Medvedev sidelined as United Russia taps Lavrov and Sobyanin for September election
Dmitry Medvedev, the party chairman and former president, was not included in United Russia’s top candidate list for the September elections, despite earlier indications he would lead. Kremlin insiders say his pro-war stance and waning popularity, plus internal opposition, pushed him off the slate. The final top five centers on Sergei Lavrov and Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, with Vladislav Golovin, Maria Lvova-Belova, and Yevgeny Poddubny filling the rest, signaling a shift to Putin’s circle and a branding move away from Medvedev ahead of the vote.
