How did Mikhail Gorbachev’s reforms change free speech and elections in the Soviet Union?

Mikhail Gorbachev’s reforms significantly transformed the Soviet political landscape by introducing policies that dismantled the Communist Party's absolute control over speech and elections.

Glasnost and Free Speech

Gorbachev instituted the policy of glasnost (openness) in the late 1980s to encourage the discussion of social and political issues. This reform permitted the public criticism of government officials and allowed the media to disseminate news and information with greater freedom. By fostering a more open environment, glasnost enabled citizens and non-Russian nationalities to voice opposition to communist and Russian domination, which contributed to a rise in regionalism and nationalism.12

Electoral Reforms

Gorbachev’s push for democratization led to fundamental changes in the electoral process:
* Multicandidate Elections: The government moved away from ritualistic, single-candidate elections, allowing for multicandidate contests.12
* Structural Changes: The Congress of People’s Deputies replaced the Supreme Soviet as the highest organ of state power, with its first elections held in March 1989.2
* End of Monopoly: In 1990, the repeal of Article 6 of the constitution ended the Communist Party’s legal monopoly on power, legitimizing multiparty politics and allowing numerous informal associations and parties to emerge.2