Electoral potential of opposition candidates on the basis of elections to regional parliaments in the Central Black Earth Region (2010-2018)

Abstract

The paper analyzes the electoral statistics of the results of regional elections in Parliament and Governor in five regions of the Central Black Earth Region. Systematization of the data of the CEC of the Russian Federation allows comparing the results of voting at the level of district and territorial election commissions before and after the «party reform» of 2012-2014. The analysis records a decrease the level of participation in regional elections of the Central Chernozem Region, a decrease in the electoral activity of «city» voters, in comparison with the rural voters, greater support by the rural voters parties and candidates «from the authorities». Opposition parties and candidates in the observed period have insufficient electoral potential for full-fledged competition, with a tendency to reduce it. At the same time in 2017-2018 a decrease in electoral support of candidates «from the authorities» was recorded.