Topic: United Russia Party

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Defying Putin: 7 Russians to watch

Vladimir Putin's "managed democracy" offers few opportunities for new leaders to emerge, build their own independent political base, and legitimately vie for power. That closed and controlled system is now teetering after tens of thousands of Russians marched in the streets of Russian cities in December to reject Mr. Putin's penchant for bureaucratic manipulation, media control, and vote-rigging. Fresh leaders are emerging without the Kremlin's approval and finding their voices. The following are seven to watch in coming months.
12/29/2011 01:34 pm

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As election nears, popular opposition leader arrested in Russia

The Kremlin says Yaroslavl Mayor Yevgeny Urlashov solicited a massive bribe. He says he's being targeted for his anti-establishment views.
Terrorism & Security I spy, you spy: Russian officials downplay Fogle incident

Russian officials are avoiding inflammatory language as they talk about the case of Ryan Fogle, a US diplomat suspected of being a CIA agent.
Global News Blog 'Puppet-master' Putin advisor is shown the Kremlin door

Vladislav Surkov was once one of the president's most influential and deft advisers. His forced resignation suggests the Kremlin may be pursuing blunter ways of manipulating the political landscape.
Russia aims to set stern example with NGO prosecution

An election monitoring group has become the first to be charged under a law passed last year that requires nongovernmental organizations to register as 'foreign agents' or face punitive measures.
Report leaked by Putin ally says ruling party actually lost in 2011

Leaks about the report, which says the Communists won the 2011 parliamentary elections, suggest a power struggle could be going on among Russia's elite - and perhaps involving Putin.
In blow to inquest, key suspect in Russian spy murder refuses to cooperate

Andrei Lugovoi, who is now an elected official in Russia, says he won't talk even by video to British investigators about the poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko in London just over six years ago.
What's in a name? Russian city mulls returning to its Stalinist moniker.

Volgograd will temporarily revert to its former name, Stalingrad, in commemoration of its WWII Soviet victory. But some see it as a Trojan horse for glorification of Stalinist times.
Is Russia backing off its anti-US adoption ban?

A Putin spokesman said today that the ban on adoption of Russian orphans by Americans will not kick in until 2014. Is Putin just abiding by treaty requirements, or is he softening?
Russian NGOs say new law makes them look like spies (+video)

The majority of Russian NGOs with outside funding sources have given notice that they will not submit to the law and some are bracing for a legal battle to protect their existence.
Putin's United Russia dominates regional elections

Russian President Vladimir Putin's party took nearly every regional seat in Sunday's elections, but most analysts say that the results were probably an accurate reflection of public sentiment.
Focus Vladimir Putin 2.0: A harder, eastward-looking presidency

Vladimir Putin, once again in the Kremlin's top post, faces a far more divided Russia than he did during his first stint, and he's taking a more authoritarian line to match.
Will Georgia see a peaceful transfer of power? (+video)

As Georgia's President Mikheil Saakashvili conceded defeat Tuesday, Russia's Dmitry Medvedev expressed hopes for improved relations between the two countries. The U.S. State Department also views Saakashvili's concession in a positive light.
Russian Duma expels anti-Putin lawmaker. Sign of a coming crackdown?

Russia's legislative body ousted dissident lawmaker Gennady Gudkov today, just a day before thousands of Russians are expected to take to the streets to protest against Vladimir Putin's rule.
Global News Blog Russia's Medvedev plays 'good cop' on Pussy Riot

Russia's Dmitri Medvedev called for the release of three Pussy Riot members sentenced to two years in prison. Is he trying to distance himself from the decreasingly popular president?
Russian crackdown on dissent goes virtual

In its most recent attempt to quell dissent, Russia adopted a new Internet bill that appears aimed at restricting public debate.
KGB vs. KGB: Putin's crackdown extends to old comrades

Arrests and intimidation of political opponents of Russian President Vladimir Putin have been on the upswing recently, extending even to a former KGB comrade of the Russian leader.
Modern city rises up out of Siberia's oil-rich peat bogs

The 'national district' of Khanti-Mansiysk, located in remote western Siberia, illustrates an ambitious effort by the Kremlin to modernize Soviet-era outposts, often with local oil revenue.
Russian parliament passes bill boosting fines for protesters 150-fold

Russians taking part in unsanctioned rallies will now face a fine of $9,000. The bill is seen as a response to recent antigovernment protests.
Russian activists sound alarm at soaring fines for civil 'disorder'

The Russian parliament is rushing through a bill that will impose large fines for a wide range of protests. Activists say the hikes amount to financial intimidation to chill the protest movement.
Cover Story Putin inauguration: World view of a Russian feeling dissed

As the second presidential inauguration of Vladimir Putin approaches, a former correspondent who once worked for him looks at the world view of the Russian iron man. His theory: The president is feeling dissed by the West and believes it conspires to "destroy" Russia.
Opinion A weakened Putin is questioned abroad, under siege at home

Russia's President-elect Vladimir Putin may have won the presidential election, but he lost Moscow. And he faces an engaged, active generation that did not grow up as Soviets. Political legitimacy is more than an official election result; it requires trust.
Opinion Putin election victory doesn't pave an easy path through his third presidential term

Beyond mass protests in Moscow against what observers have confirmed as a fraudulent presidential election, several key demographic and economic factors mean that Russians will continue to contest the legitimacy of Putin's presidency during his third term.
Opinion Russian elections: US and Europe must rethink the 'reset'

Vladimir Putin, who seems set to return to the presidency after Russian elections Sunday, looks to be tossing aside the reset in relations with the US and Europe. Were the West to continue to embrace the Kremlin, it would alienate Russians, especially reformers.
Russian TV station faces probe over coverage of opposition rallies

Dozhd's editor-in-chief Nataliya Sindeyeva posted a copy of the prosecutors' letter, which says the probe is conducted on a request by a lawmaker from Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's United Russia party.
Opinion Russian protests – echoes of US civil rights movement

To see the December protests in Russia as primarily a political wave is to miss a more fundamental leaven at work in Russian society: a moral awakening akin to the American civil rights movement. An early test is Saturday, when a massive protest in Moscow is planned.