Russia's President Vladimir Putin waves after casting his ballot at a polling station in Moscow, December 2, 2007.
Photo: Reuters
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Putin Thanks Nation for Confidence Mandate
“I would like to thank all citizens of the RF, all electors for their high activity,” the president told reporters, emphasizing that he is particularly grateful to those who casted ballots for United Russia. “I headed the slate of this party and it is naturally the sign of confidence.”
Before the elections to Russia’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma, Putin had always reiterated that he had viewed them as a mandate of confidence. And the president obviously passed the test. United Russia was backed by over 64 percent at elections that enjoyed the turnout of over 60 percent. The nearest challenger of United Russia, Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF) followed with less than 11 percent.
“For United Russia, it is certainly not only the evaluation of what has been done but rather expectations of voters, whereby the United Russia must work more constructively to tackle social issues of the nation related to salaries, pensions, allowances, demographic problems, problems in science and education,” Putin pointed out.
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