Party radio debates ahead of State Duma elections begin in Russia

MOSCOW, August 25. /TASS/. The first election debates among parties running in the State Duma elections will air today on federal radio stations. Earlier, the Central Election Commission held a draw to allocate free airtime among registered parties on nationwide state television and radio channels. Following the draw, the commission approved a schedule for campaign materials and joint campaign events. Further radio debates will be held on August 26 and 27 and September 1, 2, 8 and 9. Television debates will begin on August 31 and will air on Channel One, Rossiya-1, Rossiya-24, TV Center and OTR on different days. Elections to the ninth State Duma will take place on September 18, 19 and 20, 2026. Residents of Donbass and Novorossiya will take part in the State Duma elections for the first time. Ten parties are taking part in the elections in the federal constituency: United Russia, the Communist Party, the Liberal Democratic Party, New People, A Just Russia, the Russian Party of Pensioners for Social Justice, Communists of Russia, Rodina, the Russian Ecological Party The Greens and the Party of Direct Democracy.