Dmitry Medvedev, in the wake of protests by thousands of Russians, announced over the weekend that the results of the Dec. 4 parliamentary elections would be recounted. But the election, which many western observers pronounced as fraudulent, also may be the reason that Vladimir Putin will face a new and stronger challenger in the upcoming presidential election. A week of protests in Russia have forced President Dmitry Medvedev to agree to a review of bitterly contested parliamentary elections.
Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Moscow over the weekend in protests and on Sunday, Medvedev agreed to investigate perceived improprieties in the elections. Monitors from the European Union and United States described irregularities including ballot box stuffing.
Medvedev made his announcement on Facebook, saying there would be investigations into allegations of voter fraud.
He had no other choice because he has brought everything to extremes. If he didn’t make a decision to do it, trust in him would have absolutely fallen, which it practically already has. I’d say in many cities, people don’t trust him at all. All of whom I talk to and know,” said one demonstrator as he stood on relatively quiet streets in Russia Sunday night.
Full Article: Russian President Medvedev announces limited recount of contested Duma elections | PRI.ORG.