Narodnaya Volya was seen by many as the most nationalist and conservative element in a then-mostly leftist Rodina, and a number of its members in the past were associated with Russian far-right movements.

In October 2006, Narodnaya Volya, unlike most of Rodina, did not join the Russia of Justice party, and remained an independent faction in the Duma.

Prominent Narodnaya Volya party members include Viktors Alksnis, Nikolai Leonov, and Aleksandr Rutskoy.

In November 2006, the party gained prominence as one of the main organizers of the nationalist Russian Marsh during the Unity Day celebrations in Moscow.

On 26 March 2007, Narodnaya Volya united with 13 small nationalist, Orthodox Christian, and conservative organizations and party was renamed the People's Union.