Russia to elect parliament on December 4: Medvedev

President Dmitry Medvedev yesterday set a parliamentary election for December 4 that will set the stage for Russia's presidential vote next March.
Medvedev signed a decree setting the date for the election to the 450-seat State Duma, the lower house of parliament, which is dominated by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's ruling United Russia party.
"I would very much like the makeup of the future Duma to reflect the preferences of the broadest circle of our citizens to the maximum extent possible," Medvedev told party leaders.