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Putin's party hangs on, faces vote fraud charges

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's party saw its majority in Russia's parliament weaken sharply, according to preliminary election results released Monday, a humiliating setback for the man who has steadily tightened his grip on the nation

(AP) Moscow -- Some opposition politicians and election monitors said even a result of around 50 percent for Putin's United Russia party was inflated because of vote fraud. Their claims were backed by European election observers, who pointed to procedural violations and serious indications of ballot stuffing after a campaign slanted in favor of United Russia.

"To me, this election was like a game in which only some players are allowed to compete," Heidi Tagliavini, the head of the European mission, said at a news conference.

United Russia is still expected to retain its majority in the lower house and Putin is all but certain to win next March's presidential election, but Sunday's vote badly dented his carefully groomed image. It reflected a strong public frustration with the lack of political competition, ubiquitous official corruption and the gap between rich and poor.

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Italy

Polish Paranoia In Naples

Our Naples-based psychiatrist tries to relieve a patient of his anxiety over a very specific delusion of persecution.

Photograph of a man on a call whilst sitting on his orange motorcycle in the side of a Neapolitan street

A man takes a call whilst sitting on his motorcycle in Naples.

Ciro Pipoli/Instagram
Mariateresa Fichele

"Dottoré, I'm being followed by the Polish! They don't understand that when I'm out, I'm dizzy with my medication, they'll end up running me over!"

"The Polish? Francé, where have you ever seen Polish people in Naples — and on top of that, why would they be following you?"

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