Analysts considered the results of the elections for the head of Dagestan predetermined.

In the October elections for the head of Dagestan, the majority of parliamentarians will vote for the acting head of the republic, Fyodor Shchukin, analysts predicted.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on September 23, Vladimir Putin nominated three candidates for the post of head of Dagestan: the acting head of the republic, Fyodor Shchukin, the deputy chairman of the parliament, Kamila Davdieva, and the leader of the CPRF faction in the People's Assembly, Samir Abdulhalikov. The election of the head of the region is scheduled in the parliament for October 15.

No problematic factors are expected in the election of Fyodor Shchukin after the president proposed his candidacy along with two others: the percentage of votes for him will be close to one hundred, predicted political scientist Albert Esedov.

He explained that the procedure for electing the head of the republic involves parliamentary parties proposing their candidates, while non-parliamentary parties can propose their candidates for consideration by parliamentary ones.

They vote in favor of the favorite

"This moment is somewhat complicated by the fact that when Shchukin's name was proposed to Putin a few months ago, representatives of two parliamentary parties - "United Russia" and "Fair Russia" - were present. Therefore, it would be illogical for "Fair Russia" to exercise its legal right and propose someone else besides the already named candidate. However, the party may propose someone from its ranks purely for the sake of quantity and the appearance of competition. The CPRF may also propose candidates for consideration. However, as practice shows, the parties that proposed candidates do not ultimately support their own party members in parliament, voting in favor of the favorite, even if he is not from their party," Esedov told a correspondent of "Caucasian Knot".

Everything will be predictable, as always. The winner has already been determined

Real competition among the three candidates during the voting of deputies in this situation is impossible, agreed the Dagestani journalist, who requested not to publish his name. "Everything will be predictable, as always. The winner has already been determined, and something incredible would have to happen for the plans to change," he told a correspondent of "Caucasian Knot".

In his opinion, it is unlikely that the issue of electing the head will be the first on the agenda of the People's Assembly. "In September, it should gather for an inaugural session, meaning the new composition of deputies should start their work, determine the speaker, deputies, committee chairs, and clarify their structure. Therefore, the issue with the head will only be considered in October," the journalist explained.

Speaking about the difference between the current situation with the elections for the head of Dagestan and that of 2021, when the People's Assembly elected Sergey Melikov, the journalist noted that during Melikov's arrival, "there was coronavirus, and now there is a continuing special military operation." But there are no serious differences that stand out from the usual series of events, he noted.

In turn, the editor-in-chief of the website dagestanet.rf Milrad Fatullaev believes that the main difference between the current and past elections for the head of the region is that Fyodor Shchukin was "appointed" by the presidential administration several months before the elections, supported by the head of state, and finally presented to the People's Assembly as a candidate in the status of acting head.

"Sergey Melikov, according to available information, was considered a candidate for the post of head of the republic even before Vladimir Vasilyev (head of Dagestan from 2017 to 2020. - Note from 'Caucasian Knot'), but was recommended for the position only in 2021. The main difference between the current authorities and Melikov's government is the even greater strengthening of the vertical of power. Both through the official line of "federal center - region" and the informal - but defining and main line, through the team of Suleiman Kerimov and the presidential administration of the country. This line has become simply central," Fatullaev told a correspondent of "Caucasian Knot".

It should be noted that Sergey Melikov, as head of Dagestan, failed to stabilize the situation in the republic. Disorders at Makhachkala airport, protests against mobilization, and terrorist attacks in Makhachkala and Derbent resonated throughout the country, analysts pointed out.

According to them, the sluggishness in eliminating the consequences of the flooding in the spring of 2026 was the last factor that led to the decision on his resignation.