United Russia wins parliamentary elections by a wide margin, CNN: Kremlin moves now expected

The landslide victory of the ruling United Russia party in Russia’s parliamentary elections was expected. The political formation supports President Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine, while according to CNN, the most important developments concern what the Kremlin will do after voting ends.

In recent years, the real political opposition to the Kremlin has weakened significantly. The Yabloko party, which had called for an end to the war, was not allowed to take part in the elections.

Putin had presented the electoral process as an indicator of national unity and support for the Russian forces fighting in Ukraine.

According to CNN’s analysis, holding elections across the country despite the wartime conditions allows the Kremlin to project an image of normality. At the same time, the impact of the conflict is becoming increasingly visible in Russian society and the economy.

One of the main concerns involves the possibility of a new military mobilization. The partial mobilization in 2022 involved around 300,000 men and led to a mass exodus of Russians from the country. However, Putin has denied the existence of such a plan, dismissing these speculations as “absurd.”

The elections have also brought 49 veterans of the war in Ukraine into politics. CNN estimates that the Kremlin could use their involvement to encourage voluntary recruitment into the army.

The focus has now shifted to the Kremlin’s next decisions: whether it will launch a new military offensive in Ukraine, whether further economic and social measures will be approved, or whether controls inside the country will be tightened.