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

Boris Nadezhdin seeks to run in the March 17 presidential election in Russia. The question now is whether 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.

  • circuscritic@lemmy.caEnglish
    121·
    10 months ago

    This is controlled opposition and it’s critical for the Putin regime.

    Controlled opposition doesn’t require direct collusion, but it doesn’t preclude it either. It just means he’s useful for Putin maintaining democratic legitimacy or even just the illusion of it.

    Regardless, if he was an actual threat to Putin, he wouldn’t be allowed to remain in any elected office.

    I’m fairly confident in this assessment. However, if he’s found in motel with a dead hooker and a live boy, or falls out a window, feel free to call me out and rub my noise in it.