United Russia has decided on the “five” that will head the party’s list in the State Duma elections. Last time, four of the “five” refused their mandates

Last time, four of the “five” refused their mandates

Dmitry Medvedev announced the first “five” with which United Russia will go to the State Duma elections in September.

It included: Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov; Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin; military correspondent Evgeniy Poddubny; children's ombudsman Maria Lvova-Belova; head of the Yunarmiya Vladislav Golovin.

🔵 Last time - in 2021 - the federal part of the list was headed by the then head of the Ministry of Defense Sergei Shoigu, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov, the head doctor of the hospital in Kommunarka Denis Protsenko, the co-chairman of the All-Russian Popular Front Elena Shmeleva, as well as the children's ombudsman Anna Kuznetsova. The first four refused their mandates and transferred them to other people.

🔵 Before this, 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 the mandates and transferred them to other people.

So, in 2011, Dmitry Medvedev’s deputy seat eventually went to Irina Yarovaya - a few years later she became famous for the law that obliged operators to store user conversations and messages.

🔵 Thus, over the past 20 years, only one person from among the leaders of the federal list of “United Russia” in the Duma elections - Anna Kuznetsova - received a mandate based on the election results.

🔵 Why is the party list headed by people who will later give up their mandates? The first five names appear on the ballot and act as an electoral showcase. Recognizable ministers, mayors, doctors or military officers increase the credibility of the list, compensate for the party's anti-rating and help gain votes. After the elections, they can give up their seats, and the mandates go to lesser-known people.

Novaya Gazeta called such candidates “locomotives” and noted that United Russia makes the most use of this completely legal technology. It is used massively not only in federal, but also in regional elections.