Putin rejects calls to rerun ‘tainted’ election

Mr Putin’s United Russia party barely retained its majority in the December 4 election despite alleged vote-rigging in its favour. Tens of thousands have protested since, urging an end to his rule, including a Moscow rally last weekend that was the largest show of discontent since the Soviet collapse 20 years ago.

Mr Putin, who served as president in 2000-2008 and remained the country’s most powerful figure after switching to the premier’s seat due to a term limit, has responded to the protests by offering to ease his rigid controls over the political field. At the same time, he has sought to cast protesters as Western stooges working to weaken Russia.

During a meeting with supporters yesterday he dismissed the opposition as lacking a goal beyond causing turmoil, accused its leaders of trying to delegitimise elections and said they had not proven their worth.

“The problem is they lack a consolidated programme, as well as clear and comprehensible ways of achieving their goals, which aren’t clear either,” said Mr Putin, who became prime minister after term limits forced him to leave the presidency. “They also lack people who are capable of doing something concrete.”

As far as the fraud-tainted parliamentary election – “there can’t be any talk about reviewing it”, Mr Putin said.

Mr Putin again flatly rejected the demands for a rerun of the parliamentary vote, saying that “there can’t be any talk about reviewing it.”

However, he urged his supporters to ensure fairness of the presidential vote to prevent any possible criticism, and discussed details of his proposal to put web cameras at all polling stations. He also suggested that all ballot boxes be made transparent.

“As a candidate, I don’t need any vote-rigging,” Mr Putin said. “I want the election to be maximally transparent. I want to rely on people’s will.”