Vladimir Putin won Russia's presidential elections fairly and only a "narrow sector of Russian society" are protesting against him, according to his special representative.

Sergei Markov told the Today programme's John Humphrys that Putin's popularity before the election had decreased because a "lack of activity" and "tension between Dmitry Medvedev and Putin" which the Russian people did not like.

But Russian's liked and supported his "energetic campaign". Putin will now bring in promised political reforms which will allow the growing middle class to "express themselves", he said.

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