Putin opponent clears first step in bid for Russian presidency
Nataliya Vasilyeva, Associated Press
Published 5:48 pm, Sunday, December 24, 2017
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Photo: Pavel Golovkin, STF
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny gestures while speaking during his supporters' meeting that nominated him for the presidential election race in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. His wife Yulia is on the left. The 41-year-old anti-corruption crusader has run a yearlong grass-roots campaign and staged waves of rallies to push the Kremlin to let him run. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)
lessRussian opposition leader Alexei Navalny gestures while speaking during his supporters' meeting that nominated him for the presidential election race in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. His wife Yulia is
... more
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny gestures while speaking during his supporters' meeting that nominated him for the presidential election race in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. The 41-year-old anti-corruption crusader has run a yearlong grass-roots campaign and staged waves of rallies to push the Kremlin to let him run. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)
lessRussian opposition leader Alexei Navalny gestures while speaking during his supporters' meeting that nominated him for the presidential election race in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. The 41-year-old
... more
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny greets his supporters at a meeting that nominated him for the presidential election race in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. His wife Yulia is right of him. The 41-year-old anti-corruption crusader has run a yearlong grass-roots campaign and staged waves of rallies to push the Kremlin to let him run. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)
lessRussian opposition leader Alexei Navalny greets his supporters at a meeting that nominated him for the presidential election race in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. His wife Yulia is right of him. The
... more
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and his wife Yulia attend his supporters' meeting that nominated him for the presidential election race in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. Nevertheless, the 41-year-old anti-corruption crusader has run a yearlong grass-roots campaign and staged waves of rallies to push the Kremlin to let him run. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)
lessRussian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and his wife Yulia attend his supporters' meeting that nominated him for the presidential election race in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. Nevertheless, the
... more
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny greets his supporters during a meeting that nominated him for the presidential election race in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. Nevertheless, the 41-year-old anti-corruption crusader has run a yearlong grass-roots campaign and staged waves of rallies to push the Kremlin to let him run. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)
lessRussian opposition leader Alexei Navalny greets his supporters during a meeting that nominated him for the presidential election race in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. Nevertheless, the 41-year-old
... more
Supporters of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny vote during a meeting that their candidate for the presidential election race is nominated in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. Opposition leader Navalny is barred from the race by an embezzlement conviction he calls politically motivated. Nevertheless, the 41-year-old anti-corruption crusader has run a yearlong grass-roots campaign and staged waves of rallies to push the Kremlin to let him run. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)
lessSupporters of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny vote during a meeting that their candidate for the presidential election race is nominated in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. Opposition leader
... more
Supporters of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny vote during a meeting that their candidate for the presidential election race is nominated in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. Opposition leader Navalny is barred from the race by an embezzlement conviction he calls politically motivated. Nevertheless, the 41-year-old anti-corruption crusader has run a yearlong grass-roots campaign and staged waves of rallies to push the Kremlin to let him run. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)
lessSupporters of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny vote during a meeting that their candidate for the presidential election race is nominated in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. Opposition leader
... more
Supporters of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny vote during a meeting that their candidate for the presidential election race is nominated in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. Opposition leader Navalny is barred from the race by an embezzlement conviction he calls politically motivated. Nevertheless, the 41-year-old anti-corruption crusader has run a yearlong grass-roots campaign and staged waves of rallies to push the Kremlin to let him run. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)
lessSupporters of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny vote during a meeting that their candidate for the presidential election race is nominated in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. Opposition leader
... more
Russian opposition activists hold Russian national flags as they gather at a park in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. Hundreds of supporters of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny on Sunday endorsed him for the presidency and prepared to file his nomination with election officials, putting pressure on the Kremlin to allow him to run. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)
