The parliamentary elections in Russia are scheduled for September this year. Recent reports indicate that discussions about delaying or even canceling the elections have surfaced since spring 2026.
Multiple factors contribute to these talks: budget deficits, rising prices, layoffs at companies, and declining ratings for the ruling party, United Russia, which currently holds a 35% approval rating according to official polls. However, internal metrics from the Federal Protective Service of Russia indicate significantly less favorable figures for the current regime.
A source familiar with the discussions noted that this rationale influenced past actions, such as internet blackouts to limit access to independent media, and the tightening of migration laws following the 2024 Crocus City Hall terrorist attack.
Talks about postponing the elections are said to be ongoing but remain informal, with no official documents currently presented to President Putin, according to the source.
Opposition to the idea comes from Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council, and political figures in the presidential administration led by First Deputy Sergey Kiriyenko, alongside information control efforts overseen by Alexey Gromov.
Despite these discussions, President Putin reportedly supports holding the elections, as canceling would imply recognizing that the situation in Russia is less stable than the Kremlin claims.
The source close to the presidential administration further stated that conversations about cancellation or postponement have intensified, particularly following recent drone attacks by Ukraine on Moscow. This sentiment is echoed by a political technology expert associated with the administration.
Following these revelations, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed that the postponement of elections was not under discussion, as reported by TASS.
Context
- Regions of Russia have been experiencing regular shelling, with Moscow enduring its most significant drone attack on June 18 since the start of the war.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on June 23 that an increasing number of Russians are dissatisfied with the continuation of the war, especially as it begins to affect Russian territory.
- Additionally, the Telegram channel Faridaily, run by Russian journalist Farida Rustamova, reported that closed polling indicates a demand from Russians for an end to the war, with elites sending similar signals to Putin.
