70% Participation Rate Expected For Russian Election; How Many Will Vote For Putin?
Today, the Central Election Commission received a notice about the creation of an action group that wants to nominate Vladimir Putin as a candidate in the upcoming election. The date of its creation is December 26. This was decided by the group's organizing committee that met in Moscow. Famous politicians, public figures, and regular Russians spoke about what was done in the country over the past years and what still needs to be done, and why only Putin can do it.
Denis Davydov reporting.
The election campaign seems to have the candidate loved by people the most. Putin is supported by officers, sportsmen, doctors, teachers, scientists, artists, public figures, and volunteers. Yesterday evening, 39 people met after work in order to discuss how to appoint their man as a presidential candidate.
Olga Amelchenkova, Victory Volunteers movement head: "When I heard that Mr. President openly announced his candidacy, we decided to support this idea and help with actions, not words".
Nikolai Rastorguyev, people's artist of Russia: "He's amazingly popular in the country. He's also amazingly popular throughout the world".
Each one of them has known Putin personally and for many years. Mikhail Kiselyov, commander of the student construction brigades. Here, six years ago, he talked with then Prime Minister Putin at a meeting in Sochi.
Mikhail Kiselyov: "I'm asked, 'You really meet with the President regularly?' 'Is he as strong and cool as he appears on TV?' I can honestly say that he is. I see him as brilliant and well informed. And he always projects a good leader's energy".
That was Artyom Baranov, a working man. During the President's visit to the GAZ plant, he asked Vladimir Putin about his participation in the upcoming campaign.
Artyom Baranov: "I decided not to stop on this question and to come to support our joint candidate".
According to the law, the action group that appoints the candidate must consist of at least 500 people. Meanwhile, its base was created. 39 activists who decided to help Vladimir Putin. Many of them know him not only as the President but also as the Commander in Chief.
Alexei Vedyashchev, a fighter pilot, covered Air Force One with his Flanker-Е+ when Putin visited Khmeimim Airbase.
Alexei Vedyashchev: "I wasn't in the military in the 1990s but I know well how it used to be. I'm a service member now. And I know and see what's going on now. The issue of soldiers' accommodations has been, essentially, completely resolved".
Today, after lunch, the Central Election Commission was notified about the creation of the action group on Vladimir Putin's nomination. Next Tuesday, on December 26th, 600 people will gather at VDNKH to announce it.
Andrei Turchak, United Russia Party member: "He's the man who united the country after the 1990s, provided for its dynamic development, and made Crimea a part of Russia again".
Dmitry Guberniyev, sports commentator: "My dream is that our country continues developing, that we become more confident because there are many problems that we can solve together".
Anatoly Alexandrov, Bauman University Dean: "The sanctions were an inconvenience, however, we concentrated our efforts, and the economy is getting better and better. We have economic growth now. It was due to the concrete position of our leader. It's clear that without him, many things we achieved over the past few years would have been impossible".
On the eve, the Russian Public Opinion Research Center published the latest poll data. 70% of respondents are ready to vote in the presidential election on March 18, 2018.
Denis Davydov, Yekatrina Frolova, Viktoria Golovkina and Vsevolod Sychyov, Vesti