Putin sees his critics as foreign tools

Russian President Vladimir V. Putin called his critics foreign-funded jackals and accused the West of meddling in Russian politics in a scathing speech meant to drum up support for the main pro-Kremlin party.

Russia's Dec. 2 parliamentary elections have turned into a plebiscite on Putin and whether he should retain power when he steps down as president next year after two consecutive terms.

Thousands of flag-waving supporters who packed a Moscow sports arena for the speech joined in chants urging Putin to remain Russia's "national leader."

It isn't clear what title he might hold, but he heads the ticket of the dominant United Russia party and has suggested that he could become prime minister.

Polls suggest the party will win 80% of the lower house of parliament's 450 seats.