Restrictions on the Formation and Activities of Political Parties in CIS Member States

The article examines and analyzes restrictions on the creation and activities of political parties in the CIS countries. The author concludes that, in terms of establishing restrictions on the creation and activities of political parties, the CIS countries can be divided into two groups. The first group of states (the Russian Federation, the Republic of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan) adhere to stricter prohibitions and restrictions. The second group of states (Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Moldova, and Ukraine) prefers a more liberal approach. Within the second group of CIS states, states (Moldova and Ukraine) are identified whose approaches to establishing restrictions on the creation and activities of political parties are openly opportunistic and politicized, which ultimately contributes to the coming to power of political forces hostile to the Russian Federation and other CIS states. Based on the positive experience of a number of CIS states, the author formulates proposals for improving Russian legislation.