The Russian parliament gave early approval to a Kremlin-sponsored bill that sets tough rules for forming and funding political parties, provisions critics assail as state interference. President Vladimir Putin has said the bill would promote the creation of effective political parties. Opponents contend it would push most of Russia’s parties out of existence and make the rest dependent on government handouts. Under the bill, a political party must have at least 10,000 members nationwide and no fewer than 100 members in more than half of Russia’s 89 provinces. Parties that receive more than 3% of the vote would receive state financing. The bill allows some private donations but sharply limits their size and who can give. Russia has some 200 parties on paper. Twenty-six groups contested the 1999 parliamentary election.