Vladimir Putin has gone on the defensive as he confronted for the first time the recent outburst of public discontent levelled at his 12-year rule. The prime minister dismissed critics’ calls for a rerun of Russia’s parliamentary elections.
Rejecting claims of vote rigging that drew tens of thousands of protesters on to the street, Mr Putin said this month’s parliamentary elections had reflected the “real breakdown of forces in the country”.
Looking rather more ill-at-ease than usual in his annual televised question- and-answer session yesterday, Mr Putin said he was “gladdened” so many people had taken to the streets, saying that he would not stay “even one day” in office if he felt he had lost the support of the people.
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