30,000 protesters expected in anti-Putin rally in Moscow

In a country which is not normally associated with mass protests and manifestations, a widespread wave of anger has spread all over the vast country and will definitely test the hold on power of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and his ruling party.

The main manifestation will be a massive rally in Moscow, where more than 30,000 people are expected to attend. But similar protests attracting thousands of angered Russians took place in other cities in Siberia and other regions.

Protest organisers have called for demonstrations in more than 70 cities, in what is the largest public show of discontent in post-Soviet Russia. Protesters are alleging that last week's elections were rigged in favour of Vladimir Putin's ruling party, United Russia.

The protesters are angered by reports of irregularities and fraud in the 4 December 2011 elections. United Russia won the majority of votes, obtaining 49.5% of the vote. This was a big blow to Putin's party as it previously held an overwhelming two-thirds majority.

The result was a significant blow for the party that has dominated Russian politics for the last 15 years. Opposition parties and protesters claim that though United Russia's share of the vote was cut by 20% when compared to the previous election, the result was inflated by ballot-box stuffing.

Following the first signs of unrest earlier this week Putin accused the United States of instigating protests against the results of Russia's parliamentary elections.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton fell under particular focus for Putin who said she was the trigger for opposition activists and had given them a "signal" which made them start "active work".

Putin's warnings seem to have fallen on deaf ears as protests did not cease and opposition parties and protest organisers are confident that Russians will not be discouraged from taking to the streets.

Opposition leaders indicated that the next step would be to call another protest in Moscow for next weekend, with the aim of making it even bigger. The opposition is in a vulnerable position as it is prone to attacks on websites and social media that have nourished the protests.