Russia’s 2024 regional and municipal elections resulted in the ruling United Russia party solidifying its control in over 4,000 races nationwide, including in occupied Ukrainian territories. With the invasion of Ukraine in its third year, the Kremlin effectively banned independent opposition candidates and restricted the list of approved candidates allowed onto the ballot. All incumbent governors and regional heads won re-election by record margins, with an average of about 80%. The Kremlin closely monitored the election campaign to ensure that no governor received a higher percentage of the vote than President Vladimir Putin, considering it improper and possibly resulting in punishment for the governors.
In the Urals republic of Bashkortostan, Radiy Khabirov, during his quest for re-election, faced corruption scandals. Despite securing 80.21% of the votes according to official records, independent analysts believe his actual share of the votes is closer to 40%. Khabirov’s opponent, Communist Party candidate Artur Shainurov, is said to have lost the election, although some polling stations showed him defeating Khabirov. In St. Petersburg, Governor Alexander Beglov won re-election with 59.34% of the vote, the lowest margin of victory for an incumbent governor in the country, attributing his victory to mechanisms that prevented real competitors from running.
In Bratsk, a Siberian city where the mayor is still elected by voters, Alexander Dubrovin ousted incumbent Mayor Sergei Serebrennikov with 70% of the vote. Despite being elected as an independent candidate, Dubrovin reinstated his membership in United Russia after the election. The only opposition candidate, Communist Party-backed blogger Elena Kutergina, was barred from the ballot. This election was unique for the Kremlin as it almost never runs two candidates representing United Russia in a single race, ensuring United Russia’s continued dominance without bolstering the systemic opposition.
Over 300 war veterans of the conflict in Ukraine who ran as United Russia candidates were successful in this weekend’s elections, signaling the Kremlin’s emphasis on showcasing the military’s involvement in Russian politics and state management. With a significant number of Russian men involved in the conflict, it is important for the Kremlin to demonstrate their contribution to the country’s political landscape. Putin has referred to the military involved in the Ukraine invasion as the “new, true elite” of Russia, highlighting their role in politics. However, the inclusion of war veterans in political lists is not seen as notably significant, as they are not given substantial roles despite their involvement in the conflict.
Overall, the 2024 regional and municipal elections in Russia demonstrated the continued dominance of the ruling United Russia party, with incumbent governors and regional heads winning re-election by significant margins. Despite allegations of corruption and fraud in some races, the Kremlin’s control over the election process ensured the success of its preferred candidates. The inclusion of war veterans who fought in Ukraine in the elections also served as a strategic move by the Kremlin to showcase their role in Russian politics. While the elections may have lacked genuine competition and transparency, they ultimately reinforced the ruling party’s grip on power and control over regional and municipal governance in Russia.
