# Why the Kremlin fears even Russia’s ‘managed opposition’

https://mins.news/en/item/63949

- Al Jazeera, 2026-09-18 09:10 UTC
- Politics
- Original: https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2026/9/18/why-the-kremlin-fears-even-the-managed-opposition-in-russia?traffic_source=rss

> Ahead of the Duma elections, the Kremlin intensified what is known as “ballot sterilisation” to eliminate signs of public dissatisfaction. Yabloko was barred from running, while Communist Party candidates were removed and campaigning restricted, reducing the possibility of a protest vote against United Russia.

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