Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has proposed creating a broad political front around his United Russia party in preparation for December's parliamentary election.
Speaking at a party rally on Friday, Putin said his proposed new front would include other political parties, trade unions and civil organizations.
United Russia has been losing favor with the Russian people.
The December election is seen as a rehearsal for Russia's next presidential vote, set for June 2012.
Putin and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev are seen as the two major candidates in the presidential election, but neither politician has announced a decision to run.
Russia's Putin Proposes Broad Political Front
![Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin attends the United Russia party congress in Volgograd, about 900 kilometers [550 miles] southeast of Moscow, Russia, May 6, 2011](https://gdb.voanews.com/451EB8B3-0A03-4DA1-A1BB-BFD33613277A_w250_r1_s.jpg)
