Putin campaign website attracts calls for resignation

12/01/12 16:13 CET

world news

| |

The most popular comments on Vladimir Putin’s presidential campaign website are ones calling for him to quit politics.

Just three hours after launching, the top three remarks ask the Russian prime minister to resign and withdraw his candidacy for president.

However, another comment in the top five praised the prime minister, wishing him luck in the March election and calling him ‘the best person in the world’.

According to recent polls, Putin’s popularity has fallen sharply and it is not guaranteed he will win the poll in the first round.

Dissatisfaction with the parliamentary elections in December, after allegations of fraud, led to the biggest public protests in 20 years the same month.

Putin’s United Russia party has already seen its share of the vote fall to under 50 percent, and there is growing dissent against the former KGB agent’s plan to serve a third term in the top job.

More about: Internet, Presidential elections, Prime Minister, Russian politics, Vladimir Putin

| |

Qatar mall fire kills 19 people

A fire at an upmarket shopping centre in Doha, Qatar, on Monday killed at least 19 people, including 13 children. Four teachers and two firefighters were also amongst the dead, according to the Gulf state’s interior ministry. The fire broke out at the Villagio Mall in…