DUSHANBE, August 7, 2015, Asia-Plus -- The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which is the ruling political party of Tajikistan, and United Russia, which is the ruling political party of the Russian Federation, are expected to sign a cooperation agreement soon.

“The sides have already endorsed the draft agreement and it just remains to fix the date of signing of the document,” Usmon Soliyev, the head of the PDP public relations department, told Asia-Plus in an interview.

According to him, the agreement provides for establishment of cooperation between the two parties on exchange of experience, information and delegations as well as training of party personnel.

Founded in 1994, the People’s Democratic Party is the largest political party in Tajikistan, boasting some 250,000 registered members.  President Emomali Rahmon is chairman of the party.

At the legislative elections, February 27 and March 13, 2005, the party won 74% of the popular vote and 52 out of 63 seats in the country’s lower house (Majlisi Namoyandagon) of parliament.  This was an increase from the 2000 elections, in which they won 64.9% of the vote and 38 seats.  At the 2010 legislative elections, February 28, the party won 71.69% of the popular vote and 45 out of 63 seats.  At the last legislative election, March 1, 2015, the party won 74 percent of the vote and 51 out of 63 seats. 

United Russia is the current ruling political party in Russia.  It is the largest party in the Russian Federation, currently holding 238 (or 52.89%) of the 450 seats in the State Duma (Russia’s lower chamber of parliament).

The party was founded in December 2001 through a merger of the Unity and Fatherland – All Russia parties.  It supports the policies of the current presidential administration.  The party''s association with President and former Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who is a former party leader, has been the key to its success, and there is also evidence that the electorate credits the party (in addition to Putin) for improvements in the economy.  Dmitry Medvedev, Russia''s current Prime Minister and former President, has been the leader of United Russia since May 26, 2012.