"Vedomosti": Ksenia Sobchak may become one of Putin's rivals in the elections

The presidential administration thought that a woman could become a “worthy candidate” for the role of an opponent to the president.

Interlocutors from the presidential administration told Vedomosti that the possibility of nomination of a woman as a “sparring partner” is currently being discussed the current head of state in the 2018 election. Experts consider five to seven possible defendants, while one of the sources said that a woman who is not in any party was agreed.

Experts surveyed by the publication called Ksenia Sobchak as an “ideal option”, because, according to them, she “demonstrates the image of a modern young woman who would like to go into politics.” It is also noted that the TV presenter “does not correspond” to the image of a “typical Russian woman”, and it is not yet clear whether she decides to go to the polls.

Among other possible candidates, the publication called the chairman of the Social-Democratic Union of women of Russia Natalya the Great, the leader of the National Parental Committee Irina Volynets and a member of the Central Council of the Just Russia party Irina Petelaeva. With the latter, at the same time, the issue allegedly has already been discussed informally.

Women had previously nominated in the presidential election. In 2000, the Civic Dignity Association nominated the current CEC chairman Ella Pamfilov, and in 2004, Irina Khakamada participated in them from the Union of Right Forces.

Experts agreed that the participation of a woman in the 2018 elections is predictable - this would mitigate the fatigue and irritation of voters from Zyuganov, Zhirinovsky and Yavlinsky. In addition, this would attract attention to the campaign and would show that it will not be feminine.

In April 2016, Putin allowed a woman in the presidential election. According to him, a woman "can cope best with many problems."

#Politics #Sobchak2018 #Elections 2018