Russians Begin Three-Day Voting in Parliamentary Election to Strengthen Kremlin’s Grip
Russians start three-day parliamentary election, boosting Kremlin's power with limited opposition and no real political challenge.
POLICY WIRE — Vladivostok, Russia — Russians began a three-day voting period in the country’s first wartime parliamentary election, which is expected to reinforce the Kremlin’s control over the lower house. The election, held amid heightened security and limited political alternatives, aims to solidify public support for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The main ruling party, United Russia, is projected to maintain its dominant position, with no significant opposition candidates on the ballot. The liberal Yabloko party, the only one to openly oppose the war, was recently removed from the list by the Supreme Court, effectively eliminating any meaningful dissent. Anti-war politicians have either been imprisoned or forced into exile, further narrowing the political landscape.
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Voters cast ballots in two rounds: one for political parties and another for individual candidates in single-member constituencies. The election also includes residents of four Ukrainian regions illegally annexed by Russia, raising concerns about its legitimacy. Ukrainian authorities have condemned the vote as illegal and warned against participation.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
