Russia's pro-Kremlin United Russia party won a record 355 seats in the 450-seat Duma, further consolidating Vladimir Putin's power, with 49 deputies who took part in the war against Ukraine among those elected.
Key facts
- United Russia won a record 355 of 450 Duma seats, according to preliminary figures.
- The result surpasses the party's previous 2016 record of 343 seats.
- 49 deputies who took part in the war against Ukraine were elected to the new parliament.
- The vote was widely criticised and described as tightly controlled.
- The outcome further consolidates Vladimir Putin's grip on power.
Russia’s new parliament will include 49 deputies who have taken part in the war against Ukraine, officials said on Monday, following a landslide victory by the ruling United Russia party in elections that have been widely criticised, according to the Guardian.
The pro-Kremlin party won a record 355 seats in the country’s 450-seat Duma, the lower house of parliament, according to preliminary figures cited by the Guardian. The result gives United Russia a supermajority that exceeds its previous record of 343 seats set in 2016.
The Guardian reported that the outcome further consolidates President Vladimir Putin’s grip on power, strengthening the dominance of the ruling party in the legislature.
The inclusion of 49 deputies who fought in the war against Ukraine is significant. According to the Guardian, the record victory in the tightly controlled vote is likely to be used as evidence that the country supports the war.
The election was described as widely criticised, reflecting concerns about the conditions under which the vote was held. The Guardian characterised the process as tightly controlled.
With a supermajority now in place, United Russia holds an expanded share of seats in the Duma, reinforcing the Kremlin’s legislative authority as the war against Ukraine continues.
Why it matters
A larger supermajority for United Russia strengthens the Kremlin's control over Russia's legislature and reduces avenues for political opposition. The election of war veterans allows the government to present the result as public endorsement of its war against Ukraine, shaping both domestic narratives and international perceptions.
Frequently asked questions
How many seats did United Russia win?
United Russia won a record 355 seats in the 450-seat Duma, according to preliminary figures reported by the Guardian, surpassing its previous record of 343 seats in 2016.
How many war veterans were elected to the Duma?
Officials said 49 deputies who have taken part in the war against Ukraine were elected to the new parliament, according to the Guardian.
Was the election considered fair?
The Guardian reported that the elections were widely criticised and described the vote as tightly controlled.