‘He’s clearly pro-war. And people are tired of the war.’ Why Russia’s ruling party left Dmitry Medvedev, its own chairman, off this September’s election list.

United Russia, Russia’s ruling party, excluded Dmitry Medvedev—its own chairman—from the September election slate, signaling a shift in political alignment. Coverage highlights the party’s move to position itself as an extension of Vladimir Putin’s authority, with Medvedev’s omission framed as a response to growing public war weariness. The Financial Times and Reuters emphasize the symbolic nature of the exclusion, framing it as a deliberate effort to distance Medvedev—long associated with moderate voices within the Kremlin—from the party’s increasingly hawkish direction.

Ukrainian outlets like *Межа. Новини України* and *Українська правда* note the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) observation that United Russia’s realignment underscores Putin’s consolidation of power. Meduza’s analysis suggests Medvedev’s absence reflects broader public discontent with the war, despite his formal role as party leader. Watch for potential fallout from Medvedev’s exclusion, including his response and any internal Kremlin power struggles.

The party’s push to field war veterans may also signal an attempt to mobilize nationalist sentiment ahead of the election. Coverage does not yet specify whether this move will impact voter turnout or opposition dynamics.