BBC: The results of Sunday's elections in Russia are bad news for the West, which, it seems, has not a single friend left in the Russian parliament.
Not that the previous Duma ever hesitated to demonstrate its patriotic credentials and snub Nato at every turn. But at least there were a few daring independent deputies who at times would challenge the views of the majority.
One such was Vladimir Ryzhkov, whose dissident stance on human rights and freedoms in his own country, as well as international issues, earned him the wrath of nationalists and wide respect among liberals - both inside and outside Russia.
On Sunday, Mr Ryzhkov and others like him lost their platform - and a chance to speak to the nation.
The loophole has now been closed. The new electoral law does not allow independents to stand. All candidates had to represent a major political party to stand a chance of winning a seat. A Duma without one Westerniser >>> By Andrei Ostalski, BBC Russian Service
Mark Alexander
