Elizabeth Zolotukhina: Russia’s recent local elections have sprung up further accusations of electoral fraud. In order to truly gain a place at the top of world politics Medvedev and Putin must realize that democracy has to come first. Not until this happens will the Kremlin gain the international respect it craves.
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United Russia’s electoral setback looks much worse considering that even vote suppression and neutered opposition parties could not prevent this result. ++ The writing was on the wall; United Russia was trounced in regional elections in March and Putin’s approval rating continues to fall. ++ Putin can no longer claim popular legitimacy to deflect criticism. ++ If Putin is not inclined
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