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Putin Links Rivals to West
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Putin's second term in office ends in May and he is barred by the constitution from serving a third consecutive term.
[an error occurred while processing this directive]Opposition figures and independent analysts here contend that For Putin is a creation of the Kremlin and United Russia. The rally was attended by leading members of the party and festooned with its symbols.
Putin said nothing specific about his plans, only that the coming months will bring a "total renewal of the top leadership of the state."
"Friends, in the elections on December 2, the fate of the country will in a significant way be decided," Putin said. "Make sure you come and vote for United Russia.
"Whoever wins in December will also win in March," he added.
The arena where the president spoke was decorated with massive banners bearing slogans such as "Putin's Victory -- Russia's Victory" and "We believe in Russia. We believe in ourselves." The crowd of 5,000 was warmed up with Soviet-era songs such as "Volunteer Komsomol Members," an anthem-like song about the Soviet youth movement.
"Russia stands on the threshold of the restoration of Soviet-style single-party rule," said Grigory Yavlinsky, who heads the Yabloko liberal reformist party, speaking at a news conference Wednesday. Yavlinsky, like other party leaders, complained bitterly about his party's inability to get equal time on the broadcast media and to campaign freely.
