Eduard Limonov's National Bolsheviks outlawed in Russia

National Bolsheviks can now continue whining about “Putin's bloody regime” and dreaming about the revolution, which will never occur

Eduard Limonov, the leader of the National Bolshevik Party, NBP, has spent many years rushing about between the civilized society and the naive childish dream about revolution. On June 29th, 2005, Limonov finally got what he wanted – freedom. Party members and Russian media outlets say that a Moscow court outlawed the National Bolshevik Party, although the information does represent the actual facts.

The court decision was based on the legal principle: the Moscow regional organization, the National Bolshevik Party, was liquidated because a public organization cannot be considered a party either legally or physically. National Bolsheviks can exist either as a public movement or a political party – there cannot be a combination made.

Nevertheless, Eduard Limonov did not dwell upon the legal details of the question and switched to his favorite subject. The National Bolshevik leader said that the Moscow court made such a decision on the base of a certain instruction from the authorities. Limonov said that the court decision marked the start of the “era of repressions.” Eduard Limonov told reporters that the absence of legalization would definitely complicate the activity of his organization. He particularly said that the National Bolshevik Party would not be allowed to organize various political events on behalf of the party, neither will it have its own bank account and a legal address. Tow crown it all, national Bolsheviks will not be able to claim their participation in elections, as they did before.

It is noteworthy that the National Bolshevik Party was doing its best to avoid the participation in the legal political struggle throughout the history of its existence. “Since they want us to be outlawed, we will be outlawed. Our policy will obviously be radical,” Eduard Limonov said.

Eduard Veniaminovich Limonov has had a great fondness for games during his entire life. He would write poems, plan the conquest of Kazakhstan and enjoy the role of the leader of “the most radical party.” One may say that such a person as Eduard Limonov would be bored with taking civilized part in political processes in Russia. Two years ago, Mr. Limonov told Pravda.Ru about his methods of political struggle. He preferred to attack governors with rotten tomatoes, spill paint on the walls of embassies, etc. As for his attitude to election campaigns, Mr. Limonov said that he would run only if he had a chance to win. It brings up the idea that the Bolshevik leader does not see such chances at all.

The majority of party activists hold their membership in the organization on account of the actual process of struggle, which includes conspiracies, barricades and uprisings. As a rule, national Bolsheviks are not inspired with the idea to come to power in Russia. Eduard Limonov apparently realizes that he does not need power. Limonov could simply disregard the legalization issue for his party, but some of his followers have a serious goal to take several seats in the Russian parliament, the State Duma. Limonov's element is to be restrictions-free. He wants to exist alone, and not to take care of the people, who follow him.

Limonov lies when he talks about the growing popularity of his party. He says that the National Bolshevik Party counts over 17,000 members. He adds, however, that the number of real activists is much smaller – three or four thousand. This is the maximum that the party can boast of at the moment and which has not been changing for many years already. A regional department of the party in a small Russian town may consist of one or two members, whereas the personnel in larger cities does not exceed 10 or 20 people.

One may compare the NBP with a boyband, which enjoys popularity with a certain social and age group of the population. They like to think of themselves as heroes, they like to attract public attention to themselves by throwing eggs and mayonnaise at public figures and politicians.

Limonov told Pravda.Ru two years ago that the NBP had its own program, which the party would fulfill if it came to power. In this case Eduard Limonov would aim his efforts to build a totalitarian state, in which human rights will be a lot less important than the rights of the nation. Limonov would establish the strong Russian order, the climate of discipline, bellicosity and diligence.

Any NBP member has a standard answer to the question about the party's actions at power: shoot all the enemies and then see what happens. These people dream about the revolution, in which they do not believe. They think of destruction, but they never think of creation. Eduard Limonov acts like a little boy, who sincerely does not understand, why he is not allowed to torture cats. A revolution for Limonov is like an image, a source of inspiration.

The party will definitely use the recent decision of the Moscow court as an excuse for its inertia, which is a comfortable excuse for Limonov. National Bolsheviks can now continue whining about “Putin's bloody regime” and dreaming about the revolution, which will never occur.