Erstellt am: 5. 12. 2011 - 15:30 Uhr

Putin losing grip on power?

Reality Check: Election losses for Putin's United Russia, France-Germany finance meeting, UN Climate Conference, Nigeria anti-gay laws, "meine Abgeordnete"

25 years ago, the idea of free elections in Russia (which was then one part of the Soviet Union) were unthinkable. Everything was controlled by the Communist Party, and any voting that did happen had a highly predictable outcome. Since 2000, Vladimir Putin's hold on power seemed to be almost as secure and inevitable, albeit with wide popular support.

Criticisms of a lack of democracy did not really resonate with most Russians who, after the instability of the breakup of the Soviet Union, were delighted to have a leader who had set the economy on a steady track, put food in the shops and jobs that were regularly paid. My own friends in Russia were rather bemused at the West's obsession with democracy and Russia's lack of it. "Why would we want to change leaders all the time? It would just destabilise things." they argued. "Mr Putin is doing the job we want him to do - we'll vote for him again next time."

Now, it seems, the honeymoon is finally over. In Sunday's elections, Putin saw what had been a two-thirds majority for his United Russia party plummet to just narrowly scraping the 50% needed to hold an absolute majority.

Our Moscow correspondent, Charles Maynes, says this means the end of effectively one party rule. United Russia will now start needing support from opposition parties - and the spread of those is very interesting. All the opposition parties picked up votes lost by United Russia - with substantial gains for the Communists - who came in second, nearly doubling their share of the vote from last time.

So does that mean people are starting to get nostalgic for the past? Possibly, but with the other two contenders being "A Just Russia", (which is officially independent, but for a long time was considered very much under Kremlin influence), and the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (led by Vladimir Zhirinovsky - he's the one who promised everyone free vodka and free underwear if elected) perhaps they just think the Communist Party is the only credible alternative.

Either way, Russia now seems to be approaching a change in the balance of power, and Putin's planned bid to resume the Presidency may not necessarily go as he's expecting. However, as Charles Maynes says - at present there are no other viable contenders in sight - so Putin's rule could yet go on and on.

"Merkozy" meeting in Paris

German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, and French President, Nicholas Sarkozy are meeting today in Paris to discuss tougher financial controls in Europe. Economist Zdenek Kudrna analyses what measures are needed, and whether and "Merkozy" generated deal could stabilising the Euro and maybe save the EU.

UN Climate Change Conference

As ministers start arriving in South Africa for the second week of the UN Climate Change Conference, our correspondent, Nadja Hahn, reports from Durban on the challenges facing the meeting.

Nigeria set to pass severe anti-gay laws

Nigeria seems close to passing radical anti-gay legislation that appears to be unconstitutional. Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, talks to Gennie Johnson about the new laws and their significance.

Meine Abgeordneten

The political transparency website, meineabgeordneten.at has been online for a month. We look at how it has been received and what it has achieved.

FM4 Reality Check

Monday to Friday from 12.00 to 14.00, and after the show via Podcast or fm4.orf.at/realitycheck.