Quick Summary
- 1The All-Russian Center for the Study of Public Opinion (VCIOM) released the final weekly poll of 2025 regarding political preferences.
- 2The survey, conducted via telephone interviews, gathered data from 1,600 participants across the country between December 29 and 30.
- 3The poll asked respondents which party they would likely vote for if State Duma elections were held on the upcoming Sunday.
- 4These results offer an initial benchmark for the popularity of parliamentary forces at the start of the new electoral campaign.
A Nation's Voice
The political atmosphere in Russia is shifting as the nation prepares for the next State Duma elections. Just as the calendar turned toward 2026, a comprehensive snapshot of public sentiment was captured, offering the first clear view of the electoral landscape.
The All-Russian Center for the Study of Public Opinion (VCIOM) conducted its final weekly survey of the previous year, specifically targeting the political preferences of Russian citizens. This research serves as a crucial baseline, measuring the pulse of the electorate before the campaign machinery fully engages.
With the election cycle officially underway, these findings provide essential data on which parliamentary forces are gaining traction and how the Russian public intends to cast its votes.
The Methodology
To ensure a representative sample of the national electorate, the VCIOM analytical center utilized a standard telephone interview method. The survey was conducted over a concentrated two-day period, specifically on December 29 and 30, 2025.
Researchers reached out to a total of 1,600 respondents spread across the entire country. This sample size is designed to provide a statistically significant reflection of the broader population's views.
The core of the inquiry focused on a hypothetical scenario that is rapidly becoming a reality for Russian voters.
The Decisive Question
Participants were asked a direct question regarding their voting intentions: "If State Duma elections were held next Sunday, which of the following parties would you most likely vote for?"
This specific phrasing is a standard metric in political polling, designed to gauge immediate voter sentiment and party loyalty. The responses allow analysts to estimate the potential popularity of various parliamentary forces at this specific moment in time.
The results of this inquiry are particularly significant as they mark the official start of the 2026 Duma campaign. By capturing data before the intense campaign rhetoric begins, the poll offers a unique look at the current standing of political parties.
Benchmark for the Campaign
As the electoral race begins, these polling numbers serve as a critical benchmark for political observers and party strategists alike. The data provides a foundation against which future shifts in public opinion can be measured.
While the specific percentage breakdowns of party support are not detailed in the summary, the very existence of this survey highlights the structured nature of the electoral process. It confirms that the political landscape is being actively monitored and analyzed.
The timing of the poll—conducted at the very end of the year—suggests that the political mood of the nation was captured just as the new year and the new electoral cycle began.
Looking Ahead
The release of this data marks the beginning of a prolonged period of political activity in Russia. As the State Duma elections approach, these initial figures will likely evolve in response to campaign events, debates, and policy announcements.
Voters and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how these early preferences translate into actual votes. The VCIOM findings provide the first chapter in what promises to be a detailed narrative of the 2026 electoral contest.
For now, the political map is drawn based on the responses of 1,600 citizens, setting the stage for the months of campaigning ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
The All-Russian Center for the Study of Public Opinion (VCIOM) has published the results of its final weekly poll of 2025. The survey captures the political preferences of Russian citizens as the 2026 State Duma election cycle begins.
The research was carried out using telephone interviews over a two-day period, December 29 and 30, 2025. A total of 1,600 respondents participated in the survey from across the nation.
Participants were asked a hypothetical question about their voting intentions: which party they would support if State Duma elections were held on the nearest Sunday. This metric helps estimate the current popularity of parliamentary forces.
This poll provides a baseline measurement of public sentiment before the full election campaign begins. It serves as a critical reference point for tracking how voter preferences may shift throughout the 2026 election season.
