Russia’s ruling party plans leadership shake-up before State Duma vote

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Security Council and chairman of United Russia, may head the party’s list in the State Duma elections scheduled for September 20, 2026, sources close to the presidential administration and the party have told Vedomosti.

Party officials are reportedly considering placing Medvedev at the top of the list, either as the sole lead candidate or as part of a “federal five” group. No final decision has yet been made, with the list configuration expected to be confirmed in the spring.

Sources told the newspaper that Medvedev’s current rating exceeds the figures recorded before the 2021 elections. His public activity and focus on security and migration issues have reportedly boosted his support among patriotic voters, while his disapproval rating remains low.

In 2021, the federal part of United Russia’s list was headed by then-Defence Minister, now Security Council Secretary, Sergey Shoigu, alongside Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and other senior figures.

At that time, Medvedev’s trust rating was estimated at 18–25%; recent polls suggest it has risen to around 42.5%. Medvedev has previously led the party list in 2011 and 2016.

The last Duma elections, held from September 17–19, 2021, saw United Russia secure 49.82% of the vote. The Communist Party came second with 18.93%, followed by A Just Russia — For Truth on 7.46%, the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia on 7.55%, New People on 5.32%, and the Pensioners’ Party on 2.45%.

By Aghakazim Guliyev