United Russia, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s governing party, barely clung to a 50 percent majority following steep losses in Sunday’s parliamentary elections. The remaining parliament seats were divided between three parties, the Communist Party, the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party and social democratic party Just Russia. Critics of the government on social networking sites warned of campaign abuses as United Russia’s tally edged upward, which then prompted cyber attacks in an attempt to silence them.
The election signified a clear rebuke towards the current government, in place for more than a decade. It is unclear how this will affect Putin’s decision to run for president. If elected, Putin could serve one six-year term, or possibly two terms.
