Political Trends in the Russian Regions on the Eve of the State Duma Elections

Author(s): Vladimir Gel'man
Editor(s): Matthias Neumann, Robert Orttung, Jeronim Perovic, Heiko Pleines, Hans-Henning Schröder
Series: Russian Analytical Digest (RAD)
Issue: 31
Pages: 6-7
Publisher(s): Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich; Research Centre for East European Studies, University of Bremen
Publication Year: 2007

During previous State Duma campaigns, the Russian regions were an arena for battle among various parties. In particular, in 1999, there was intense conflict between the Fatherland-All Russia bloc, set up by the regional leaders, and the pro-Kremlin Unity. On the eve of the 2007 elections, the Kremlin wants the United Russia party of power to have unquestioned dominance in the new Duma, and is trying to remove the possibility of any unexpected outcome which would block a complete victory. As a result, the political landscapes of the regions are increasingly identical and loyal to the Kremlin.

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