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Putin says post-election protests are nothing unusual
Dec 31, 2011, 14:54 GMT
Moscow - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said in a New Year's message on Saturday that the mass protests against his rule after a disputed parliamentary election this month were 'nothing unusual.'
'This is the price of democracy. There is nothing unusual here,' Putin said.
Huge demonstrations were held in Moscow and other cities to denounce Putin's domination of Russian politics after the opposition complained of mass fraud by the ruling United Russia party during a December 4 parliamentary vote.
United Russia's majority in parliament shrank after the vote. However, Putin is expected to return to the presidency in a March 4 vote.
'Irrespective of political affiliations: I wish well-being and prosperity to all who are sympathetic to left forces, those who are on the right side, above, below and anywhere,' Putin said, in a clear reference to his political opponents.
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