In western Moscow, Putin allies lose an election but cling to power
Source: Reuters
#WORLD NEWS NOVEMBER 24, 2017 / 5:07 AM / UPDATED 3 HOURS AGO
In western Moscow, Putin allies lose an election but cling to power
Maria Tsvetkova
5 MIN READ
MOSCOW (Reuters) - More than 10 weeks after losing a local council election in western Moscow, Vladimir Putins party is clinging to power there - by fair means or foul.
The standoff over control of Filyovsky Park Council came to a head when opposition councilor Vadim Korovin tried to sit in the chairmans seat at a meeting on Tuesday. A councilor from the Russian presidents United Russia cut his microphone cable and then body-checked him as he tried to reach the seat.
This is a violent occupation and seizure of power! Korovin protested to the United Russia representative, Dmitry Prokhorov, who pushed him from his way as a policeman stepped in to prevent a fight.
All four United Russia members on the council then walked out. Soon afterwards the electricity in the building, and all the lights, went off.
Using flashlights of mobile phones to see, the six opposition members of the 10-seat council continued the meeting. They elected Korovin as deputy chairman and, in effect, caretaker leader, but the United Russia members later refused to recognize the vote.
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Read more:
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-election-moscow/in-western-moscow-putin-allies-lose-an-election-but-cling-to-power-idUSKBN1DO108