in elections is the simplest and most accessible way to influence the political situation in the country. It is strange to expect changes for the better if you do nothing. Representatives of all “labour parties” can sit at home and speculate about the principles of their virtue, while in the meantime decisions in the country will be taken by the “forces of world capital”». ❗️ Join the broadcast of the September 13 discussion «Either we do politics, or politics does us». We will discuss how to turn elections into a weapon of the working people, and not a screen for capital. 🎞 LIVE ON YOUTUBE ⭐️ LIVE ON SOVINTERN WEBSITE The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step! #SOVINTERN_network #Moscow_network_hub ⭐️ Moscow Network Hub of SOVINTERN