Russia’s parliamentary elections proceed under tight restrictions as the Kremlin’s United Russia party faces no real opposition after a liberal anti-war faction was excluded from the ballot. Voters will cast ballots in a vote widely seen as a formality, with the ruling party expected to maintain its long-standing dominance in the State Duma. The three-day election process, concluding on Sunday, offers little chance for meaningful political competition. Analysts note that even the few remaining opposition parties in parliament align with the government on key decisions.
President’s United Russia party faces no meaningful opposition after liberal anti-war party barred from ballotRussians are going to the polls to elect a new State Duma in a tightly controlled vote stripped of meaningful competition and with little doubt about the result.Vladimir Putin’s United Russia is expected to extend the grip on parliament it has held for 23 years, alongside a handful of nominal opposition parties that reliably vote with the Kremlin on the issues that matter. The three-day vote begins on Friday, with results expected after polls close on Sunday. Continue reading...
