Putin’s United Russia remains in power. What should concern the West is how it got there – analysis

Russian President Vladimir Putin's United Russia party secured a significant majority in the recent State Duma elections, winning 355 out of 450 seats with approximately 57.8% of the vote. This outcome, while unsurprising, raises concerns about the integrity of the electoral process and its implications for the war in Ukraine. Analysts describe it as Russia's most uncompetitive election in modern history, citing electronic voting, a three-day election period, and the disqualification of opposition parties like Yabloko, which advocated for a ceasefire in Ukraine.

"We have to stand for election, not be afraid to run for office," Putin said in June. "And I would advise everyone to do the same. Especially in Ukraine."

Despite a pre-election approval rating of 33% for United Russia, official figures reported a 60% voter turnout. The election was framed by Putin as a demonstration of support for the "special military operation," with many candidates, including Putin himself, notably absent from televised debates, highlighting the lack of genuine competition.