Our Home is Russia was created at the Kremlin's behest in 1995 in the same way that Unity was created in 1999. The then prime minister, Viktor Chernomyrdin, was appointed its leader, a position he still holds. It formed the second largest faction in the last parliament, but now appears destined to sink into obscurity, having gained only 1% of the vote in the December election.

Before the start of the election campaign Our Home is Russia was joined by "Forward Russia" the party of a fiery former finance minister, Boris Fyodorov. His political future, like that of Mr Chernomyrdin, is now unclear. Mr Chernomyrdin had earlier been regarded as potential presidential candidate.