Kremlin parties lead in regional elections

MOSCOW, March 12 (UPI) -- At least 10 of 14 weekend regional elections in Russia were dominated by the pro-Kremlin United Russia party, the Moscow Times reported Monday.

The newspaper said a new party, A Just Russia, was running second while the Communist and Liberal Democratic Party were in third and fourth places respectively.

While about 31 million people were eligible to vote, election officials said turnout was 37 percent.

One new development in the Moscow, Leningrad and Dagestan, voters did not have the option of voting for candidates but rather could only vote for parties, the report said.

The newspaper said the United Russia party was cast as a center-right party, while the new A Just Russia party presented itself as a center-left option.

"The reality is that both parties appear to support the policies of President Vladimir Putin," the Times said.