United Russia

United Russia (Yedinaya Rossiya, Russian ?????? ??????, the more correct translation is Unified Russia) is a political party in Russia, which usually labels itself centrist. It backs the president Vladimir Putin and can be seen as his vehicle in the Duma (the lower house of Russian parliament).

Related Topics:
Russian - Political party - Russia - Vladimir Putin - Duma

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It was founded in April 2001 as a merger of Yuri Luzhkov's, Yevgeny Primakov's and Mintimer Shaeymiev's Fatherland All-Russia party, and the Unity Party of Russia, led by Sergei Shoigu and Alexander Karelin.

Related Topics:
2001 - Yuri Luzhkov - Yevgeny Primakov - Mintimer Shaeymiev - Fatherland All-Russia - Unity Party of Russia - Sergei Shoigu - Alexander Karelin

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In the 2003 parliamentary elections it polled 37% of the party vote. As of January 2005 it controls 305 Duma seats out of 450, which gives it a constitutional majority. United Russia members also make up 88 out 178 delegates in the Federation Council of Russia (the upper house of parliament). In 2004 presidential election United Russia supported Vladimir Putin and contributed to his victory.

Related Topics:
2003 parliamentary elections - Federation Council of Russia

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A number of ministers in Putin's government as well as many regional governors and other senior government officials throughout Russia are members of United Russia.

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The current head of the United Russia is Duma speaker and former Interior Minister Boris Gryzlov elected as a party leader in November 2002.

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On its official website the party claims to have 935 000 members.

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