Free Republic

MOSCOW - Allies of President Vladimir Putin won a sweeping victory in parliamentary elections, but human rights officials condemned the vote Monday as short of international legal requirements and a retreat from Russia's democratic reforms. With more than 98 percent of the vote counted, United Russia — a pro-Putin party led by Cabinet ministers — won 37.1 percent, leaving its rivals far behind, Central Election Commission Chairman Alexander Veshnyakov said at a news conference. The Communists were next, with 12.7 percent, followed by the party of flamboyant nationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky — the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia — at 11.6...