Elections to the State Duma in the Russian Federation 1993-2011

Abstract

Subsequent to December 1993, when the first elections were held for the newly formed Russian parliament, five further parliamentary election processes have been conducted. These occurred in the years 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011. With the exception of the 1995 and 1999 elections, all were far from being of free and democratic character. In particular the 2007 election constituted a political farce with its outcome predetermined. Among others, the weaknesses of the system relate to a lack of parliamentary tradition in Russia, constitutional and legal solutions that favour the president, and the absence of developed and stable party structures.