Moscow City Duma Elections: Major Loss for Ruling Party

(Patria) – The ruling United Russia Party suffered a major loss in the Moscow City Duma elections held on Sunday.

The party lost nearly a third of its seats in the 45-seat parliament, but has a chance to retain a majority with around 26 seats.

Most opposition candidates were disqualified, which triggered mass protests in the city; thousands were detained, and police used force in an attempt to suppress the protests, agencies report.

Communists, independents, and others won new seats in the elections, which had a turnout of only 22%.

It is estimated that the Communist Party will win 13 seats in the city parliament, while the liberal Yabloko party and the left-oriented A Just Russia will each get 3 seats.