Moscow City Council Election Confirms United Russia's Dominance

Strategic Insights -

The Moscow city council election, seen as a precursor to the 2007 parliamentary elections and the 2008 presidential election, has confirmed United Russia's dominance, with the party securing 47.25% of the party list vote and winning all 15 direct district elections. The Communist Party of the Russian Federation won 16.75% of the vote, gaining four seats, while the liberal bloc running under the Yabloko party banner won 11.11% or three seats. The Supreme Court's decision to remove the nationalist Rodina party from the ballot due to a racist campaign commercial helped the Communist Party win its biggest vote in Moscow in years.

Key Takeaways:

  • United Russia secured 47.25% of the party list vote and won all 15 direct district elections, giving it 28 of the 35 seats in the Moscow city council.
  • The Communist Party of the Russian Federation won 16.75% of the vote, gaining four seats.
  • The liberal bloc running under the Yabloko party banner won 11.11% of the vote, or three seats, barely crossing the 10% threshold required for representation in the council.
  • The Supreme Court's decision to remove the nationalist Rodina party from the ballot due to a racist campaign commercial helped the Communist Party win its biggest vote in Moscow in years.
  • The number of invalid ballots exceeded 6%, much higher than in previous elections, primarily due to supporters of Rodina invalidating their ballots by writing in the party's name.
  • The city council's powers increased after Putin's reforms in 2004, allowing the leaders of Russian regions to be approved by local legislatures instead of being elected directly.
  • Mayor Yuri Luzhkov has stated that he will step down in 2007, but has ensured that his successor remains loyal to his business and political allies.
  • The liberal bloc charged that any final result with less than 14% would be proof of election fraud, but ultimately won enough votes to be represented in the council.

Statistics:

  • 47.25%: United Russia's share of the party list vote
  • 16.75%: Communist Party's share of the vote
  • 11.11%: Liberal bloc's share of the vote
  • 6%: Number of invalid ballots as a percentage of total votes
  • 14%: Threshold for election fraud according to the liberal bloc
  • 2007: Year in which Mayor Yuri Luzhkov's term ends
  • 2004: Year in which Putin's reforms were introduced, changing the leadership selection process for Russian regions

Sources:

  • Moscow City Election Commission
  • Russia's Election Commission
  • Yabloko party
  • Union of Right Forces
  • Kommersant (newspaper)
  • RIA Novosti (news agency)