Election 2012

Protests kaput? Russia’s enthusiasm for rallies dwindling - poll

In a survey canvassing 46 regions across the country, a major polling agency has found evidence indicating that Russia’s protest wave may be in retreat.

Back in the saddle, Putin faces uphill ride

The newly inaugurated Russian President, Vladimir Putin, is no stranger to controversy and challenges. The question remains, however, whether the seasoned politician will be able to adjust himself to shifting political ground both at home and abroad.

Greece’s ruling parties suffer major setback

With 97 per cent of the votes counted in Greece’s crucial parliamentary elections, the two long-term ruling parties have lost support to anti-austerity parties. Analysts warn it could potentially endanger the country’s debt obligations.

Medvedev leaves behind legacy of reform

Dmitry Medvedev’s time in the Kremlin may go down in the history books as a period when Russia began to make serious strides in the fight against corruption, and changes in law that introduced colorful diversity into the nation's political life.

Russia: PACE report on March 4 poll ‘balanced’

A report on Russia’s presidential vote presented by the monitoring mission of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) is balanced, said the head of Russian delegation to the body, Aleksey Pushkov.

Voters’ League demands a probe into ‘election fraud’

The Russian Voters’ League has urged an investigation of what they claim to be “systematic forgery” of the March 4 presidential poll results in favor of Vladimir Putin.

Prokhorov still considered oligarch, not politician

Despite taking third place in the recent presidential race, most Russians still consider billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov an “oligarch” – a businessman with ties to the authorities – rather than an opposition politician.

‘ID please, Mr. President’: Putin to get new papers

Russia’s election officials are trying to calm the public after a report appeared on the internet that the new president’s ID will cost over $3,000.

Putin purchased US recognition of victory – Communists

Washington recognized the legitimacy of Russia’s presidential poll in exchange for the creation of a transit hub for NATO’s Afghan cargo in the city of Ulyanovsk, Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov states.

Russian MPs tell EU to butt out

Russian lawmakers have expressed their dissatisfaction with a European Parliament resolution, which labeled Russia's presidential election of March 4 “neither free nor fair.”

Leftist activist gets 10 days in jail over post-election protest

Sergey Udaltsov, the coordinator of the Leftist Front organization specializing on street protests, has gone on hunger strike after being sentenced to 10 days in jail for not complying with a policeman’s order.

No program – no protest? ‘Fair elections drive may disappear in weeks’

Political analysts say the low turnout at today’s opposition rally in Moscow is down to people’s weariness with their efforts yielding so few results. Slogans need to be replaced by a clear program if the movement is not to just fade away, they warn.

Moscow protest rally: LIVE UPDATES

Losing luster? Opposition protests in Moscow thinning (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Far fewer people than expected turned up for a Saturday rally in central Moscow to protest the results of the recent presidential election, which saw Vladimir Putin winning in the first round with 63.6 per cent of the vote.

Clinton: Putin ‘clear winner’

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has acknowledged that Vladimir Putin is the “clear winner” of Russia’s presidential elections and expressed her readiness to work with the president-elect.

Official poll results confirm Putin victory

The Russian Election Commission says it has finished counting the presidential election ballots, with Vladimir Putin winning 63.6 per cent of the vote.

Anti-Russian sentiment spikes in US

Moscow and Washington are at loggerheads as Russia - which just overwhelmingly voted Vladimir Putin into the presidential office for the next six years - demonstrates it will independently pursue its own foreign policy agenda.

United Russia accuses Gorbachev of double standards

United Russia has blasted Mikhail Gorbachev for “joining the calls” of US Republican Senator John McCain and US Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul in their “aspiration to see a revolution” in Russia.

Opposition at odds over protest methods

Leftist leader Sergey Udaltsov has accused Yabloko party co-chairman of an attempt to split the opposition. Sergey Mitrokhin called protesters’ actions after the post-election rally a provocation.

Voters’ League blasts presidential poll as illegitimate

The freshly-founded public organization Voters’ League has refused to recognize the results of the March 4 presidential poll due to “numerous violations.” The authorities replied that the conclusion was predetermined and the issue should be closed.