United Russia Wins Record 355 Duma Seats as Kremlin Tightens Grip

Russia’s ruling United Russia party is set to secure a record 355 seats in the 450-seat State Duma after increasing its share of the vote in the country’s parliamentary election.

With more than 95% of votes counted, Russia’s Central Election Commission said United Russia had won 57.83% of the party-list vote, up from 49.8% at the previous Duma election in 2021.

The projected 355 seats would surpass the party’s previous record of 343, set in 2016, and leave it controlling almost 80% of the lower house of parliament.

The result preserves United Russia’s constitutional majority, allowing it to pass legislation and initiate constitutional amendments without support from other parties.

The election was Russia’s first parliamentary vote since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. It took place over three days from 18 to 20 September.

The political contest remained heavily restricted. Reuters reported that Russia operates a tightly controlled political system in which many candidates from the anti-war Yabloko party were barred from standing.

AP reported that most genuine opposition candidates were excluded and that voting was also conducted in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine, including territories Moscow claims to have annexed. Those annexations are not internationally recognised.

Four other parties are expected to enter the Duma: the Communist Party, LDPR, New People and A Just Russia. Reuters reports that all four have voted alongside United Russia on major issues in recent years.

Central Election Commission chair Ella Pamfilova put turnout at 59.3%. Final results are due to be announced on Friday.

Sources

• Reuters: Pro-Putin party gets record 355 parliamentary seats, anti-war party a tiny regional foothold
• AP: The main Kremlin party keeps control of Russian parliament after a carefully orchestrated vote