World News
Russia votes for new parliament amid public anxiety and war fatigue
Deutsche Welle reports that Russians are voting for the State Duma in the first parliamentary election since 2022.
The short version
- Russia is holding State Duma elections from September 18 to 20, 2026, marking its first parliamentary vote since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began.[Deutsche Welle]
- A recent court decision barred the anti-war Yabloko party from running, leaving opposition voters without an official anti-war platform.[Deutsche Welle]
- Prominent opposition leaders have urged citizens to spoil ballots, vote for non-ruling parties, or gather at polling stations at noon on September 20.[Deutsche Welle]
Key facts
- Russia holds its parliamentary elections for the State Duma from September 18 to 20, 2026.[Deutsche Welle]
- The anti-war Yabloko party was barred from running in the election following a court decision.[Deutsche Welle]
- United Russia is campaigning on a platform that explicitly prioritizes victory in the war.[Deutsche Welle]
- Opposition figures Yulia Navalnaya and Maxim Katz urged voters to back any party except United Russia, while Yabloko encouraged voters to spoil ballots.[Deutsche Welle]
What remains uncertain
- It remains unknown how many citizens will participate in opposition protest actions or how turnout will affect the final results.[Deutsche Welle]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.
- A war-fatigued and anxious Russia picks a new parliamentDeutsche Welle