"Hero Quota": Two special military operation units carrying frontline truths and mandates will join the Russian State Duma

Soldiers will appear in the new parliamentary session, but they are no ordinary figures.

Author: Irina Mishina

Commentators:

Alexander Kiniev Dmitry Solonikov

Experts predict that by 2026, 70 to 80 participants in special military operations (slightly more than two army platoons) will be selected for the State Duma through the "Hero Moment" and "Russian Leader" programs. According to their analysis, about 20% of the parliamentary "elders" may leave politics to enter business, and the overall turnover rate of members of parliament will reach 40% to 45%.

Vladimir Yakushev, Secretary of the General Council of United Russia and Vice Chairman of the Federation Council, believes that the personnel changes in the new State Duma will be significant, but in any case, the continuity of work in the Russian Parliament will be maintained. This is inseparable from legislators with professional competence and rich experience. Yakushev stated that during the selection process, particular attention will be paid to candidates who have been elected as regional parliamentary representatives.

The current discussion about heroes of special military operations entering politics is not just about personnel rotation; it also signifies the country's emphasis on those who have proven that patriotism is not empty talk through action, closely linking national governance with them. On the other hand, large-scale renewal of the parliament may influence legislative thinking. Considering that experienced members of parliament may exit the State Duma, political trends may take unexpected turns.

What do United Russia and other parties focus on when selecting candidates? To address this question, we interviewed political scientist Alexander Kiniev.

"In my view, the so-called 'veterans' or participants in special military operations mentioned by United Russia can roughly be divided into three categories. The first is political bureaucrats – these individuals go to the front lines of special military operations for a short time solely to qualify for the 'quota-selected participant' list."

The second category consists of representatives of the security forces, whose service is their profession. They are no ordinary figures in the military and are likely to represent the interests of the 'military elite.'"

The third category includes people who happen to enter the power structure. This group may be the smallest in number."

SP: "Legislation requires specialized educational backgrounds. Will newcomers feel uncomfortable without political experience?"

"I would say that such people will likely be few in number, perhaps only there to press voting buttons. Discussing budgets, tax policies, and foreign policies requires knowledge and experience, which the bureaucratic groups of United Russia possess. If truly outstanding charismatic figures emerge, they will be provided with courses at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration or included in the 'Hero Moment' program for training. Therefore, the notion that heroes merely embellish appearances is quite one-sided. I believe each party will introduce trustworthy candidates." Analyzed the political scientist.

The press office of United Russia declined to comment on the selection of participants in special military operations for the 2026 State Duma election, while the Communist Party faction responded more actively to the SP's questions. The faction's press office stated that for potential State Duma candidates from the Communist Party who have participated in special military operations, careful and pragmatic selection will be conducted, and "targeted work" will be carried out with each specific candidate.

This is not just about professional development. Not all participants in special military operations are willing to follow trends or compromise with power. As noted by Sergei Obukhov, member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, Central Secretary, Doctor of Political Science, and State Duma Deputy, there have been cases where combatants rose up against corruption and eventually clashed with local authorities. Sosnovka in Kirov Oblast is an example – after Nikita Golelov, a participant in the presidential "Hero Moment" program, was elected mayor following his exposure of local corruption, he was sent back to the front lines by the local "elites" who were unwilling to change the status quo in Sosnovka.

Sergei Obukhov believes that this shows that acting according to "elite" rules, most participants in special military operations would not survive: practice demonstrates that veterans firmly oppose corruption and social injustice.

Mikhail Matveev, a State Duma deputy from the Communist Party, cited examples of individuals in the bureaucratic ranks who went to the front lines of special military operations for short periods solely to advance their careers.

"I believe that the bureaucratic class of United Russia will not make room for truly long-term combatants on a broad scale. After all, those who return from the battlefield have undergone profound transformation; simply listing combatants on the party roster to 'embellish appearances' makes no sense," said Mikhail Matveev.

Dmitry Solonikov, a political scientist and director of the Institute for the Development of Modern States, believes that discussing specific quotas for certain parties in the upcoming State Duma elections is inappropriate.

"At present, one can only say that there is a candidate cultivation plan for State Duma deputies, and mentioning specific numbers is sheer nonsense. Candidates should express public opinion, work with voters at the grassroots level, rather than convey the ideas of a particular party. Voters should nominate candidates for deputies, which is the essence of a representative. It is correct to have participants in special military operations serve in the new State Duma, but everything should be decided by voting. Replacing nominations with appointing suitable candidates would risk losing local support."

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7515237417431925284/

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