Dueling mass rallies held in Moscow
By the CNN Wire Staff
updated 7:38 AM EST, Sun February 5, 2012
Billionaire candidate Mikhail Prokhorov (C), the only independent allowed to run (C), protests in Moscow on February 4.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Pro- and anti-government rallies are held in Moscow
- Prime Minister Putin says parliamentary elections in December were fair
- Opponents claim the results were rigged
- Putin is running for president in March
(CNN) -- Braving bitter cold, Muscovites in favor of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and those convinced parliamentary election results were rigged took to the streets Saturday.
The dueling rallies were held about six weeks after the last major anti-government demonstrations.
Putin is seeking the presidency in the March elections and will represent his United Russia party.
The move is the latest step toward Putin's reclaiming the presidency after switching to the prime minister's office because of a law barring him from serving more than two consecutive terms as president.
Russia's third-richest man, billionaire New Jersey Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov, is running against him.
Joining tens of thousands of marchers, Prokhorov told CNN Saturday the protesters "are my potential voters. And I will do my best to help them to live in an open, competitive Russia."
The state-run Ria Novosti news agency, quoting police figures, said the opposition rally in Moscow gathered 33,000 participants, while the pro-government event was attended by 150,000. But anti-Putin organizers said their numbers were close to 160,000.
The anti-Putin faction, calling for free and fair elections, carried banners, ribbons and signs. Among them was one depicting a rat with the message "Put in Trash."
A pro-Putin rally in Ekaterinburg featured music and a wood-burning stove to help marchers deal with the subzero temperatures
Putin has brushed off widespread criticism that the December 4 parliamentary elections in Russia were falsified.
He said their results "reflect the actual lineup of forces in the country, as well as the fact that the ruling force -- the United Russia party -- has lost certain positions."
The results caused mass protests in December.
At that time, President Dmitry Medvedev announced sweeping political reforms, an effort to address discontent.
Speaking before the newly elected parliament members in the Kremlin's St. George Hall, Medvedev proposed that Russia return to direct elections of regional governors; simplify the registration of political parties and presidential candidates; and establish a new editorially independent national public TV channel.
Medvedev also called for lifting many of the political restrictions imposed in the past several years by Putin.
CNN's Phil Black contributed to this report.
Part of complete coverage on
updated 7:50 PM EDT, Wed May 30, 2012
It's an outside-the-box solution, says Clyde Prestowitz, but the German government can save Greece by reissuing its beloved deutsche mark.
updated 5:33 AM EDT, Wed May 30, 2012
Images of slaughter in the Syrian town of Houla provoked outrage around the world, but sometimes outrage isn't enough to spur action, says Tim Lister.
updated 3:56 PM EDT, Wed May 30, 2012
Alleged poison attacks against students in Afghanistan show the fragility of the country's transition, says Gayle Lemmon.
updated 5:27 AM EDT, Wed May 30, 2012
Airport dining doesn't have to be terminal, as a new wave of eateries elevates cuisine above the level of greasy burgers and wilting sushi.
updated 7:10 PM EDT, Wed May 30, 2012
Andrew Keen says our self esteem is determined by our use of social media -- so let's embrace tech which lets data degenerate over time.
updated 7:27 AM EDT, Thu May 31, 2012
Republican Graham Smith argues why the UK monarchy should be consigned to the history books.
CNN's Richard Quest rails against the censorious ratings warnings placed on inflight movies.
updated 12:06 PM EDT, Wed May 30, 2012
Queen Elizabeth was criticized for being aloof after Princess Diana's death in 1997. But one royal insider says that wasn't the case.
updated 5:45 AM EDT, Wed May 30, 2012
Businessman Christian Stadil believes firms must care about more than money and that corporate social responsibility helps attract talented workers.
updated 11:08 AM EDT, Thu May 31, 2012
It's hard being a female busineswoman in a country where women need permission to work or travel. But some try.
updated 3:31 AM EDT, Mon May 28, 2012
How law enforcement agencies are readying themselves for this month's Euro 2012 soccer tournament.
updated 8:53 AM EDT, Thu May 31, 2012
Adoptions from Africa have surged three-fold in eight years -- but campaigners fear that children from the continent are becoming commodities.
updated 7:17 AM EDT, Thu May 31, 2012
He's been running all his life, running for freedom, running for peace. Now Reza Baluchi is heading for Mt. Everest by running across the Middle East.
updated 7:13 AM EDT, Tue May 29, 2012
An old meatpacking plant in Chicago is being transformed into an eco farm, which its founders say will produce food sustainably with zero waste.
Most popular stories right now
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
|