Putin enters party political fray

Russian President Vladimir Putin has for the first time thrown his weight publicly behind a political party, ahead of parliamentary elections in December.

Putin has generally stayed out of party politics

Mr Putin strongly endorsed Russia's leading pro-government party - United Russia - during a speech at its congress on Saturday.

The president has generally stayed out of party politics and avoided backing any group, saying party membership could harm his ability to represent all Russians.

But he told delegates at the United Russia conference: "I won't hide it: Four years ago I voted for your party, I must say that I don't regret that decision."

"I did it consciously as a sign of gratitude toward your deputies in the State Duma for their co-operation over the past four years," he said in remarks shown on NTV television.

United Russia and the Communist Party, now committed to human rights and the market, are running neck-and-neck at the top of pre-election polls, each holding just over 20% support.

Analysts say United Russia is assuming the role occupied by the Soviet-era Communist Party, since officials of all kinds now feel membership will advance their careers.

In 1999, United Russia, then known as Unity, rode Putin's popularity to a dominant place in the State Duma, the lower house.

It then teamed up with smaller centrist parties to push through the Kremlin's legislative agenda.

In 2001, the party merged with its former rival in the 1999 vote, Fatherland-All Russia, to become United Russia.

On Sunday, residents of Mr Putin's home city St Petersburg are voting for a new governor in what is being seen as a test of popularity for Mr Putin.

The president openly backed Valentina Matviyenko, his representative in north-western Russia, but the campaign has been controversial with rivals challenging her candidacy in court.