Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ruling United Russia party has secured a record victory in the country’s latest State Duma election, winning 355 of the 450 seats in the lower house, according to Russia’s Central Election Commission. The result gives the party a constitutional majority.
The three-day election was held from September 18 to 20, making it the first State Duma election since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Official turnout was 59.32%, the highest level in more than a decade.
United Russia received 57.83% of the party-list vote, up from 49.8% in the 2021 parliamentary election. The Communist Party came second with 13.81%, followed by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR) with 8.98% and New People with 7.96%.
First Duma Election Since Ukraine War Began
The election was closely watched because it was the first parliamentary vote held in Russia since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine.
Putin had presented the election as an indication of national unity and support for his government. United Russia’s increased share of the vote and expanded parliamentary majority give the Kremlin-aligned party greater control of the legislature.
United Russia has dominated Russian parliamentary politics for roughly 25 years. Its latest result surpasses the party’s previous record parliamentary performance, giving it more than three-quarters of the Duma’s seats.
Anti-War Party Fails to Win a Duma Seat
The election took place in a tightly controlled political environment. Yabloko, the only registered party explicitly opposing Russia’s war in Ukraine, failed to secure representation in the State Duma. Reuters reported that the other parties entering parliament have historically supported or cooperated with the Kremlin on major issues.
The election also included voting in Ukrainian territories that Russia claims to have annexed. Ukraine and several Western governments have rejected the legitimacy of voting there.
Independent critics and opposition figures have also alleged electoral manipulation. Meduza reported allegations involving pressure on employees of state-funded institutions to participate in voting, while Russian authorities have maintained that the election was conducted properly.
Public Reaction
The result did not come as a surprise to many voters interviewed by international media.
One Moscow resident, Tatiana, told Al Jazeera that she was not surprised when she saw early reports that United Russia was heading for victory. She said her main concern was the war in Ukraine and that she wanted the conflict to end through peaceful means as soon as possible.
The election result leaves United Russia with 355 seats in the 450-member State Duma, strengthening its existing parliamentary majority as Russia continues its war in Ukraine.
