12 Dec 2011

Mass protests in Russia put Putin under pressure

Could Vladimir Putin lose next year's presidential election? The very question shows just how much Russia has changed in such a short space of time. Less than three months ago, Mr Putin looked in total control.

On 24 September, when the Russian prime minister announced his intention to run again for president, few Russians doubted he would win. The Kremlin's system of "managed democracy" had pushed opponents to the fringes of Russian politics; TV coverage of Putin was all positive; December's Duma elections were going to be little more than a distraction on the way to Mr Putin returning triumphantly to the Kremlin, possibly for the next 12 years.
Suddenly, Vladimir Putin is looking weaker than at any time in his political career.

More on BBC News