40-year-old single mother to challenge Vladimir Putin in 2024 election after claiming Russia is on path to ‘self-destruction’
A young Russian journalist has pledged to take the fight to Vladimir Putin in next year’s presidential election, calling for the nation to restore international relations and cease the conflict in Ukraine.
Ekaterina Duntsova, a 40-year-old single mother and local politician, has made daring comments against the status quo in Russia and wants to challenge Putin as commander-in-chief despite the risks.
“Why did I make this decision? I love our country, I want Russia to be a thriving, democratic and peaceful state. But right now our country is moving in a completely different direction,” she said in her announcement.
“It is important for me that I live like most people in this country. All of their worries, their problems are near and dear to me.
“I am not scared because, most importantly, my family and loved ones are supporting me. They are ready, so I am ready too.”
She claims Russia has been “moving in the wrong direction for ten years, towards self destruction”, and says she is speaking for the millions of ordinary Russians who are copping the brunt of the international backlash to Putin’s war in Ukraine.
She also boldly criticised the number of political prisoners in Russia and called for more freedom of speech in the public square.
“Every day the life of ordinary Russians becomes more and more difficult. Citizens cannot freely express their opinions if they do not coincide with the position of the authorities; the number of political prisoners is growing, hundreds of thousands of people have been driven out of the country,” Ms Duntsova said.
“Local self-government has been virtually destroyed, and in a huge state everything is decided by one person. ‘Military operations’ on the territory of neighbouring states lead to inevitable isolation and degradation. The last allies remain Iran, North Korea and Eritrea, but they too may soon turn away.”
Ms Duntsova’s approach appears to already have her in the Kremlin’s sights. After declaring her intention to run for Putin’s job, she was summoned to the local prosecutor’s office.
Putin is set to extend his rule until at least 2030 in a nationwide vote next March — a contest rights groups say will be neither free nor fair.
Next year’s election is seen as a rubber stamp procession for Putin, who has ruled Russia as either its president or prime minister since the final day of 1999.
Every major opposition figure who has tried to challenge his rule has been banned, imprisoned or exiled.
A young Russian journalist has pledged to take the fight to Vladimir Putin in next year’s presidential election, calling for the nation to restore international relations and cease the conflict in Ukraine.
Ekaterina Duntsova, a 40-year-old single mother and local politician, has made daring comments against the status quo in Russia and wants to challenge Putin as commander-in-chief despite the risks.
“Why did I make this decision? I love our country, I want Russia to be a thriving, democratic and peaceful state. But right now our country is moving in a completely different direction,” she said in her announcement.
“It is important for me that I live like most people in this country. All of their worries, their problems are near and dear to me.
“I am not scared because, most importantly, my family and loved ones are supporting me. They are ready, so I am ready too.”
She claims Russia has been “moving in the wrong direction for ten years, towards self destruction”, and says she is speaking for the millions of ordinary Russians who are copping the brunt of the international backlash to Putin’s war in Ukraine.
She also boldly criticised the number of political prisoners in Russia and called for more freedom of speech in the public square.
“Every day the life of ordinary Russians becomes more and more difficult. Citizens cannot freely express their opinions if they do not coincide with the position of the authorities; the number of political prisoners is growing, hundreds of thousands of people have been driven out of the country,” Ms Duntsova said.
“Local self-government has been virtually destroyed, and in a huge state everything is decided by one person. ‘Military operations’ on the territory of neighbouring states lead to inevitable isolation and degradation. The last allies remain Iran, North Korea and Eritrea, but they too may soon turn away.”
Ms Duntsova’s approach appears to already have her in the Kremlin’s sights. After declaring her intention to run for Putin’s job, she was summoned to the local prosecutor’s office.
Putin is set to extend his rule until at least 2030 in a nationwide vote next March — a contest rights groups say will be neither free nor fair.
Next year’s election is seen as a rubber stamp procession for Putin, who has ruled Russia as either its president or prime minister since the final day of 1999.
Every major opposition figure who has tried to challenge his rule has been banned, imprisoned or exiled.
