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Moscow Russian President Vladimir Putin praised last week’s parliamentary elections as “free and fair” on Saturday, while more than 1,000 people gathered in Moscow to protest against the results of the polls that were overshadowed by massive accusations of fraud.
“The elections themselves were held openly and in strict accordance with the law,” Putin said during talks with top politicians from all parties represented in the new State Duma. He pointed to the fact that a new, fifth force is now represented in the parliament with the New People party as evidence of a democratic election process. United Russia won the vote last weekend with 49.8 per cent. The Communists came in second with 18.9 per cent; like all other parties represented in the Duma, they are considered close to the Kremlin. (dpa)
“The elections themselves were held openly and in strict accordance with the law,” Putin said during talks with top politicians from all parties represented in the new State Duma. He pointed to the fact that a new, fifth force is now represented in the parliament with the New People party as evidence of a democratic election process. United Russia won the vote last weekend with 49.8 per cent. The Communists came in second with 18.9 per cent; like all other parties represented in the Duma, they are considered close to the Kremlin. (dpa)
