Russia prepares for State Duma elections amid Kremlin control
Russia is preparing for upcoming State Duma elections, which critics argue are designed to project an image of normalcy and legitimacy amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. Observers note that independent monitoring has been suppressed, making it difficult to verify the integrity of the process.
Why it matters
Understanding the political climate in Russia is critical for international relations and assessing the stability of the current regime.
--> In Russia — an aggressor state — the first elections to the lower house of parliament, the State Duma, since the beginning of Russian aggression against Ukraine are to take place on September 18–20. According to Margarita Zavadskaya, a senior researcher at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, the vote is intended to create an appearance of normal life and demonstrate the authorities’ control over the situation.
As YLE News reports , the Kremlin seeks to show that most Russians continue to support the authorities. Opposition activists in exile believe that the country’s leadership is trying to obtain legitimacy through the elections to continue the war and possibly launch a new mobilization.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in