lessRussian opposition activists hold Russian national flags as they gather at a park in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. Hundreds of supporters of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny on Sunday endorsed
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A snowman decorated with Russian national flags and a poster reads 'Navalny 2018' is set at a park in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. Hundreds of supporters of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny on Sunday endorsed him for the presidency and prepared to file his nomination with election officials, putting pressure on the Kremlin to allow him to run. (AP Photo/Denis Tyrin)
lessA snowman decorated with Russian national flags and a poster reads 'Navalny 2018' is set at a park in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. Hundreds of supporters of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny on
... more
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny's supporters vote to nominate him for the presidential election race during a gathering in St. Petersburg, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. Navalny is barred from the race by an embezzlement conviction he calls politically motivated. Nevertheless, the 41-year-old anti-corruption crusader has run a yearlong grass-roots campaign and staged waves of rallies to push the Kremlin to let him run. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)
lessRussian opposition leader Alexei Navalny's supporters vote to nominate him for the presidential election race during a gathering in St. Petersburg, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. Navalny is barred from the race
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Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny shows a box with endorsement papers in support of his presidential bid to Russia's Central Election in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. The 41-year-old anti-corruption crusader has run a yearlong grass-roots campaign and staged waves of rallies to push the Kremlin to let him run. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev)
lessRussian opposition leader Alexei Navalny shows a box with endorsement papers in support of his presidential bid to Russia's Central Election in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. The 41-year-old
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A Russia's Central Election's employee explains to Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny as his team carry endorsement papers in support of his presidential bid to Russia's Central Election in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. The 41-year-old anti-corruption crusader has run a yearlong grass-roots campaign and staged waves of rallies to push the Kremlin to let him run. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev)
lessA Russia's Central Election's employee explains to Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny as his team carry endorsement papers in support of his presidential bid to Russia's Central Election in Moscow,
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Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny leads his team as they carry endorsement papers in support of his presidential bid to Russia's Central Election in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. The 41-year-old anti-corruption crusader has run a yearlong grass-roots campaign and staged waves of rallies to push the Kremlin to let him run. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev)
lessRussian opposition leader Alexei Navalny leads his team as they carry endorsement papers in support of his presidential bid to Russia's Central Election in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. The 41-year-old
... more
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny speaks to journalists as his team carry endorsement papers in support of his presidential bid to Russia's Central Election in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. The 41-year-old anti-corruption crusader has run a yearlong grass-roots campaign and staged waves of rallies to push the Kremlin to let him run. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev)
lessRussian opposition leader Alexei Navalny speaks to journalists as his team carry endorsement papers in support of his presidential bid to Russia's Central Election in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. The
... more
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny speaks as he sits next to boxes with endorsement papers in support of his presidential bid to Russia's Central Election in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. The 41-year-old anti-corruption crusader has run a yearlong grass-roots campaign and staged waves of rallies to push the Kremlin to let him run. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev)
lessRussian opposition leader Alexei Navalny speaks as he sits next to boxes with endorsement papers in support of his presidential bid to Russia's Central Election in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. The
... more
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny rests next to boxes with endorsement papers in support of his presidential bid to Russia's Central Election in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. The 41-year-old anti-corruption crusader has run a yearlong grass-roots campaign and staged waves of rallies to push the Kremlin to let him run. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev)
lessRussian opposition leader Alexei Navalny rests next to boxes with endorsement papers in support of his presidential bid to Russia's Central Election in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. The 41-year-old
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Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, second left, gives endorsement papers in support of his presidential bid to a member of Russia's Central Election commission in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. The 41-year-old anti-corruption crusader has run a yearlong grass-roots campaign and staged waves of rallies to push the Kremlin to let him run. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev)
lessRussian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, second left, gives endorsement papers in support of his presidential bid to a member of Russia's Central Election commission in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017.
