Russia’s ruling United Russia party has secured an overwhelming majority in parliamentary elections, winning 355 seats in the 450-member Duma—a new record that strengthens the Kremlin’s dominance. The victory, widely criticized for its lack of transparency, will likely be cited as public endorsement for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with nearly 50 newly elected deputies reported to have participated in the war. The result surpasses the party’s previous best in 2016, further entrenching the government’s control over the legislative branch. Critics may question the legitimacy of the outcome amid concerns over electoral fairness.
United Russia party’s record victory in tightly controlled vote likely to be used as evidence of support for war against UkraineRussia’s new parliament will include 49 deputies who have taken part in the war against Ukraine, officials have said after a landslide victory by the ruling United Russia party in widely criticised elections.The pro-Kremlin party won a record 355 seats in the country’s 450-seat Duma lower house of parliament, according to preliminary figures. The result further consolidates Vladimir Putin’s grip on power and gives United Russia a super-majority bigger than its previous 2016 record of 343 seats. Continue reading...
