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    December 18, 2011

More Protests in Russia Over Alleged Election Fraud

   VOA News
   Opposition supporters hold a rally to protest against violations at the
   parliamentary elections and the policies conducted by current Russian
   authorities in St. Petersburg. The sign reads, "Putin, you are the
   traitor," December 18, 2011.
   Photo: Reuters
   Opposition supporters hold a rally to protest against violations at the
   parliamentary elections and the policies conducted by current Russian
   authorities in St. Petersburg. The sign reads, "Putin, you are the
   traitor," December 18, 2011.

   Public dissatisfaction over alleged fraud in Russia's parliamentary
   elections brought out more street protests in both Moscow and St.
   Petersburg on Sunday.
   The protests against the ruling United Russia party of Prime Minister
   Vladimir Putin were organized by the country's Communist party, the
   runner-up in the December 4 polls.
   The thousands of protesters who turned out this Sunday were far fewer
   than the tens of thousands who filled the streets of Russia's capital
   and other cities a week ago.
   Both the opposition and outside observers say there were widespread
   irregularities and outright fraud in the vote count.
   The demonstrations come less than three months before Russia's
   presidential election, which is widely expected to return Putin to the
   presidency.
   Putin was elected president in 2000 and 2004 but Russia's constitution
   made him ineligible to seek a third consecutive term in 2008. He was
   then named prime minister by his successor as president, Dimitry
   Medvedev.
   Last month, Putin formally accepted his party's nomination to run again
   for the presidency. He says if elected, he will appoint President
   Medvedev as his prime minister.
   The job swap deal has angered many in Russia, who say it would
   strengthen authoritarian rule and clear the way for Putin to become
   Russia's longest-serving leader since communist times.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.

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