The liberal party Yabloko is fielding 98 candidates in this weekend’s elections, a small miracle for antiwar Russians who cannot openly express their views.

© Nanna Heitmann for The New York Times

Chancellor Friedrich Merz faced growing pressure on Sunday after his center-right party finished behind far-right and far-left parties in state elections in the east.

© Markus Schreiber/Associated Press

Russia is staging an election that matters to almost no one — except President Vladimir V. Putin and his inner circle.

© Nanna Heitmann for The New York Times

Russian elections like the parliamentary vote that begins today are hardly free. But they are critical to the government as a source of legitimacy.

© Nanna Heitmann for The New York Times