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Партии на выборах: новые вызовы
The article discusses the contemporary state of the institute of political parties, first and foremost through its participation in elections. The first part of the article looks at new phenomena in the electoral process and adaptation of the parties’ strategies and tactics to the new circumstances. Attention is drawn to broader participation of citizens in nominating party candidates through primary elections, impact of pre-election debates, the growing importance of Internet and other information and communication technologies. The author concludes that despite all the changes and challenges political parties remain the key political institutions providing linkage between the public and the political class. The second part of the article analyzes the phenomenon of “new”, i.e. populist parties: the causes of its emergence and rapid rise in the recent years, the risks incurred by political systems, and opportunities for broader participation of citizens. The article concludes by an attempt to forecast further evolution of the “new parties” and consequences of its acitivities for the political systems.