Russian Parliamentary elections - 'United Russia' forges ahead

According to the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, 60.2% of the Russian citizens took part at the elections to the State Duma (Lower House of the Parliament) of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on December 4, 2011. To receive a parliamentary mandate a political party had to get at least 5 percent of the vote and at least 7 percent - to form a faction.

The preliminary results show that the all-Russia political party "United Russia" gained 49.54% (30,386,360 votes), the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF) - 19.16%, the "Just Russia" party - 13.22%, the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) - 11.66%, the United Russia Democratic party 'Yabloko" - 3.3%, the "Patriots of Russia" - 0.97%, the "Right Cause" party - 0.59%.

The Secretary of the Russian Central Election Commission N.Konkin stated that the "United Russia" could expect to have 238 representatives in the State Duma, the CPRF - 92, the "Just Russia" party - 64, the LDPR - 56. The total number of the seats at the State Duma - 450.

After the elections, when the preliminary results were announced President of the Russian Federation Dmitry A. Medvedev, who headed the "United Russia"'s ticket at the polls, congratulated the leaders of the political parties that obtained enough votes to enter the new State Duma and expressed the hope for continued constructive cooperation with them. He reaffirmed that the "United Russia" is ready to form blocs and coalitions in the State Duma.

Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Vladimir V. Putin said that the party "United Russia" had done well at the elections. "226 votes are required to pass laws; the party "United Russia" is to get 238 seats - this enables us to work calmly and consistently, ensuring stability," - he said. "It will be no exaggeration to say that in recent years the "United Russia" has served as a significant foundation of our political stability so its successful showing in the elections is important not only for the government but for the country as a whole", - added Vladimir Putin.

The final official results of the elections are to be announced before December 19, 2011.