Putin says Washington is trying to ‘promote’ Navalny into Russia's political leadership

Vladimir Putin told a gathering of journalists on Thursday that the U.S. government would like to see Alexey Navalny claim a leadership position in Russia.

Asked about the Central Election Commission’s rejection of Navalny’s presidential candidacy application and Washington’s reaction, Putin said, “That individual you mentioned [Navalny] — he’s not the only person whose candidacy wasn’t allowed. For some reason, they’re not talking about anyone else. This apparently speaks to the American administration’s preferences [...] and suggests whom they’d like to promote in Russia’s political sphere and whom they’d like to see in the country’s leadership.”

Following the federal election officials’ refusal to accept Navalny’s presidential candidacy application, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department expressed concern about the Russian government’s measures against independent voices, including reporters, activists, and opposition politicians.

“In this sense, they screwed up. They would have been better off if they’d remained silent,” Putin said.

TASS

• On December 25, federal election officials refused to register Alexey Navalny’s presidential candidacy nomination on the grounds that he is still serving a felony probation sentence. According to election laws, Navalny is ineligible for elected office until at least 2028.
• Navalny is appealing the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Central Election Commission’s rejection of his presidential candidacy application. If the court rules against Navalny again, the politician’s lawyers say he will take the matter to the European Court of Human Rights.
• Throughout 2017, Navalny conducted a rigorous nationwide presidential campaign, traveling the country and opening campaign offices in dozens of cities. He financed the effort with donations from supporters and volunteer labor.
• In 2016, the pro-Kremlin network TV program “Vesti Nedeli” aired a segment claiming that Navalny has cooperated with British and American intelligence agencies. Navalny challenged federal police to investigate his supposedly “subversive activities,” but no charges have been filed. Navalny tried to sue the television network for defamation, but his lawsuit was thrown out.
• Russia’s next presidential election takes place on March 18, 2018, when Vladimir Putin is expected to win re-election easily.