Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is expressing confidence he will win Sunday's presidential election.
Putin told a group of foreign newspaper editors Friday in Moscow that anti-Putin protests since parliamentary elections in December were "a very good experience for Russia."
Putin has refused to nullify the December elections amid allegations of massive fraud. The prime minister's United Russia party maintained its majority in the vote.
Tens of thousands of people marched in protest over the December election and Putin's political dominance.
Opposition groups are now preparing for another demonstration, saying they expect some voting manipulation in Sunday's election. Putin is expected to easily win a third non-successive term as Russia's president.
Putin Confident About Presidential Win
Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev (R) and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin speak before a meeting with Security Council members at the Gorki presidential residence outside Moscow, March 2, 2012.