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December 8, 2011

Gorbachev Calls for New Vote as Russia Protests Grow 
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Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev has called on Russian authorities
to annul the nation’s parliamentary votes and hold a new election.
Speaking to the Interfax news agency Gorbachev said: "More and more
people are starting to believe that the election results are not fair
... I believe that ignoring public opinion discredits the authorities
and destabilizes the situation." Unrest over the election has prompted
thousands of people to gather in protest in Moscow and St. Petersburg
over the last two days. Vladamir Putin’s United Russia party won less
than 50 percent of the vote in the disputed election. International
monitors and opposition groups have said the contest was marred with
rigging that included ballot-box stuffing and false voter rolls.



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