2007 Russian legislative election

2007 Russian legislative election
All 450 seats to the State Duma; 226 seats needed for a majority
Turnout	63.71% 8.01 pp
Chairman before election; Boris Gryzlov; United Russia	Elected Chairman ; Boris Gryzlov; United Russia

Legislative elections were held in Russia on 2 December 2007.^[1] At stake were the 450 seats in the 5th State Duma, the lower house of the Federal Assembly (the legislature). Eleven parties were included in the ballot, including Russia's largest party, United Russia, which was supported by President of Russia Vladimir Putin. Official results showed that United Russia won 64.3% of the votes, the Communist Party of the Russian Federation 11.6%, the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia 8.1%, and Fair Russia won 7.7%, and none of the other parties won enough votes to gain any seats.

Although 400 foreign election monitors were present at the polling stations, the elections received mixed criticism internationally, largely from Western countries, and by some independent media and some opposition parties domestically. The observers stated that the elections were not rigged but that media coverage was heavily favoured towards United Russia.^{[citation needed]} The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe stated that the elections were "not fair", while foreign governments and the European Union called on Russia to look for possible violations. The election commission responded saying that the allegations would be examined. The Kremlin insisted that the vote was fair and said it demonstrated Russia's political stability.

^ "Country Profile: Russia". IFES Election Guide. 2007. Retrieved 4 December 2007.

[1] "Country Profile: Russia". IFES Election Guide. 2007. Retrieved 4 December 2007.

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