Russia's ruling party said today its strong showing in weekend elections proved its anti-crisis measures were working but opponents dismissed the results as proof of the country's rigged political system.
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's United Russia was confirmed as the strongest party in just about every poll, retaining power in key locations, including elections in Moscow, the most populous and affluent region.
Two months ago President Dmitry Medvedev said "new democratic times are beginning" in Russia and promised to break the near-monopoly of the United Russia party.
Russia has been badly hit by the economic crisis, with GDP set to contract by over 8.5 per cent this year and the number of unemployed nearly 50 per cent higher than a year ago, exposing the country's dependence on energy exports for revenue.
Just three opposition candidates, all from the Communist Party, were set to enter Moscow's 52-seat parliament, with all other seats going to United Russia, based on preliminary results giving it 66 per cent of the vote.
Regional, mayoral and district polls were held in 76 of Russia's 83 regions, comprising 30 million voters. Results were still being confirmed today but all showed the same pattern.
The victory in Moscow for United Russia was seen by party chairman Boris Gryzlov as a vote of confidence in government policies. Mr Putin nominally leads the party with Mr Gryzlov acting as its main spokesman. It is also supported by Mr Medvedev.
“Taking account that elections in the capital are practically federal ones ... we can state that in the crisis situation voters have demonstrated they stay together with the ruling party," he said in quotes reported on the party’s website.
Opposition group Solidarity said it was planning a protest in Moscow later today at results it said were less credible in the capital than those from turbulent Chechnya and urged Mr Medvedev to stand by his comments backing more democracy.
"There's a big doubt if he's really able to do anything. It's a real challenge to Mr Medvedev, he has to react," said Denis Bilunov, one of the Solidarity group's leaders.
Independent poll watchdog Golos backed opposition criticism of ballot stuffing and voter intimidation.