Vladimir Putin the Russian opposition and by international observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe for procedural irregularities. Anti-Putin protests took place during and directly after the presidential campaign. The most notorious protest was the Pussy Riot performance on 21 February, and subsequent trial. An estimated 8,000–20,000 protesters gathered in Moscow on 6 May, when eighty people were injured in confrontations with police, and 450 were arrested, with another 120 arrests taking place the following day. A counter-protest of Putin supporters occurred which culminated in a gathering of an estimated 130,000 supporters at the Luzhniki Stadium, Russia's largest stadium.
Vladimir Putin presidential campaign, 2012 Vladimir Putin presidential campaign, 2012 The 2012 presidential campaign of Vladimir Putin, 2nd and 4th President of Russia, was announced on 24 September 2011, at the United Russia party convention for the legislative election. This campaign was third presidential campaign of Vladimir Putin. Vladimir Putin was the President of Russia from 2000 to 2008. Since the Russian Constitution limits the President's term to two consecutive terms, Putin could not run for President in 2008. Dmitry Medvedev was elected as the new President. Becoming President he appointed Putin Prime Minister. Medvedev could seek re-election in 2012. At the same time he