Steve Rosenberg: Russia's elections will have few surprises, but for the Kremlin they matter
· World · BBC News
Russia's upcoming parliamentary election is expected to deliver another legislature dominated by the ruling United Russia party and MPs loyal to President Vladimir Putin. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed criticism that the vote is neither free nor fair, stating that Russia maintains its own political process. This vote marks the first parliamentary election since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began four-and-a-half years ago. The Kremlin plans to use the election results to project public support for the president and the military campaign in Ukraine. Officials confirmed that nearly 200 war veterans are participating as candidates in the parliamentary election.
Why it matters
The election consolidates President Putin's political control during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and showcases war veterans within the ruling power structure.
Read the original report — BBC News
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