Russian socialite launches ‘protest’ bid for presidency

A Russian socialite and former journalist has announced she will run as a protest candidate in that country’s upcoming presidential election, in a move that appears to have been welcomed by the Kremlin.

Ksenia Sobchak, who is the daughter of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s political mentor, said she was “outside of ideology” and looking to appeal to voters who are dissatisfied with the state of Russian politics.

“I am ‘against all,’” Sobchak said while announcing her candidacy. “You are not for Sobchak, you are voting against all – against Yavlinsky, Zyuganov, and Putin.”

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Grigory Yavlinsky and Gennady Zyugano are existing opposition candidates, while Putin, who is yet to announce his candidacy, is widely expected to run again.

“Sobchak conceded she was an unlikely candidate and said she supported opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who is barred from standing,” the BBC says.

Despite Sobchak’s openly defiant position against the government, the Kremlin has welcomed her candidacy.

“In the past six months, Russia has seen a rise in protest sentiment among young people in high school and college, and the government is looking to channel that anger into a safe political movement,” the Washington Post says.