Russian PM promises more reform
From CNN Moscow Bureau Chief Jill Dougherty
 |
Story Tools
YOUR E-MAIL ALERTS
|
Follow the news that matters to you. Create your own alert to be notified on topics you're interested in.
Or, visit Popular Alerts for suggestions.
|
|
MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov the pro-Kremlin United Russia party's election success means the government will be able to "more resolutely carry out economic reform and take measures for modernizing the economy."
Opening a meeting of the Duma, the lower house of parliament, Kasyanov said the "transition period" was over and now the government will have a "considerably greater responsibility to prepare legislation for reforming the Russian economy."
The United Russia party, which supports President Vladimir Putin, won more than 37 percent of Sunday's vote, significantly cutting into support for the Communist Party and the so-called "liberals" on the political right -- the Union of Right Forces and Yabloko.
The Communist Party Wednesday leveled accusations of ballot stuffing, saying it eliminated the two parties on the right from representation in the Duma as party blocs.
Communist Party head Gennady Zyuganov called the vote a "scam" and demanded a recount of ballots by hand.
Separately, the Kremlin said U.S. President George W. Bush congratulated President Vladimir Putin on the "impressive results" of the parliamentary elections in a Wednesday telephone call.
Earlier in the week, the White House had echoed the concerns of international observers that the elections were "free but not fair." (Full story)
United Russia enjoyed overwhelming coverage in the government-controlled media.
