Putin Urges Russians to Vote in Parliamentary Election, Ties Turnout to War Support
Ahead of Russia's three-day parliamentary election, President Vladimir Putin called on citizens to vote, framing participation as proof of national unity and support for the war in Ukraine, even as most anti-war candidates have been barred from running.
President Vladimir Putin has urged Russians to take part in the country's upcoming parliamentary election, describing voter turnout as a measure of public backing for Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine.
The election, running for three days starting Friday, will determine the makeup of the 450-seat State Duma, the lower house of parliament that has consistently rubber-stamped Kremlin policy. This marks the first parliamentary vote since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The vote comes as surveys indicate growing unease among some Russians about how the war is affecting their daily lives, amid mounting strain on the economy. Most candidates opposed to the war have been kept off the ballot, and the electoral system remains tightly managed by authorities. United Russia, the ruling party backed by Putin, is broadly expected to maintain its grip on parliament.
Putin's address
In a televised speech delivered ahead of the vote, Putin referenced the war and Ukrainian territories under Russian control, arguing that casting a ballot would help secure Russia's victory and show the country's resolve against outside pressure.
He said the outcome would once again demonstrate that millions of citizens stand behind Russian soldiers and that the nation remains united by shared values, historical memory and love of country — adding that no one would succeed in dividing, intimidating, or undermining Russia's political system.
Putin further characterized the election as a collective rebuff to those seeking to weaken Russia, obstruct its development, and strip it of its sovereignty and right to determine its own path forward.
