Putin's Party Walloped in Russian Vote

Vladimir Putin's grand plans to be Russia's next president may have hit a snag: The PM's United Russia party suffered a major setback in parliamentary elections held today, reports Reuters, securing only 48.5% of the vote amid allegations of widespread voter fraud. That marks a significant drop from the 64.3% it secured in 2007, and according to one poll, could mean United Russia loses its majority in the State Duma. That projection shows the party having won 220 of 450 seats. "United Russia has lost touch with reality," said one voter.

Meanwhile, the complaints of irregularities: "Massive cyber attacks are taking place on the sites of Golos and the map showing violations," tweeted the Golos watchdog. "I believe that nobody but government structures and the FSB (Security service) is capable of conducting such a campaign," said Golos' executive director. (More Vladimir Putin stories.)