RUSSIA ELECTION 2021: Putin's United Russia party looks set for another landslide victory - Analysis

RUSSIA ELECTION 2021: Putin's United Russia party looks set for another landslide victory - Analysis

By Iain Fraser - GEO´ Reportage Editor, Malaga City

www.GEOPoliticalMatters.com

Putin's United Russia party looks set for another landslide victory in the country's parliamentary elections, despite a drop in support.

Initial results showed that with 64% of votes counted, United Russia had won nearly 48%, followed by the Communist Party with about 21%. The interim figures reveal that despite Mr Putin's party easily retaining its majority in parliament, it did lose some ground. In 2016, the party won 54% of the vote. The party claimed victory a few hours after the polls closed yesterday (Sunday, 20th September 2021) - A senior United Russia official, Andrei Turchak, said his party would win more than 300 of the 450 seats in the State Duma.

Putin's most vocal critics were barred from running in the election, and candidates who were allowed to stand were heavily vetted.

Needless to say there have been numerous allegations of ballot fraud. The Communist party, who broadly support Putin's initiatives in the Duma, saw their support grow by 8%. But their leader, Gennady Zyuganov, has alleged widespread violations, including ballot-stuffing, according to the Associated Press news agency. But Russia's electoral commission quickly scotched this and totally rejected claims of widespread irregularities.

While it´s true that Putin has many homeland critics he also has a loyal following of cognoscenti and remains popular with many Russians who credit him with standing up to the West and restoring national pride. Click Here to have my Full Analysis sent direct to your mailbox or smart device.

Image Credit: Carmen Rodriguez via Flickr