Kremlin Fears Anti-War Sentiment Among Russians

The Kremlin’s recent decision to exclude Russia’s Yabloko party, which opposes the war in Ukraine, from the State Duma elections has sparked debate about the government's concerns over public sentiment regarding the conflict, according to The Guardian. Scheduled parliamentary elections are expected to solidify United Russia's majority in the State Duma.

The editorial points to Russia's political system as a "managed democracy," with elections marred by repression and constraints on political competition. The Kremlin's efforts to ensure a favorable outcome suggest growing anxiety about public sentiment and a war that is not progressing as expected. Last month, Russia's Supreme Court ruled against Yabloko's participation in the parliamentary elections, citing its lack of relevance in recent years.

The party's last presence in the State Duma was in 2007, though its representatives continue to hold positions in local and municipal bodies. The Guardian notes that barring even a minor political force like Yabloko indicates the Kremlin's apprehension over the actual level of public support for the war, now in its fifth year. The newspaper suggests that such actions reveal the Kremlin's intentions to maintain control over the election result and portray a façade of widespread support for President Vladimir Putin.

The Kremlin's emphasis on influencing the election outcome underscores the extent of their concerns about genuine public sentiment towards the war, The Guardian argues.