Image Credit: RTVI
Russia’s regional elections concluded on September 8, spanning 83 of the country’s 89 regions, where voters elected governors, legislative deputies, municipal authorities, and three State Duma deputies. The Central Electoral Commission (CEC) reported that all gubernatorial elections saw the victory of incumbents or acting heads appointed by President Vladimir Putin, while United Russia candidates secured wins in parliamentary seats.
The elections were held over three days, from September 6 to 8, with governors directly elected in 21 regions. Leaders in Ingushetia and the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug were selected by local parliamentary deputies. Preliminary results indicate that Vadim Shumkov, the current governor of the Kurgan region, achieved the highest vote percentage, securing 85.17%. On the other end, Saint Petersburg’s Alexander Beglov received the lowest, with 59.34%.
Among the notable winners were Bashkiria’s Radiy Khabirov, who retained his position with 80.21% of the vote, and the acting governor of the Khabarovsk Krai, Dmitry Demeshin, who garnered 81.03%. Other key victories include Andrei Bocharov in the Volgograd region, who received 79.68%, and the governor of the Chelyabinsk region, Alexey Teksler, who won with 81.28%.
The election also included by-elections to the State Duma in Khakassia, Bryansk, and Rostov Oblasts. The outcomes reinforced the dominance of United Russia, which continues to exert substantial control over regional politics. Analysts attribute the incumbents’ widespread success to their alignment with the federal government and strong administrative resources.
The results reflect a continuing trend in Russian politics, where incumbent leaders, often closely linked to the Kremlin, maintain their positions with significant majorities. The election outcomes underscore the ongoing political stability and control exerted by the ruling party across Russia’s vast regions.