Authors

Discussion

Political opposition in the Russian context comes in different shapes and configurations that are affected by several factors. Beyond the strategy of the opposition and the strength of the regime, the nature of centre-regions dynamics plays an increasingly important role in the regime-opposition relations. If on the one hand, the asymmetric character of federal relations may provide space and opportunities for the opposition at different levels of governance, on the other hand the degree of coordination between federal and regional authorities remains a powerful constraint on the exercise of these opportunities.

Starting from the analysis of the performance of the Communist party of Russia (KPRF) in September 2021 legislative elections, the paper explores exogenous and endogenous factors causing increasing tension within the vertical structures of the party. Although at the federal level the party is usually labelled as the main member of the so-called ‘loyal opposition’, since 2011-2012 a set of new incentives for members and activists emerged especially at the subnational level. The paper argues that this rift within the party, hand in hand with changing dynamics between the regime and the opposition, open a new window of opportunity for the Communist party and incentivise enhanced coordination with other opposition movements in Russian regions.