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Putin urges nation to vote for his United Russia party

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President Vladimir Putin called on the country's electorate on Thursday to vote for the United Russia party at the December 2 parliamentary elections.
MOSCOW, November 28 (RIA Novosti) - President Vladimir Putin called on the country's electorate on Thursday to vote for the United Russia party at the December 2 parliamentary elections.

"I hope for and believe in your support," Putin said in a televised address broadcast on state-run Channel 1.

Putin, who tops the ruling United Russia's candidate list for the elections to the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, has been criticized for using his position to promote the party.

He said voting for his party was crucial for preserving the brisk economic growth and the country's reemergence on the world stage.

Putin also warned that those who implemented the disastrous reforms in the 1990s, which brought fortunes to a handful of Kremlin-connected "oligarchs" and impoverished millions of people, must not be allowed back to power.

"Remember what we had eight years ago, the pit from which we had to drag our country. If we want to live decent lives, we must not allow those who once unsuccessfully tried to rule the country to return to power."

"Now they want to alter Russia's development course supported by the nation, to turn its plans into empty talk, and bring back the time of humiliation, dependence and disintegration," Putin said.

Putin also said the country should strengthen its defense capability and national security: "We must strengthen Russia's defense capability and security, and improve the country's image in the world."

Putin, who has continued to enjoy high popularity ratings, has repeatedly said he will not amend legislation to stay in power for a third consecutive term. But Kremlin officials have said he will remain a "national leader" after leaving office, although there has been no official clarification as to what exactly this might entail.

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