FOCUS – Russia holds parliamentary elections in the shadow of the war in Ukraine

MOSCOW, September 18 /ATSH-DPA/ – Russia is holding parliamentary elections from today through Sunday, in a process expected to hand victory to the ruling “United Russia” party.

The elections are taking place in a charged political climate, as the war against Ukraine has entered its fifth year.

The electoral process has been criticized by Kremlin opponents, who consider it unfair and controlled.

The elections are also widely seen as a kind of measure of support for the continuation of the war launched by Russia in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has described the vote as a collective contribution to Russia’s victory in the war.

The “United Russia” party, which has dominated Russian politics for more than two decades, aims to keep a majority of at least two-thirds in the Duma.

This comes at a difficult time for the Russian economy, accompanied by the consequences of the war, conflict fatigue and public dissatisfaction.

Among United Russia’s candidates are dozens of veterans of the war in Ukraine.

The main opposition forces have not been allowed to take part in the elections.

After the “Yabloko” party was excluded from the race, a total of 10 parties are expected on the ballot, which reportedly support the Kremlin and its stance on the war.

More than 110 million Russian citizens are eligible to vote for the 450 members of the Duma.

Besides the parliamentary elections, regional parliament elections are also being held, along with around 2,200 electoral processes at different levels of government.

A particularly controversial element is the holding of elections in the Russian-controlled Ukrainian territories in Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.

Ukraine opposes this practice.

Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, is taking part in the process for the second time.

The elections are taking place in a situation where the political outcome is expected to be dominated by the ruling party, while space for the opposition has been significantly curtailed.

The process and its legitimacy are expected to be the focus of attention inside and outside Russia. /Ad.Ab./ a.jor.