🗳 Elections are no reason to stay at home. State Duma deputy of all convocations Anatoly Nikolayevich Greshnevikov — on political responsibility 🛑One can speculate as much as one likes about how democratic modern elections are and whether there is room in them for a real alternative. However, even if the electoral system is far from ideal, renouncing one's vote means voluntarily handing over to others the right to decide one's fate. Anatoly Nikolayevich Greshnevikov, a State Duma deputy of all convocations and formerly a People's Deputy of the RSFSR, knows firsthand the value of political participation in the electoral process. «One must go and vote in elections, there is meaning in elections. If the majority of people turn out, the elections are predetermined in favour of those who participate in them». ❓ Therefore the question is not only how perfect the system itself is. The question is who is ready to use it and to defend their interests. Participation in the existing political system does not yet mean automatic dependence on its elites. Everything is decided by the political independence of the candidate. «Of course, political parties and politicians are different. However, sovereign, free politicians independent of the bourgeois elite or the oligarchy can and must change the world». 🛑Loud declarations, ambitions and goals are not enough to genuinely defend people's interests. One must have a constant connection with the voters — people must know the politicians and be ready to support them. «By participating in elections, socialists can defend the interests of the working class if there is a connection between the socialists or any party and the people, if the people hear them and come to the elections. And then not only the interests of the working class, but the interests of any voter will be protected through participation in the elections». 🟠Participation in politics is inextricably linked with responsibility before society. Responsibility presupposes participation. «[Socialists] can and must take responsibility, but here too it depends on what connection they have with civil society, with the voters. Therefore one must come to the elections. And vote for the socialists». ‼️ And those who are only about to take their first step in politics should prepare at once for difficulties. Here it is not enough to declare one's views once — one must be able to withstand pressure and not abandon the goal one has set. «In politics, as in any serious matter, there are always difficulties. One must not fear difficulties. And if you have gone into politics, you must be able to take a hit and stick to the chosen goal. Not to waver, not to give up and to win. Therefore the only advice is to be able to fight and be able to win. That is all». 📌Join the broadcast of SOVINTERN's public discussion «Either we do politics, or politics does us» on September 13 and join the conversation about elections, political struggle and the tasks of socialists. 🎞 LIVE ON YOUTUBE ⭐️ LIVE ON SOVINTERN WEBSITE #SOVINTERN_network #Moscow_network_hub ⭐️ Moscow Network Hub of SOVINTERN