Supporters of the Russian communist party hold a rally to protest against violations at the parliamentary elections and the policies conducted by current Russian authorities in Moscow December 18, 2011. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's approval rating has dropped to its lowest level of the year in the first opinion poll published since his ruling party suffered an election setback and he faced the biggest protests of his 12-year rule. The words on the balloon read, "Against the party of swindlers and thieves." REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin (RUSSIA - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS CIVIL UNREST)