Russia's enfeebled pro-Western democrats subjected themselves to a make-or-break test yesterday, taking on the might of President Vladimir Putin's party in local Moscow elections. The elections, which will see 35 candidates chosen to fill the capital's city Duma (parliament), are seen as a dress rehearsal for national parliamentary elections in 2007 and, indeed, presidential elections in 2008. Yabloko, Russia's oldest democratic party, joined forces with another opposition party called the Union of Right Forces or SPS in an attempt to make an impact and try to put the liberal opposition on the political map. Ranged against them, however, is the mighty United Russia, Mr Putin's party that controls the national parliament. United Russia is expected to win a majority easily and, ahead of the vote, the capital was festooned with their banners.
The elections, which will see 35 candidates chosen to fill the capital's city Duma (parliament), are seen as a dress rehearsal for national parliamentary elections in 2007 and, indeed, presidential elections in 2008.
Yabloko, Russia's oldest democratic party, joined forces with another opposition party called the Union of Right Forces or SPS in an attempt to make an impact and try to put the liberal opposition on the political map.
Ranged against them, however, is the mighty United Russia, Mr Putin's party that controls the national parliament. United Russia is expected to win a majority easily and, ahead of the vote, the capital was festooned with their banners.
A pro-Kremlin party is leading the way in Moscow's city council elections, according to early results. United Russia has won 46% of the vote, with Communists and a united liberal bloc trailing it with 17% and 11% respectively, electoral officials say. Even before Sunday's poll, the party had been tipped to have a majority in the new 35-seat Moscow City Duma. The vote is seen as a dress rehearsal for Russia's parliamentary poll in 2007 and presidential elections in 2008. The vote was also closely watched to see how strong a challenge the liberal opposition could mount.
Even before Sunday's poll, the party had been tipped to have a majority in the new 35-seat Moscow City Duma.
The vote is seen as a dress rehearsal for Russia's parliamentary poll in 2007 and presidential elections in 2008.
The vote was also closely watched to see how strong a challenge the liberal opposition could mount.
