Moscow - The Russian President, Mr Vladimir Putin, went ahead yesterday with plans to shut out minor parties from the political system, sending a draft bill to parliament.
The bill could close as many as 90 per cent of registered parties, but would provide those that remain with state funds.
Mr Putin called it an important step in "the civilised construction of the political structures of society", Interfax reported. He won support from leaders of the main parliamentary parties for the measure on Tuesday.
Mr Putin says the bill would inject stability into Russia's sometimes fractious political life, but some critics allege the plan is a carve-up between the Kremlin and big parties in the 450-seat Duma, the lower house of parliament.