news
Record number of pro-regime Russian gubernatorial candidates ditch ruling party United Russia
Source: Meduza
In 2019, a record number of gubernatorial candidates who support the current Russian regime are running for election as independent candidates rather than with the ruling United Russia party, according to a survey conducted by the movement “Golos.” The popularity of United Russia has declined noticeably in recent months. Six candidates for governor (from St. Petersburg as well as the Zabaykalsk, Astrakhan, Kurgan, Sakhalin, and Chelyabinsk regions) did not accept the party’s nomination — exactly as many as had previously done so since the reintroduction of direct gubernatorial elections in 2012. One regional governor, Valery Limarenko of the Sakhalin region, even announced his intention to run as an independent candidate before that option was legally permitted in regional legislation. Gubernatorial elections will take place in 16 Russian regions on September 8, 2019.
Cover photo: Kirill Kukhmar / TASS / Scanpix / LETA