Russian Supreme Court Orders Dissolution of Pro-Business Party of Growth

Supreme Court Ruling on Party of Growth

The Russian Supreme Court on Thursday, November 20, 2025, ordered the dissolution of the Party of Growth, a pro-business political entity founded by former business ombudsman Boris Titov. The ruling came after a request from the party itself, which cited its inability to meet the legal requirements for regional representation across the Russian Federation.

Background of the Party of Growth

The Party of Growth, known in Russian as 'Partiya Rosta', was established in March 2016, building upon the foundation of the 'Right Cause' party. Its core political platform advocated for a liberal free market economy, democratic principles, and the protection of the middle class's interests. Throughout its existence, the party positioned itself as a champion for small and medium-sized businesses, aiming to introduce market-oriented politicians into public office.

Despite its stated objectives, the Party of Growth faced challenges in gaining significant electoral traction. It participated in both the 2016 and 2021 State Duma elections but consistently failed to surpass the 5% threshold required to secure parliamentary seats.

Reasons for Dissolution and Merger

The decision to dissolve the party was initiated by the Party of Growth itself, which informed the Justice Ministry that it no longer complied with the legal stipulations concerning regional representation. A representative for the party stated during the Supreme Court hearing that 32 of its regional branches had either been closed or integrated into other structures. The remaining 43 branches fell short of the minimum number required to operate in at least half of Russia's regions, a key legal prerequisite for political parties in the country.

This dissolution follows a significant development in December 2023, when the Party of Growth announced its merger with the New People party. The legal unification of the two parties was formally declared on April 19, 2024. Following this merger, Boris Titov, the long-standing leader of the Party of Growth, assumed the role of chairman of the New People party's federal political council.

Broader Context of Party Liquidations

The dissolution of the Party of Growth is not an isolated incident within Russia's political landscape. The Supreme Court has previously ordered the liquidation of several other political parties for similar reasons, primarily their failure to adhere to the legal requirements for regional representation. Russian law mandates that political parties maintain representative offices in a specified number of the country's regions to retain their official registration.