It describes itself as an opposition party however its deputies hardly ever voted against the Putin government.

The Putin government asked parliament to replace the country's progressive but largely dysfunctional personal income tax with a simple flat tax.

Mr. Khodorkovsky has been a critic of the Putin government.

However, questions continue to be raised that Baird's decision was designed not to offend the Putin government in Russia.

They are now forced to understand that the censorship that they allowed the Putin government to impose on the press cannot ensure security and stability.

Though viewed as less critical than its predecessor, it had been the last television station to criticize the Putin government.

He indicated he hoped to form a broader coalition of right-wing critics of the Putin government.

At age 88, Felix Dadaev has been given permission from the Putin government to tell his story.

"The Putin government has to know the consequences for violations of human rights."

And the Putin government has been supportive of these efforts in ways that some might find surprising.