Russia's system is managed democracy

The Kremlin controls Russia's political system, ensuring the president has huge powers and few surprises emerge. This weekend's election will deliver another parliament dominated by United Russia, fiercely loyal to Putin.

“We have our own political system, our own political process.”

First election since Ukraine invasion

This is Russia's first parliamentary election since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Kremlin will use it to claim most Russians back the president and the war, and to promote nearly 200 war veterans running for office.

Campaign reveals cracks in society

The election campaign has exposed tensions in Russian society four and a half years into the war. In one TV debate, candidates didn't show up; in another, a politician sang his campaign pitch like a pop star.

All parties vote the same way

Every party in the previous Duma voted for 170 laws supporting the war. Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov said there is 100% agreement in parliament on backing the special military operation.

“All parties in the Duma, every single one, voted in favour of 170 laws to support the special military operation.”

Anti-war party barred from ballot

Yabloko, the only anti-war party registered for the election, was removed from the ballot by the Supreme Court in July. This was widely seen as Kremlin concern that anti-war messaging could resonate with voters.

Individual candidates face harassment

Some Yabloko candidates are still running in individual races, but growing numbers have been detained by police, prosecuted for various offences, and barred from the election in recent weeks.

Navalny's name becomes illegal

Yabloko candidate Grigory Grishin was questioned by police for posting the word 'Navalny' on Telegram, accused of propagandizing extremism. Alexei Navalny, Russia's most prominent opposition leader, died in prison in 2024.

“The police are carrying out a political order. That's no secret.”

Election monitors have been silenced

Last year, a leader of Golos, a prominent independent election monitoring group, was jailed for five years on charges of working with an undesirable organisation. Golos has since shut down.

War dominates life in small towns

In Dmitrov, a town 50 miles from Moscow, a memorial to soldiers killed in Ukraine stands in the town centre. Residents express concerns about the war's impact on families and economic hardship from fuel shortages and rising prices.

“I'd like us to live in a peaceful country, with no war.”

Elections never change Russian power

Russian elections differ fundamentally from Western elections. They cannot change the government, only influence it or send a signal. Power in Russia has never changed because of an election.

“Elections in Russia never bring a change in government. At best, they're a way of influencing it, of sending a signal.”