Yakutia's Duma race intensifies as Communists challenge United Russia's dominance
A Quiet War Before the Storm: Who Will Represent Yakutia in the New State Duma?
Five months remain until the September elections to the State Duma. While the campaign has not officially begun, in Yakutia—a region with a uniquely complex political landscape—the battle for federal seats is already in full swing. United Russia's primaries, the opposition's struggle for candidates, and unexpected backroom alliances are all shaping the race for Moscow's parliament. Here's who may end up claiming those coveted seats.
Lessons from 2021: How the Communists Outmaneuvered the Ruling Party in Yakutia
The 2021 elections were nothing short of a sensation for Yakutia. For the first time in years, United Russia lost the regional party-list vote, with the Communist Party (CPRF) securing 35.15% compared to the ruling party's 33.22%. The margin—just under 6,500 votes—sent shockwaves through Moscow and marked a triumph for local communists.
But the real surprise came in the single-mandate race. In Yakutia's Constituency No. 24, CPRF candidate Pyotr Ammosov—a sitting State Duma deputy both then and now—emerged victorious with 69,215 votes (21.61%). He edged out United Russia's Pyotr Cherkashin (64,275 votes, 20.07%) and A Just Russia's Fyodot Tumusov (62,597 votes, 19.55%).
The results were nail-bitingly close: the top three candidates were nearly neck and neck, with Ammosov's lead over Cherkashin amounting to less than 5,000 votes. Yevgeny Fyodorov, head of Yakutia's Electoral Commission, noted that the elections were conducted with maximum transparency, despite 15 complaints from A Just Russia and one from United Russia—all of which were dismissed as unfounded.
The most intriguing twist came after the votes were counted. Yakutia, as a single region, sent five deputies to the eighth convocation of the State Duma—an unprecedented outcome.
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