Russia's Liberals, Communists Hold Protest Rally Against Putin's Reform

[Tab]

Over 200 people gathered near Red Square in Moscow to protest President Putin's initiative to abolish gubernatorial elections in Russia, the Interfax news agency reported on Friday.

The rally was organized by the Communist Party, the liberal Yabloko party, Irina Khakamada's party, the For a Dignified Life movement led by the State Duma deputy Vladimir Ryzhkov, the Committee 2008  Free Choice and the New Rightists party.

The rally is being held on the same day the lower house of the Russian parliament is considering the bill proposed by the president to abolish the popular elections of leaders in Russia's regions. If the bill passes into law, candidates for governors and mayors will be proposed by the president and approved by regional legislatures. Liberals and communists see the new political initiative as a serious threat to democracy in the country.
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MP Sergei Glazyev said that if the State Duma approves the bill, there will be no politician left in Russia who is elected by the people. He suggested a referendum be held under the slogan "For a Dignified Life".
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