Pro-Putin party holds big lead in Russian elections

The biggest pro-Kremlin party pulled far ahead of its rivals in Russia’s parliamentary elections today, with partial preliminary results suggesting President Vladimir Putin can tighten his grip over the Duma ahead of his own likely re-election bid.

With 76.62% of the vote counted, United Russia – a party led by Cabinet ministers and packed with government bureaucrats – was ahead by 36.7%, almost three times more than its closest contender.