Putin says election turnout shows Russians support military agenda — SkimNews
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- Putin said on Wednesday that a 59.3% turnout in the September 18–20 parliamentary election showed Russians support the armed forces in Ukraine and efforts to protect national security, framing the vote as a test of backing for the 4½-year war.
- Russia's Central Electoral Commission reported 59.3% turnout, which state news agency TASS said was higher than in most recent State Duma elections.
- United Russia is set to control 355 of the 450 Duma seats — roughly 80% and a record — after winning more than 57% of votes in a tightly controlled system that excluded most candidates who oppose the war.
- Putin addressed front-line soldiers directly in his televised speech: "This vote is for you. People believe in you, believe in our victory, believe in your courage, in your heroism."
- Putin had framed the three-day election as a referendum on his determination to keep fighting until key military aims in Ukraine are met, with no anti-war parties on the ballot.
- Near-complete results showed United Russia retained its decisive parliamentary majority despite the tightly controlled political environment and exclusion of anti-war opposition candidates.
Why it matters: Putin is converting a managed 59.3% turnout and United Russia's record 355-seat haul into a public mandate for continued fighting in Ukraine — but the vote excluded most anti-war candidates, meaning the 'record support' is being claimed from a ballot that offered no opposition to the war itself.
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