Win for Putin, Loss for Chavez

To day, Vladimir Putin's Party the United Russia won a victory in the parliamentary election (AP Barry). As I printed earlier, Putin is term limited. While he can run for two consecutive terms, he can be prime minister until he can run for president again. This election makes Putin as prime minister possible. 

In other news, Venezuelan voters voted down a referendum to do away with term limits (AP James). Chavez is term limited as well and had the referendum pass, he could remain president for life. Hopefully civil liberties and the freedom of the press can return when Chavez leaves.