United Russia retains decisive majority in Russia’s State Duma election

Moscow, Russia. United Russia retained its decisive majority in the State Duma after a three-day election, according to near-complete results announced on Monday. The anti-war Yabloko party appeared to have won a small foothold in one regional parliament.

Parliamentary results

With more than 95% of ballots counted, Central Electoral Commission chair Ella Pamfilova said United Russia had won 57.83% of the vote, compared with 49.8% in the 2021 parliamentary election.

The party was set to control 355 seats, or nearly 80% of the 450-seat State Duma, including constituency results. This would preserve its constitutional majority, allowing it to pass laws and initiate constitutional amendments without support from other parties.

Other parties

Pamfilova said the Communist Party won 13.81%, the ultra-nationalist LDPR received 8.98%, and New People secured 7.96%.

Just Russia was below the 5% threshold required to enter parliament, although Pamfilova said it had a “big chance” of reaching it. All of the parties have voted with United Russia on major issues in recent years.

Wider vote

President Vladimir Putin described the vote, the first State Duma election since Russia launched its full-scale war in Ukraine in February 2022, as a test of support for the war. Elections for some regional parliaments and governors were held at the same time.

Critics say Russia’s tightly controlled political system does not tolerate genuine dissent, and many Yabloko candidates were barred from standing. Political analysts said authorities sought to ensure the process was seen as relatively smooth, while officials presented the vote as evidence of national unity.

In Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, a close Putin ally, was re-elected for a fifth term as regional leader with an official tally of nearly 100%.