Thousands of people across Russia are signing petitions to support the longshot candidacy of Boris Nadezhdin.

Boris Nadezhdin has become a dilemma for the Kremlin as he seeks to run in the March 17 presidential election. The question now is whether Russian authorities will allow him on the ballot.

The stocky, bespectacled 60-year-old local legislator and academic has struck a chord with the public, openly calling for a halt to the conflict in Ukraine, the end of mobilizing Russian men for the military, and starting a dialogue with the West. He also has criticized the country’s repression of LGBTQ+ activism.

“The collection of signatures has gone unexpectedly well for us,” Nadezhdin told The Associated Press in an interview Wednesday in Moscow. “We didn’t expect this, to be honest.”

  • woelkchen@lemmy.worldEnglish
    19·
    11 months ago

    The question now is whether Russian authorities will allow him on the ballot.

    The elections are rigged anyway.

    • rammer@sopuli.xyzEnglish
      71·
      11 months ago

      But they need seemingly legitimate opposition that doesn’t really threaten them.

      It doesn’t matter if the election is rigged or not. It is all about appearances. Even though everyone with a half a brain knows what’s going on.

      • woelkchen@lemmy.worldEnglish
        22·
        11 months ago

        I was explaining why it’s not a dilemma for the Russian government. You wrote “But…” and then made no counter argument, so I don’t see what you’re trying to say.