New Publication in Post-Soviet Affairs

This article explores the impact of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on party-system dynamics in Russia by analyzing the war-related communication of the five main “systemic opposition” parties, their leaders, and three Communist MPs who initially criticized the invasion. Examining their adoption of established pro-war regime propaganda (anti-Ukrainian, anti-Western, “Z-talk”) or anti-war rhetoric, it finds evidence for a functional reconfiguration of the party system, stopping short of full-fledged rhetorical harmonization. The article contributes to research of how co-opted opposition parties in electoral authoritarian regimes adapt their rhetoric in moments of high pressure for political conformity.