Prime Minister Vladimir Putin looks on during a cabinet meeting in Moscow, Russia, Monday, Dec. 5, 2011.Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s party saw its majority in Russia’s parliament weaken sharply, according to preliminary election results released Monday, a humiliating setback for the man who has steadily tightened his grip on the nation for nearly 12 years. (AP Photo/RIA Novosti, Yana Lapikova, Pool)

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin looks on during a cabinet meeting in Moscow, Russia, Monday, Dec. 5, 2011.Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s party saw its majority in Russia’s parliament weaken sharply, according to preliminary election results released Monday, a humiliating setback for the man who has steadily tightened his grip on the nation for nearly 12 years. (AP Photo/RIA Novosti, Yana Lapikova, Pool)