Steve Rosenberg reports on the upcoming elections in Russia, highlighting low expectations for significant political change. The elections, scheduled for this weekend, are expected to result in a parliament dominated by the ruling party, United Russia, and a legislature loyal to President Vladimir Putin. Critics have labeled the elections as neither free nor fair, a sentiment that the Kremlin dismisses. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated, "We have our own political system, our own political process."
This election marks the first parliamentary vote since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and the Kremlin is likely to use the results to assert that the majority of Russians support the president and the ongoing conflict. Nearly 200 war veterans are reportedly participating in the election, which the Kremlin may leverage to promote their political careers.
The election campaign has revealed aspects of Russian society amid the ongoing war. While the Kremlin anticipates no surprises, there have been some unusual occurrences, such as a televised debate where candidates failed to appear, leaving empty lecterns.
Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov expressed pride in the unanimous support from all parties in the Duma for laws backing the military operation in Ukraine. He stated, "In that sense there is 100% agreement in the Duma."
The party Yabloko, which has called for a ceasefire, was removed from the ballot shortly after being registered, indicating the Kremlin's concern over anti-war sentiments. Despite this, some Yabloko candidates are still contesting individual races, although many have faced police detentions and legal challenges. Yabloko candidate Grigory Grishin commented on the political climate, stating, "The police are carrying out a political order. That's no secret." He noted that there is a significant demand for peace among the Russian populace, which has been stifled by the authorities.
Grigory Grishin also recounted an incident where police accused him of promoting extremism due to his association with Alexei Navalny, a prominent opposition leader who died in prison in 2024.
The Russian government maintains that the Duma elections are transparent, but critics highlight the repression of opposition figures and independent monitoring groups. For instance, Grigory Melkonyants, a leader of an election monitoring organization, was sentenced to five years in prison.
In Dmitrov, a town near Moscow, residents expressed their concerns about the war and its impact on daily life. Olga, whose son-in-law is fighting in Ukraine, remarked, "These elections can't influence what will happen." Another resident, Polina, voiced a desire for peace, stating, "I'd like us to live in a peaceful country, with no war."
Economic issues, such as rising prices and fuel shortages due to drone attacks, are also pressing concerns for many Russians. Ivan, a local barber, noted, "No matter how much you earn it's not enough. Prices are rising faster than wages."
Overall, expectations for the upcoming elections are low, with many believing that they will not lead to significant changes in governance. Grishin summarized the sentiment, stating, "Elections in Russia never bring a change in government. At best, they're a way of influencing it, of sending a signal."