---
title: "Start of the election campaign: Putin spoke at the United Russia congress and named key figures in the list"
description: "Vladimir Putin launched the United Russia election campaign at the party congress. Lavrov, Sobyanin, and 76 SMO participants were included in the federal list. Elections to the State Duma of the IX convocation will take place in September 2026. 🗳️🇷🇺"
date: 2026-06-28T23:51:24.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/start-of-the-election-campaign-putin-spoke-at-the-united-russia-congress
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Start of the election campaign: Putin spoke at the United Russia congress and named key figures in the list

![Vladimir Putin speaks at the United Russia congress, announcing the start of the election campaign and naming key candidates](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/29/start-predvybornoj-kampanii-putin-vystupil-na-syezde-edinoy-rossii/start-predvybornoj-kampanii-putin-vystupil-na-syezde-edinoy-rossii-1.webp)

### Official start of the election race

The first stage of the XXIII Congress of the United Russia party concluded in Moscow, effectively marking the beginning of the official election campaign ahead of the elections to the State Duma of the IX convocation. The central event of the forum was the speech by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who characterized the current historical moment as a "fateful time." The head of state emphasized that the country is facing unprecedented foreign policy pressure and a systemic transformation of the global architecture.

Elections to the lower house of parliament are scheduled for the autumn of 2026. The Central Election Commission has approved a three-day voting format, which will take place from September 18 to 20. The main task of the first stage of the congress was the formation and nomination of candidates, which became a key element of the preparation for the election race.

### Personnel renewal and list leaders

The federal party list was approved at the congress, the structure of which has undergone significant changes. At the suggestion of the party chairman Dmitry Medvedev, the general federal part of the list was headed by five key figures, whose names were announced at the event:

- Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov;
- Mayor of Moscow Sergey Sobyanin;
- Military correspondent Evgeny Poddubny;
- Ombudsman for Children's Rights Maria Lvova-Belova;
- Head of the Yunarmiya movement Vladislav Golovin.

In total, more than 600 candidates are represented in the United Russia list. Special attention in the party strategy is paid to the integration of persons with experience in combat operations. The composition of the nominated deputies includes 76 participants of the Special Military Operation (SMO). The party leadership positions this group as the basis for forming an updated personnel potential in civil and administrative management structures.

### Geopolitical context and rhetoric of the authorities

A significant part of Vladimir Putin's speech was devoted to the analysis of external threats and the stability of state institutions. The President stated that attempts by Western elites to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia on the battlefield have not succeeded. In response to this, according to the head of state, external forces have moved on to attempts to destabilize the internal socio-political situation and sow discord within the country.

"The West is experiencing rough, unprecedented pressure from the elites. They cannot inflict a strategic defeat on us, win on the battlefield, so they are trying to shake up the political situation," Putin noted.

### Analytical review and prospects

Political observers link the inclusion of combatants and media figures in the upper part of the party list with the need to legitimize the long-term defense course and consolidate the electoral base. Against the backdrop of the ongoing military conflict and infrastructure challenges, including local imbalances in the fuel market, the authorities are betting on figures associated with strength and the protection of national interests.

The second stage of the United Russia congress, where the approval of the new pre-election "People's Program" is planned, is scheduled for August 22, 2026. The country's leadership assured that the electoral process will take place in strict accordance with Federal Law No. 20-FZ and the Constitution of the Russian Federation, and all social obligations of the state will be fulfilled in full.