The United Russia party of Russian president Dmitry Medvedev and prime minister Vladimir Putin has suffered a major blow in the country's general election, losing a large part of its parliamentary majority. As counting progressed it was on course to win around 50 percent of the vote, down from 64 percent four years ago.
That would leave the party with a slim 13 seat majority, insufficient to push through changes to the constitution.It is a big seback for Putin's bid to reclaim the presidency in an election in March. The Communists were the main beneficiaries, on around 19 percent, up from 11 percent last time.
As counting neared completions this was how the other parties stood:
LDPR 11.66
JUST RUSSIA 13.17
YABLOKO 3.22
PATRIOTS 0.96
RIGHT CAUSE 0.59
Turnout was set to just over 60 percent.
SOURCE: Euronews
