Russians cast ballots to choose lawmakers for the State Duma, with the more-than-4 ½-year-old war on Ukraine and a slowing economy looming over the country’s first parliamentary elections since the 2022 invasion.
Voters in the Pacific region of Kamchatka, nine time zones ahead of Moscow, kicked off the September 18-20 balloting. Official results on the new composition of the 450-seat lower house of parliament are expected by September 22.
United Russia, the Kremlin-linked party that dominates the Duma as well as legislatures and regional governments nationwide, has been projected to maintain or increase its majority.
Since President Vladimir Putin came to power over a quarter-century ago, the Kremlin has increasingly stifled dissent, marginalized political opponents and manipulated elections, leaving little room for surprises.
The only prominent political party opposing the war, meanwhile, was barred from the ballot weeks ahead of the vote.
Yabloko’s antiwar election message has drawn young supporters, hundreds of whom jammed the streets outside the Russian Supreme Court as the court heard arguments to disqualify the party from upcoming elections.
Amid Kremlin fears of apathy and frustration, Putin, who frequently accuses the West of seeking to weaken or destroy Russia, exhorted Russians to vote, calling the election a barometer of support for the war. More than 1.5 million Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded in the conflict, according to Western estimates.
by RFE/RL Russians Vote In First Parliamentary Election Since 2022 Ukraine Invasion
