Support The Moscow Times!

Russia's Highest Court OKs Early Parliamentary Vote in 2016

Russia's highest court has given the green light to holding next year's parliamentary vote several months earlier.

Lawmakers in the Kremlin-controlled parliament in June gave tentative approval to a bill that would move up next year's vote by three months, a tactic that has been decried as an attempt to weaken the opposition.

The Constitutional Court ruled on Wednesday that holding the election three months earlier does not contradict Russia's Constitution.

The ruling cleared the final hurdle for the parliament to move the 2016 election from December to mid-September. It would likely result in a lower public interest in the campaign, as many Russians go on vacation in the summer, and benefit the ruling party which tends to garner more votes when the turnout is low.

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more