2007 Russian legislative election — Russian election; United Russia won the majority of votes
United Russia's dominant victory consolidated Vladimir Putin's political hold over Russia's legislature amid international criticism of the election's fairness.
Key Facts
- Date
- 2 December 2007
- Seats contested
- 450 seats in the 5th State Duma
- United Russia vote share
- 64.3%
- Communist Party vote share
- 11.6%
- Liberal Democratic Party share
- 8.1%
- Foreign election monitors
- 400
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Russia's political environment in 2007 was shaped by President Vladimir Putin's strong support for United Russia, the dominant party. Eleven parties contested elections to the 450-seat State Duma, with United Russia enjoying substantial state resources and heavily favourable media coverage, which critics argued skewed the playing field before polling day.
Legislative elections were held on 2 December 2007 for all 450 seats of the 5th State Duma. United Russia secured 64.3% of the vote, with the Communist Party at 11.6%, the Liberal Democratic Party at 8.1%, and A Just Russia at 7.7%. No other party cleared the threshold needed to win seats. Some 400 foreign observers monitored the vote.
United Russia emerged with a commanding parliamentary majority, reinforcing Kremlin dominance over the legislature. Internationally, the OSCE and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe declared the elections 'not fair', and Western governments called for investigations into possible violations. The Kremlin rejected the criticism, asserting the result demonstrated Russia's political stability.
Political Outcome
United Russia won 64.3% of the vote, securing a dominant majority in the 5th State Duma; three other parties cleared the threshold while the remaining seven won no seats.
United Russia held a majority in the 4th State Duma
United Russia consolidated an even larger majority in the 5th State Duma