United Russia poised to keep State Duma majority after contested election

Moscow held a nationwide election on Sunday to fill all 450 seats of the State Duma, Russia’s lower legislative chamber. The vote marks the first parliamentary contest since the country launched its full‑scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, a conflict that has reshaped Russia’s domestic and foreign policy landscape and prompted extensive sanctions from Western governments.

Election officials reported a turnout of roughly 57 percent, with the ruling United Russia party retaining a dominant majority, securing over 300 seats. Opposition parties and independent candidates faced stringent registration hurdles and limited media access, conditions observers said constrained genuine competition. International monitors from the Organization for Security and Co‑operation in Europe declined to send a delegation, citing restrictions on their activities, while the European Union and United States issued statements urging a transparent process and warning of further diplomatic repercussions if electoral standards were not met. The newly constituted Duma is set to convene in early October, where it will approve legislation and oversee government actions amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.