... more
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny smiles while speaking to members of Russia's Central Election commissin in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. The 41-year-old anti-corruption crusader has run a yearlong grass-roots campaign and staged waves of rallies to push the Kremlin to let him run. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev)
lessRussian opposition leader Alexei Navalny smiles while speaking to members of Russia's Central Election commissin in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. The 41-year-old anti-corruption crusader has run a
... more
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny gestures while speaking to members of Russia's Central Election commissin in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. The 41-year-old anti-corruption crusader has run a yearlong grass-roots campaign and staged waves of rallies to push the Kremlin to let him run. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev)
lessRussian opposition leader Alexei Navalny gestures while speaking to members of Russia's Central Election commissin in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. The 41-year-old anti-corruption crusader has run a
... more
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, center, follows his team carring endorsement papers in support of his presidential bid to Russia's Central Election in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. The 41-year-old anti-corruption crusader has run a yearlong grass-roots campaign and staged waves of rallies to push the Kremlin to let him run. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev)
lessRussian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, center, follows his team carring endorsement papers in support of his presidential bid to Russia's Central Election in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. The
... more
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is prohibited from seeking political office because of a conviction.
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is prohibited from seeking political office because of a conviction.
Photo: Alexander Zemlianichenko, STF
Putin opponent clears first step in bid for Russian presidency
MOSCOW - Hundreds of supporters of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny nominated him for president Sunday, allowing Navalny to file the endorsement papers required for his candidacy and putting pressure on the Kremlin to allow him to run.
Navalny, the most formidable foe President Vladimir Putin has faced during 18 years in power, is prohibited from seeking political office because of a criminal conviction that is largely viewed as retribution. However, he could enter the race if he gets special dispensation, or the conviction is thrown out.
About 800 Navalny supporters assembled in a giant tent for the formal endorsement meeting held in Moscow's snow-covered Silver Forest. His allies said multiple meeting venues refused to host the gathering.
Ivan Zhdanov, who chaired the meeting, joked that the riverside event ended up being convened at a place where the address is "Silver Forest, Beach Number 3."
"Has everyone got their swimming trunks?" Zhdanov asked the participants.
Election authorities observed the endorsement process. Navalny and his legal advisers submitted the nomination papers with the Russian Election Commission on Sunday evening.
Outdoor endorsement gatherings also took place in 19 other cities, from Vladivostok to St. Petersburg.
In Moscow, the process was delayed because the printer being used to generate the paperwork stopped working in the cold woods. While Navalny's staff tried to fix the machine, several hundred people gathered on a central Moscow square to demonstrate support for his nomination.
Biologist Svetlana Sorokina, 41, said it was important to show the Kremlin "there are many people like us."
Nearby, police officers warned the crowd through loudspeakers they were breaking the law and threatened to disperse the rally. Sorokina said she was "a little bit scared."
"I understand the danger. But I got prepared. I told my parents," she said. "They expect me to call and say everything is OK."
For Tatyana Komendant, 65, whether Navalny would make a good president or not was secondary. What mattered was getting the Kremlin to allow an open race in which anyone interested who met the eligibility requirements would be allowed to run, she said.
Russian law requires candidates to submit endorsements from just 500 people before they may start collecting the 1 million signatures needed to appear on the ballot. Putin's representatives are expected to file his nomination papers on Tuesday.
Election officials were expected to accept Navalny's paperwork, but it's highly unlikely they will allow him to proceed to the signature-gathering stage.
Polling agencies show Putin all but certain to win the March election. Polls show him with an 80 percent approval rating among Russian citizens. But Navalny has managed to galvanize some of the vast country's sleepiest regions with a yearlong grass-roots campaign.
"We have seen for ourselves this year that overwhelming support for authorities simply isn't there," Navalny said during an American-style campaign speech at the nomination meeting.
A lawyer by training, Navalny came to public prominence in 2009, when he began publishing investigations of corruption at Russia's biggest state-controlled companies. He spearheaded massive anti-government protests in 2011-2012 in reaction to wide-spread fraud during the parliamentary election.
Navalny came under pressure from authorities as he gained popularity. He faced countless detentions and jailings for staging protests and spent months under house arrest while being investigated for fraud. He was convicted on two sets of unrelated fraud charges. His brother was sent to prison in what was seen as political revenge.
http://www.chron.com/news/nation-world/world/article/Putin-opponent-clears-first-step-in-bid-for-12453683.php
