'United Russia' has decided on the 'top five' that will lead the party list in the Duma elections. Last time, four out of such a 'top five' refused their mandates
Dmitry Medvedev announced the first 'five' with which 'United Russia' will go to the State Duma elections in September. It includes: Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov; Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin; war correspondent Yevgeny Poddubny; children's ombudsman Maria Lvova-Belova; head of 'Yunarmia' Vladislav Golovin. Last time - in 2021 - the federal part of the list was headed by the then-Minister of Defense Sergey Shoigu, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, chief physician of the Kommunarka hospital Denis Protsenko, co-chairman of the 'All-Russian People's Front' Elena Shmeleva, and children's ombudsman Anna Kuznetsova. The first four refused mandates and transferred them to other people. Before that, the 'United Russia' list in the Duma elections was headed by one person: in 2007 - Putin, in 2011 and 2016 - Medvedev. In all cases, they refused mandates and transferred them to other people. For example, in 2011, Dmitry Medvedev's deputy seat ultimately went to Irina Yarovaya - a few years later she became famous for the law that obliged operators to store users' calls and messages. Thus, over the past 20 years, only one person from the leaders of the federal list of 'United Russia' in the Duma elections - Anna Kuznetsova - received a mandate based on the election results. Why do people who later refuse mandates head the party list? The first five names appear on the ballot and serve as an electoral showcase. Recognizable ministers, mayors, doctors, or military personnel increase trust in the list, compensate for the party's anti-rating, and help gain votes. After the elections, they can refuse seats, and the mandates go to less famous people. 'Novaya Gazeta' called such candidates 'locomotives' and noted that 'United Russia' most widely uses this perfectly legal technology. It is used massively not only in federal but also in regional elections.
Dmitry Medvedev has revealed the top five candidates leading ‘United Russia’s’ State Duma election list, including prominent figures like Sergey Lavrov and Sergey Sobyanin. This strategy involves using well-known individuals as an ‘electoral showcase’ to boost votes, with historical precedent showing these leaders often refuse their mandates. The mandates are then passed on to less prominent candidates, a tactic described as ‘locomotives’ by ‘Novaya Gazeta’.
- ‘United Russia’ has announced its top five candidates for the State Duma elections.
- The list includes Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin, war correspondent Yevgeny Poddubny, children’s ombudsman Maria Lvova-Belova, and ‘Yunarmia’ head Vladislav Golovin.
- Historically, leaders at the top of ‘United Russia’s’ lists have often refused their mandates after elections.
- This strategy uses recognizable figures as an ‘electoral showcase’ to attract votes.
- The mandates are then passed to other candidates.
- Only one leader from the federal list in the last 20 years, Anna Kuznetsova, kept her mandate.
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