President Dmitry Medvedev said on Thursday the protests that followed the December 4 parliamentary elections were evidence of the development of Russia's democracy.
“People are changing and becoming more proactive in expressing their positions and making new demands to the authorities – this is a good sign. It means our democracy is becoming more mature,” Medvedev said in his final state-of-the-nation address before he steps down next year.
“Russia needs a democracy, not chaos,” he added.
The parliamentary polls saw allegations of mass electoral fraud in favor of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's United Russia party and triggered the largest anti-government protests for some two decades. Medvedev has said the allegations need to be investigated.
