Searches, detentions, and arrests — that’s how Putin throws a tantrum when he sees his approval rating. And he checks it often, because elections are coming up soon. That’s why it’s especially important right now to help independent candidates for the State Duma, so as to upset him even more.
One such candidate is Oleg Stepanov. He headed the Moscow headquarters: he carried out a huge number of investigations into corrupt Moscow officials, solved many local problems, and organized major projects — a signature collection center, observer training, and others.
And after the network of headquarters was shut down, he continued fighting United Russia on his own and announced his candidacy for the State Duma in District 201.
And his campaign team needs your help right now.
Become a campaign volunteer. It’s not only a major contribution to defeating United Russia, but also paid work. You can sign up for training right here.
Support Oleg’s campaign financially. Until the elections are officially called, you can send money in any way you like — to his campaign manager’s bank card, via cryptocurrency, and more.
Leave your contact details on the website in support of Stepanov’s nomination if you or people you know live in Moscow’s District 201. It includes the Danilovsky, Donskoy, Kotlovka, Moskvorechye-Saburovo, Nagatino-Sadovniki, Nagatinsky Zaton, Nagorny, Pechatniki, Chertanovo Severnoye, and Yuzhnoportovy districts.
Of course, like virtually every independent candidate in 2021, Stepanov has had a criminal case opened against him. Together with Lyubov Sobol, Kira Yarmysh, Oleg Navalny, Kostya Yankauskas, and five other decent people, he is a defendant in the so-called “sanitary case”, which was brought in retaliation for the January protests. So since January, Oleg has been under house arrest: he cannot leave his home, use the internet, or communicate with anyone except his lawyer and the investigator.
As you can imagine, running in these conditions takes more effort than usual. But mounting a campaign and winning is entirely realistic — and completely legal. Stepanov’s chances are serious: 85% of Moscow residents do not support United Russia, and in the district where Oleg is running, those voters actually turn out and vote for opposition candidates, despite all the efforts of the crooks in the presidential administration.
So right now, while you’re reading this post, Stepanov’s team is out campaigning: talking to people, handing out leaflets, and collecting supporters’ contact details across the district. By the way, you can also join Stepanov’s team and take part. You can sign up here.
Whether independent candidates make it onto the ballot depends only on us. That’s why it’s important to support them now. And don’t forget about Smart Voting — no matter how furious Putin gets, neither his approval rating nor that of his party, United Russia, is going to rise. Which means that in September we will deal a powerful blow to the crooks, thieves, and killers, even if all independent candidates are barred from the election one way or another.