The anti-'Putin war' candidate who turned out to be too popular

Boris Nadezhdin is a unique and independent-minded Russian figure in these tumultuous times of political unrest and conflict. Despite facing numerous obstacles and criticisms, he fearlessly took a stand against the war and challenged the political establishment. Unfortunately, his candidacy for the presidency of Russia was disqualified due to alleged irregularities in the signatures gathered in support of his campaign.

Nadezhdin’s bold stance on ending the mobilization, bringing Russian soldiers home, and releasing political prisoners garnered unexpected popular support from citizens across the country. In cities such as Krasnodar, Saint Petersburg, Saratov, Voronezh, and Ufa, people lined up outside his headquarters to express their endorsement. However, the authorities deemed his growing influence a threat and put an end to his candidacy.

Undeterred by this setback, Nadezhdin announced his intention to appeal the decision, emphasizing that participating in the presidential elections is the most significant political decision of his life. Describing himself as a physicist, businessman, lawyer, and politician, he advocates for cooperation with Western countries and aims to lead Russia towards a future free from authoritarianism and militarization.

Nadezhdin does not shy away from addressing controversial issues such as abortion restrictions and the ban on the LGBT movement, which he views as regressive and outdated. His journey from being an advocate of Putinism to vocal critic highlights his disillusionment with the current political landscape. In 2020, he voiced opposition to the constitutional amendments that prolonged President Putin’s term until 2036.

One of Nadezhdin’s standout efforts was his meeting with wives and mothers of Russian soldiers who had been mobilized. Unlike many other political figures, he paid attention to their concerns and became an important figure in a growing movement seeking justice and transparency.

Labeled as the ‘pacifist candidate,’ Nadezhdin’s sharp criticism of the war and his description of it as a “fatal mistake” surprised many analysts. However, it is not surprising that he faced disqualification from the election race, as flaws and discrepancies were allegedly found in the signatures supporting his candidacy. The Central Election Commission even raised suspicions about the authenticity of some signatures, suggesting that they may have come from deceased individuals.

Despite these challenges, Nadezhdin remains determined to uphold the integrity of his electoral bid, asserting that he collected over 200,000 signatures in a transparent and honest manner. The queues of people at his headquarters and collection points, he claims, serve as visual proof of the widespread support he received.