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Every election yields contradictory interpretations by winners and losers.
But for sheer schizophrenia, few countries can compete with Russia following its December 19 parliamentary election. Kiriyenko's party, fearing for its political life just a few weeks ago, now looks set to play a key role in the new State Duma, the lower house of the national legislature. Those victories meant in turn that the Communist Party, despite getting more votes than the other parties, has lost its hold over parliament's agenda, perhaps opening the way to tax, land, and other economic reforms. Ironically, however, the democrats' victory once again throws into relief the limits of Russia's experiment in democracy. The stunning success of the Unity Bloc.