Putin Signs Law Likely to Strengthen His Hand in Russia
(Worthy News) – Russian President Vladimir Putin set the date for early parliamentary elections in September next year as his country slides into its first recession since 2009.
Putin signed a law moving the State Duma vote from Dec. 4 to Sept. 18, 2016, after the two houses of parliament approved the change earlier this month. The move is intended to help pro-Putin parties against Kremlin opponents because it would be preceded by a low-key campaign over the summer, when many Russians are on vacation, according to opposition activists.
The Kremlin said last month that experts will also study an idea floated by former Finance Minister Alexey Kudrin, a Putin ally, of calling early presidential elections, a move that could give the Russian leader a fresh term while opinion polls show his public-approval rating at a record high of almost 90 percent. [ Source ]