The September 2013 Regional Elections in Russia: The Worst of Both Worlds

Abstract:

The September 2013 elections in the regions of Russia resulted in victories of the major pro-government party, United Russia, in 16 regional legislative elections, and brought success to incumbent chief executives in eight gubernatorial elections. However, the apparent recovery of United Russia from the trauma of the 2011 national legislative elections stemmed not so much from its increased popularity in the electorate, but rather from its ability to engage in manipulative vote-splitting strategies against the opposition. The rules of candidate nomination in gubernatorial elections were so restrictive that most of these elections could not be characterized as truly competitive.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Putin ally Sergei Sobyanin wins Moscow mayor election http://www.europeansources.info/record/putin-ally-sergei-sobyanin-wins-moscow-mayor-election/

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