Dmitry Medvedev, Russia’s president, has ordered the government to look into allegations of fraud in last weekend’s regional elections, which were won overwhelmingly by United Russia, the party headed by his former mentor Vladimir Putin, the prime minister.

The step illustrates how political daylight could be opening between the president and Mr Putin, and could fuel further speculation that Mr Medvedev may be building bridges to opposition political parties as a way to create an independent political base.