Susanna Riva The parliamentary vote, described by Vladimir Putin as a test of popular support for the war in Ukraine, reached its third and final day last Sunday. It is the first vote at the State Duma level since the launch of the Russian offensive, and the result is destined to be used by the Kremlin to demonstrate that the population remains behind the president and the armed forces.
The context is a conflict that is already in its fifth year with no signs of ending. The authorities have presented the elections as a demonstration of national unity in the face of what they call a "special military operation," while the independent press has been declared "undesirable" and opponents have been persecuted for any hint of disinformation or criticism of the military.
Day 3 Vote: A Test of Putin's Legitimacy
The preliminary count, scheduled for 18:00 GMT on Sunday, was introduced by Putin in his televised broadcast with the phrase: “Your choice and your will will once again demonstrate that millions of people support our soldiers . ”
The United Russia leadership presents itself as the dominant force, and the authorities intend to present the results as tangible evidence of public approval of both domestic policies and military conduct abroad.
Limited opposition and legal intimidation
Many anti-war candidates were excluded from the ballot; the remaining candidates, from the liberal Yabloko party, came under pressure after courts sentenced two senior party figures to lengthy prison terms for expressing what they deemed illegal views on the conflict. Some opposition politicians also feared retaliation following an alleged attack on Yelena Astanina, an election official in the Zaporizhia region, cited by Putin as evidence of Ukrainian interference.
Political and economic impact risks
According to the German think tank NEST, led by former Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky, domestic economic pressure and growing discontent could push voters toward systemic opposition parties like the Communist Party and New People , which, while voting in line with United Russia on key issues, could steal valuable votes from the ruling party. Any decline in support could weaken Putin's narrative of popular support, further complicating the government's economic strategies.
Meanwhile, Russian authorities have reported a cyberattack on Moscow's online voting system, while Kiev, already under martial law, has labeled the Russian elections a "pseudo-election." Tensions between the two nations, combined with a climate of domestic censorship, are making this election one of the most controversial in decades.