Russia's Medvedev Seeks to Showcase Democracy

President Dmitry Medvedev said Thursday that Russia is taking steps toward greater democracy, defending electoral reforms that Kremlin critics dismiss as window-dressing.

Medvedev met with leaders of three small political parties and offered hope they will someday win seats in parliament, which is dominated by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's United Russia party.

Medvedev has spoken in favor of pluralism and lowered some of the barriers Putin threw up to keep opponents out of parliament and other power structures during his eight-year presidency.

He suggested that the changes he has initiated — including a law that will give one or two seats to parties winning between 5 percent and 7 percent of the vote in parliamentary elections, instead of shutting them out entirely — marked slow but sure democratic progress.

"I believe these decisions are aimed to create a modern, more democratic political system," Medvedev said in televised remarks during the meeting at his residence outside Moscow.

"Of course, the formation of the political system is proceeding constantly," he added — apparently eager to avoid the impression that he was criticizing Putin, the mentor who chose him as successor and now serves as prime minister. Many Russians believe Putin still holds the country's reins.

Medvedev met with leaders of Yabloko, a liberal party that has been out of parliament since 2000; the little-known nationalist party Patriots of Russia; and Right Cause, a party created last year with Kremlin support.

He struck an inclusive tone in comments broadcast on state television. He pointed out that the parties have tens of thousands of members and said it was "quite likely" they will "sooner or later" win seats in the State Duma, the lower house of parliament.

Despite Medvedev's talk of democracy, critics say the Kremlin has continued to maintain its tight grip on politics, using its clout to keep opponents off TV and out of office.