Russian business ombudsman: Weak confidence in Duma may be behind low turnout at elections
According to Russian Commossioner for businessmen's rights, many entrepreneurs believe in the Russian president, and at the same time think that parliament does not play a very important role
MOSCOW, September 19. /TASS/. Russian commissioner for businessmen’s rights, Boris Titov, who is also the leader of the Party of Growth said the turnout of the party’s target audience was low at the State Duma elections due to the fact that businessmen see no support of the lower house of parliament.
"In this respect there is a serious factor as the majority of people have confidence in President while the parliament is taking the back seat. Many entrepreneurs did not participate (in elections - TASS) as they assume not much depends on what is happening in the parliament," he said.
According to Titov, the Party of Growth plans to participate in the next municipal, regional and federal elections. "Yes, we are going to next regional, city and federal (elections - TASS)," he said when asked a respective question.
Also, the Stolypin Club will continue its work, Titov, who chairs the Club’s presidium, said.
"The Party of Growth will be one of the instruments, probably less efficient than it could have been if it had got into the State Duma, to promote the program (of the Stolypin Club - TASS)," he said.
According to early statistics, the voter turnout at the State Duma elections held on September 18, was 47.75%. The elections were held under a mixed pattern: 225 legislators were elected on party tickets, and 225 in single-member constituencies.
According to the latest results disclosed by the Central Election Commission on Monday, United Russia will have a total of 343 mandates in the State Duma (76.22% of the seats). In other words, it will enjoy a guaranteed constitutional majority (of no less than 300 mandates). The Communist party may have 42 mandates (9.34%), the LDPR - 39 mandates (8.67%), and A Just Russia, 23 mandates (5.11%). The Communists of Russia placed fifth with 2.31%, followed by Yabloko with 1.94%, the Russian Party of Pensioners for Justice with 1.75%, Rodina with 1.48%, the Party of Growth with 1.25%, the Greens with 0.75%, Parnas with 0.72%, the Patriots of Russia with 0.59%, the Civic Platform, with 0.22% and the Civic Force with 0.14%.
Rodina and the Civic Platform, which failed to get their candidates into the State Duma, will have one mandate each. One seat goes to self-nominated candidate Vladislav Reznik.