The Center for Public Opinion has made its predictions for the upcoming parliamentary elections in December.
It says only four parties will pass the 7 percent electoral threshold needed to win seats in the Duma: United Russia, the Communists, the Liberals and Fair Russia. Russia’s leading party is expected to scoop up 60 percent of the ballots.
This means the picture in parliament will be similar to now in terms of the parties present – though the opposition will have more seats.
Any party winning a 6 percent share of the vote will get two seats. For a 5 percent share, there will be just one.
The Center for Public Opinion predicts that just over half the population will vote in the Duma elections.