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Putin's party loses support in polls

Russian PM Vladimir Putin

Summary

5 December 2011

The Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has suffered an unexpected setback¹ in parliamentary elections. His party, United Russia, has won just under 50% of the vote.

Reporter

Steve Rosenberg

Report

For Vladimir Putin this is uncharted territory. He's grown used to being Russia's most popular and powerful politician - completely in control. But his political party has stuttered at the polls.

United Russia will remain the largest single party in the new parliament but it will have fewer seats. Its share of the vote has dropped from 64% to around 50%. And that amid widespread allegations of vote rigging in favour of the ruling party.

That will come as an embarrassment² to Mr Putin, just three months before he runs again for Russian president. He's almost certain to win the presidential election next March.

But the parliamentary poll reflects a growing fatigue³ with a leader who has dominated the Russian political stage for more than a decade.

Steve Rosenberg, BBC News, Moscow