Russian presidential election The regime of President Vladimir Putin is preparing to use forthcoming parliamentary elections to “usurp” power and return the country to de facto one-party rule, according to a former Russian prime minister.
Mikhail Kasyanov, premier for four years before Mr Putin sacked him in 2004 and now an opposition presidential hopeful, said the elections could not be democratic, as new rules had made it impossible for parties not approved by the Kremlin to participate.
