Astrakhan is a very important city in my political biography. It was after a trip here in 2012 that I realized how important it is to work in the regions.
The Kremlin realized it too back then: in the space of a week, a “Moscow landing party” supporting Oleg Shein stirred up the city and organized a record-breaking demonstration—and I was immediately placed under a travel restriction, which lasted for several years.
And now I’ve come here again—to meet old friends and make new ones. Also after a 20-day break. It was an important rally.
And it delivered. It was really great.
We landed at 5 p.m., the rally was at 6, and by the time we got there—at 5:30—it looked like a complete disaster. A tropical downpour. Thunder, lightning. Who would go to a rally in weather like that?
But people came, and huge thanks for that. I hope no one gets sick.
At one point, a fervent Putin supporter came up on stage. Still, he agreed that the whole country has been ruined and looted. He even thinks that United Russia is a party of crooks and thieves. It made for an interesting mini-debate.
We are continuing our campaign, and we will conduct it the way it should be conducted—in the regions, with real rallies and meetings in any conditions. That is what campaigning is. That is what elections are.
Putin’s lapdog Pamfilova can say whatever she wants—we have more right to take part in these elections than all the other candidates put together. We are working incredibly hard so that voters can make their choice.
Thank you, Astrakhan.