Russian opposition parties expressed satisfaction...

Elections to local authorities were held on Sunday in 76 out of 83 regions from the Far East to European Russia amid rising unemployment and utility charges.

Preliminary results of the polls showed United Russia leading in each of the eight regional legislative polls. However, the predominant force in the federal parliament appeared to gain less support in the polls than it was expecting.

A major blow came in the city of Irkutsk, one of the largest in Siberia, where the Communist candidate for mayor won 62% of the vote, more then double United Russia"s candidate, who gained some 27%.

The results of the legislative polls ran counter to United Russia leaders" expectations, with the party gaining support of over half of those casting votes in only four of the eight regions.

All four parties represented in the lower house of the Russian parliament - United Russia, the Communists, Liberal Democrats (LDPR) and the A Just Russia party - made it into the eight

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