Russian speaker quits in bid to cool election fury

The decision appeared aimed at cooling public anger over an election opponents say was rigged in the ruling party's favour. Protests against the result have undermined Putin's authority ahead of a March vote in which he plans to return to the presidency.

“I decided today to reject my mandate as a deputy,” Gryzlov said in remarks posted on the party's website, adding that it would “not be right to hold the post of chairman of the chamber for more than two consecutive terms”.

As Duma speaker since 2003 and chairman of United Russia's Supreme Council, Gryzlov is a powerful symbol of a political system dominated by Putin and the party for more than a decade.

Voters expressed their frustration with that dominance by sharply reducing United Russia's parliamentary majority in the Dec. 4 vote. It will hold 238 seats when the 450-member Duma convenes on Dec. 21, down from the 315 it won in 2007 elections.

Opponents charge United Russia's official result - 49.3 percent of the vote - was inflated by fraud.

Claims of electoral violations spread via the Internet and tens of thousands of people protested in dozens of cities on Saturday, calling for a new election and chanting for a “Russia without Putin”.

Putin, president from 2000-2008, will seek a new six-year term in the Kremlin in a March 4 election.

Subscribe to The China Post and save 25%. Click here

PrintEmail

Write a Comment

Terms

Enter your comments - 3000 characters max

Type in image code

Submit

 Receive China Post promos
 Respond to this email