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2026-09-23 14:43 UTC → 2026-09-23 17:40 UTC ·
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Ahead of Following the State Duma elections held September 18–20, 2026, President Vladimir Putin framed the vote as a demonstration of national unity and a collective response against those seeking to weaken Russian sovereignty. Putin reported a positive economic outlook, citing a projected GDP growth of approximately one percent, low unemployment of 2.3 percent, and a federal budget surplus of 606 billion rubles in August, driven by an 18 percent increase in non-oil and gas revenues. He emphasized that budget priorities include national security, defense capabilities, and social obligations. However, public sentiment appeared to diverge from official reports. Surveys by the Foundation for Public Opinion (FOM) indicated rising pessimism, with more than half of the population expecting no improvement in the national situation over the next six to twelve months. While over 70 percent of the population reportedly continued to support Putin, citizens faced economic pressures from inflation and fuel volatility caused by drone attacks on refineries. Following In the elections, aftermath of the vote, Putin cited a record stated that the high voter turnout of 59.68 percent as evidence demonstrates public support for government policies and the nation’s armed forces. He noted that despite attempts to disrupt the country cannot be intimidated process through air defense breaches in Moscow and other regions, the turnout—reported by attempts the Central Election Commission at 59.3 percent—indicates that the people support efforts to sabotage strengthen the process. With 95.18 percent of protocols counted, country. Preliminary results show the ruling United Russia party secured 57.83 maintained a significant majority, expected to control 355 out of 450 seats after securing more than 57 percent of the vote. State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin defended Putin expressed confidence that the legitimacy objectives of the competitive campaign, dismissing Western interference special military operation will be achieved, stating that the people believe in the victory and characterizing citizen participation as a contribution to Russia’s victory. heroism of soldiers on the front lines.