Putin's party wins hands down in Duma vote

With 90% of the ballots counted, United Russia already has 54.3% of the votes, 338 seats out of 450. The opposition parties are unlikely to reach the 5% threshold.

 

Moscow (AsiaNews) - The "United Russia" party, supported by President Vladimir Putin has already won a large majority in parliamentary elections held yesterday, although the results are still partial.

The results were almost a foregone conclusion. With 90% of votes counted, the party has already secured 54.3% of the vote, corresponding to 338 seats in a parliament of 450.

In second place, but at a large distance are two pro-government parties: the Communists and the Liberal ultranationalist Democratic Party with 14-15%.

Polls had predicted only 44-48% for United Russia. For two of the opposition parties, Yabloko and Parnas, the projections are for 3.5 and 1.2%. They are not likely to exceed the 5% threshold necessary to be represented.

Turnout was about 40% lower in these elections than those of 2011, a sign of growing apathy among Russians.

Some irregularities were registered especially in the Siberian region, but the end result should not change much: the party led by Prime Minister Dimitri Medvedev, guarantees more time in government for Vladimir Putin, as president or prime minister, who has dominated Russian politics for 17 years.

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