Latest regional elections biggest, most competitive yet - Matviyenko
MOSCOW. Sept 14 (Interfax) - Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko has said the regional elections held yesterday were competitive and open, which points to improvements in the institution of democratic elections in Russia.
"Those were the biggest and most competitive regional elections in the entire history. We have not seen so many parties taking part in local regional elections, in gubernatorial elections," she said at a Public Chamber plenary session on Monday.
Preliminary reports suggest there were no major complaints and grievances over the transparency and openness of these elections, Matviyenko said. "They were genuinely competitive and open. It goes to show that the institution of democratic elections in our country is improving and yielding results, bearing fruit," the speaker said.
As a result of the elections, United Russia has consolidated its positions in virtually every area, she also said. "It indicates the ruling party's growing role," Matviyenko said.