BREAKING NEWS

Russian upper house backs 'compromise' party bill

By REUTERS

MARCH 28, 2012 20:11

OSCOW - Legislation that will change Russia's political landscape moved a step closer to reality on Wednesday when the Kremlin-controlled upper house of parliament approved a bill making it easier to register parties.

A concession to long-marginalized politicians who in recent months led the biggest opposition protests in Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's 12-year rule, the bill will enable many more parties to contest elections.

It is one of the few concrete gains for protesters, who failed to prevent Putin from winning a six-year presidential term in a March 4 vote or to force the rerun of a December parliamentary election they said was marred by fraud.

But analysts say Putin, who tightened Kremlin control over electoral politics during his 2000-08 presidency, will seek to ensure no serious challenge emerges from a proliferation of parties.

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