Putin’s Hold on Parliament Weakens as Communists Advance
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Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s hold on parliament weakened as opposition to his 12-year rule grows amid his campaign to regain the presidency in March.
Putin’s United Russia won 49.5 percent of yesterday’s vote for the State Duma, down from 64.3 percent in 2007, the Central Election Commission said, citing a preliminary tally. The results give United Russia 238 seats, or 52.9 percent of the 450-member legislative body. The Communists polled second with 19.2 percent, up from 11.6 percent four years ago, boosting the number of their seats to 92 from 57. Turnout was 60.2 percent.