Tens of thousands participate in pro-Putin rallies

RUSSIA: Tens of thousands of Vladimir Putin's supporters backed his bid for the presidency in rallies across Russia on Saturday, trying to outdo mass nationwide protests staged by his opponents.

At least 50,000 people attended rallies in European Russia, Siberia and the Far East supporting Putin's candidacy for a historic third Kremlin term in March 4 polls, AFP correspondents and police reports said.

Russians are taking to the streets with increasing regularity ahead of the election as the opposition and pro-Putin camp seek to outdo each other with competing rallies.

Brandishing slogans like "Yes to Changes! No to Revolution!" and "Putin -- We are with You for a Strong Russia!", at least 10,000 people attended a rally in the former imperial capital of Saint Petersburg "For me, Putin is stability. In these years I have personally lived better. I am given my pay on time. I have started to be proud of the country," Putin supporter Anatoly Stepanov, 42, told an AFP correspondent.

Participants were warmed in temperatures of minus eight degrees Celsius by hot tea and Russian pies sold for nominal prices. "Look at those who are against Putin, they are not the people," grumbled pensioner Anna Patrusheva, 58.

Moscow,Sunday, AFP