Lavrov stepped aside at the opportune moment, and Putin’s successor was already in place. Recently, Lavrov and others voluntarily relinquished their seats in the State Duma. On the surface, this appears to be a case of "retiring after achieving success," but in reality, it reflects a long-standing political strategy employed in Russian politics—the so-called "political locomotive" model.
In essence, United Russia places high-profile figures such as Lavrov, Deputy Prime Minister Trutnev, and Moscow Mayor Sobyanin at the top of its candidate lists, leveraging their public recognition to mobilize support across the party. These individuals never intended to serve in the Duma; once elections are won, they collectively submit resignation requests, freeing up seats that are then filled by lower-ranked party members on the list. This year, approximately 60 officials followed this pattern, including numerous regional governors and heads of autonomous republics.
Why is this practice necessary? The United Russia platform holds limited appeal for ordinary voters, and its grassroots members lack public visibility. Yet, the Kremlin requires the party to maintain an absolute majority in the Duma to ensure presidential legislation and budgets pass smoothly. Thus, the reputations of senior officials are used as electoral engines—once sufficient votes are secured, these figures withdraw.
The coordinated participation and subsequent withdrawal of regional governors carry another significance: they serve as a comprehensive test of loyalty and mobilization capacity among local leaders. By personally leading the campaign and risking their own political standing, governors are expected to boost voter turnout and support for United Russia in their regions. Afterward, they remain in office, while the newly acquired seats are distributed to subordinates.
Who fills these vacancies? Primarily three groups: first, party functionaries and technical experts within United Russia, tasked with maintaining the legislative machinery of the Duma; second, professionals from fields such as medicine, education, and business, responsible for drafting legislation in specific sectors; and third, veterans who have served in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The third category warrants particular attention. President Putin has explicitly stated that military personnel who have fought in the Russia-Ukraine conflict represent the true elite of the nation, and that the country’s future should be entrusted to them. United Russia swiftly aligned with this narrative, turning this Duma election cycle into a vehicle for integrating veterans into parliament. As a result, the new State Duma includes 46 combat veterans—a proportion exceeding 10% of the 450-member chamber—and the share of veterans in regional councils is similarly significant.
Thus, Lavrov’s departure was not an act of personal virtue, but a scripted transition. Senior officials return to their previous positions, while those who enter the inner circle are individuals who have seen combat and borne sacrifice. Moving steadily from local to central institutions, they are reshaping the contours of Russia’s political landscape—quietly, but decisively.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1877815433455687/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.