Moscow ? Thousands of protesters rallied against the government in cities across Russia on Saturday, reflecting mounting anger over the nation’s economic woes.

The protests posed a challenge to the Kremlin, which faced little threat from the fragmented opposition during the years of oil-driven boom.

The largest march took place in the far eastern port of Vladivostok, where about 3,000 people denounced the Cabinet’s decision to increase tariffs on imported cars. Some shouted slogans urging Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to resign.

In Moscow, about 1,000 Communist demonstrators rallied on a central square. Communist Party chief Gennady Zyuganov said the government must abandon Western economic models and adopt broad nationalization. Protesters held signs reading: “Putin’s plan — Peril to Russia!”