Putin supporters stage massive election rally
February 23rd, 2012 - 7:26 pm ICT by IANSMoscow, Feb 23 (IANS) Tens of thousands of supporters of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin staged a massive rally Thursday in downtown Moscow to show solidarity with the presidential candidate.
Putin supporters packed into a Moscow sports stadium in the well-organised display of support, 10 days ahead of a contentious presidential election, RIA Novosti reported.
The poll is widely expected to usher the Russian prime minister, who has already served two terms as president, back to the Kremlin.
About 120,000 people were expected to join the pro-Putin demonstration that started around 11. 30 a.m., Xinhua reported citing local media ahead of the rally organised by Putin’s election staff and his All-Russia People’s Front Movement.
Members of Putin’s United Russia party also participated in the rally.
The participants, meanwhile, marched along the Moscow River embankment to the Luzhniki Arena, as some of them carried flags and banners with slogans reading: “Who, if not Putin” and “Vote Stability, Vote Putin.”
Putin arrived at the Luzhniki Arena and addressed the crowd with the impassioned words of love to Russia.
“We are the defenders of the fatherland!” Putin said Thursday, which is Defender of the Fatherland Day in Russia.
Thursday’s pro-Putin gathering was the latest in a series of public demonstrations, unprecedented since the immediate aftermath of the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, by large crowds of both supporters and opponents of the Russian leader.
- Putin nominated for 2012 presidential polls - Nov 27, 2011
- US encouraging Russian opposition, says Putin - Dec 08, 2011
- Putin supporters hold rallies all over Russia - Feb 19, 2012
- Russians rally as Medvedev offers reforms - Feb 04, 2012
- Anti-Putin protests sweep across Russia - Dec 10, 2011
- Putin confirms Medvedev to be PM, given election win - Dec 02, 2011
- Putin returns to Kremlin amid protests (Lead) - May 07, 2012
- Pro-Kremlin groups to stage 26 rallies in Moscow - Mar 04, 2012
- Russian protests may turn into civil war: Billionaire - Jan 31, 2012
- Thousands protest in Moscow demanding fresh vote - Dec 25, 2011
- Pro-Kremlin 'response rally' draws 25,000 in Moscow - Dec 12, 2011
- Topless protester cuts down Cross in Ukraine - Aug 17, 2012
- Russian opposition to stage 'March of the Millions' - Mar 18, 2012
- Official fired for not sending people to pro-Putin rally - Feb 07, 2012
- Anger in Russia as Pussy Riot jailed - Aug 18, 2012
Tags: collapse of the soviet union, contentious presidential election, election rally, flags and banners, kremlin, local media, massive rally, moscow river, movement members, novosti, presidential candidate, public demonstrations, river embankment, russian leader, russian prime minister, slogans, solidarity, sports stadium, vladimir putin, xinhua