Russia: Kremlin party dominates controlled vote

The main Kremlin party, United Russia, retained its majority in Russia's parliament following a meticulously planned election, according to election officials. This outcome was achieved through a vote that largely excluded opposition candidates, thus bolstering the government's stronghold on power. The Central Election Commission reported that United Russia secured just under 58% of the vote for the 225 seats assigned based on party representation.

Additionally, United Russia candidates won 208 out of the 225 single-member constituency races. The Central Election Commission chair, Ella Pamfilova, stated that preliminary results indicated United Russia would receive 355 out of the 450 total parliamentary seats. This was the inaugural parliamentary election following President Vladimir Putin's initiation of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, as well as the first to encompass residents of four regions annexed by Russia since 2014.

Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, also participated in the voting. Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, denounced the elections in these annexed regions as illegitimate. Prior to the election, the Kremlin intensified its suppression of opposition. This included banning Russia's sole liberal, anti-war party from the ballot and permitting it to participate solely in single-member constituency races.

United Russia, alongside several other parties that consistently align with Kremlin policies, secured seats in the State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament.