Direct speech

For whom and why entrepreneurs voted

Catherine Carmack,
28 years old, Kaluga, owner of the travel agency "Catherine Travel"
(the travel company has been operating on the market for 7 years, it employs 7 people): “I voted for Putin, because, in my opinion, there were no competitive alternatives on the list. Under Putin, we somehow developed, and what will happen under the rule of Zyuganov or Prokhorov is a big question. Prokhorov, in my opinion, has not grown up to the presidency - he has no political experience at all. And those to whom I sympathize - for example, Ryzhkov or Yavlinsky - were not on the list. That leaves Putin, although rumors about a possible increase in taxes and defense spending are a bit disconcerting.”

Pavel Gennel,
35 years old, Moscow, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the management company "Capital Financial Corporation"
(on the market for 10 years, employs 20 people, specializes in managing large private capital and raising funds for investment projects): “Despite the fact that my business felt fine during all the years of Putin’s rule, I voted for Prokhorov, because, in - firstly, I didn’t want my vote to be stolen and used in the electoral “casino”, and secondly, I think that it is necessary to send a signal to the authorities about the need for reforms and the presence in the country of people who want to work and earn money themselves, and not receive benefits from the state.

In recent years, the vertical built by Putin stopped working even within the framework of corruption schemes, which completely paralyzed the economy, with the exception of the export of raw materials, as well as the “development” of the budget. Such a policy will end badly even in conditions of high oil prices, and what will happen if oil suddenly becomes cheaper, one does not even want to think. Of course, I did not hope for Prokhorov's victory, so I don't feel like a loser either. The task of the opposition, in my opinion, is not to force Putin to leave, but to convince him to carry out the reforms that the country needs: to eliminate corruption at least at the lower levels of state administration, reduce the participation of the state in the economy and restore competition in business.”

Ekaterina Antoshkina,
27 years old, Moscow, owner of PR.Project
(on the market for 4 years, in the company of 6 people, direction - PR, marketing): “I voted for Prokhorov precisely because he is an oligarch. For me, he is the face of the new Russia, of all the candidates, he is the only one you can hope for when you think about business development. We now have a complete bureaucracy. It seems to me that Prokhorov understands how to remake this, and he has some kind of gleam in his eyes. And Putin is not interested in this, he, in his current status, has only to go down in history, preferably in a positive way, he no longer needs the rest. I am completely indifferent to the fact that Putin became president. If it were Prokhorov, I would be glad, but Putin would make absolutely no difference. Everything will remain the same."

Alexander Bortnyak,
29 years old, Nizhny Novgorod, owner of Relkam.Lab
(on the market for 8 years, electronic business - marketing, advertising): “I am for Putin. Despite all the opposition's brawls, it is Vladimir Vladimirovich who is the real stabilizing factor. He understands the rules of the game. Another president, other rules: it's always like that in Russia. Businesses need predictability and stability in order to thrive. Yes, taxes are constantly changing. But taxes are far from the only factor affecting business. Over the three terms of Putin, my business has grown 3 times. I am not a member of United Russia, I have no strings and a "hairy hand" in the authorities. But I don’t understand when people drive expensive cars and are unhappy. I walk and I'm happy. I don't want to live in an era of change, according to the old Chinese curse."

Oksana Shashkova,
Moscow, 31, General Director of the marketing agency "Needful People"
(on the market for 6 years, employs 10 people): I voted for Mikhail Prokhorov. We are small businesses, and we do not directly feel the influence of big politics. But the successful development of our agency depends entirely on the sustainability of our clients' business. I believe that the implementation of Prokhorov's political program will contribute to the development of enterprises in the real sector of the economy with which we work. I also like the proposal to abolish the Unified State Examination and the development of a new system of examinations for graduates.

Konstantin Maksimyuk,
33 years old, Moscow, co-owner of the New Internet agency,
(Several dozen people work, specializing in integrated communications): I voted for Prokhorov, because he is also tall, a basketball player, loves girls and does not hide it. In principle, I am not so categorically against Putin, I am even more annoyed by some opposition figures. But I remember the late USSR too well, and the further we go, the more common parallels that confuse me. I believe that Prokhorov is the only candidate who really wants and will do so that we cease to be a power with raw materials. Which for me automatically means that I will be ready to meet my old age in this country.

Elena Lukyanenko,
26 years old, St. Petersburg, founder of SpbFerma,
(on the market for 2 years, an online store selling farm products): “I voted for Putin. Yes, the system built by him is not perfect, but such things do not happen. Yes, there is no real support for youth business. There are some committees, initiative groups. But they are created, they launder money, but they don’t really work. Therefore, I used to rely solely on myself in business. After the election of Vladimir Putin, I look forward to an improvement in the business climate, primarily for young people. The state, according to Lukyanenko, could reduce or nullify tax rates for the first 2-3 years of business existence. And also to increase the interest of young people in entrepreneurship, to motivate them to become producers of a real “product”. If Putin changes the youth entrepreneurial climate, then I voted not in vain. If it doesn't change, then I'm wrong."

The material was prepared by Konstantin Baranovsky (Nizhny Novgorod), Vasily Grishin, Anton Zdobnov (Tolyatti), Ekaterina Katz