Vladimir Kara Murza
The Kremlin has no qualms about contradicting itself and making public U-turns when this suits its interests. In 2004, Vladimir Putin abolished individual single-member districts in parliamentary elections in order to purge the Duma of the few remaining opposition-minded legislators—only to bring the old system back when the situation changed. With public support for the ruling United Russia party falling, the regime now pins its hopes for keeping its parliamentary majority on “independent” pro-Kremlin deputies.
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