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Full Title: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/w...e-vote-socialite-alexei-navalny-a8007511.htmlKsenia Sobchak: 'Russia's Paris Hilton' to challenge Vladimir Putin for presidency but risks splitting opposition[/url]
When the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, KGB Colonel Vladimir Putin went back to his hometown of St. Petersburg, Russia. He joined the administration of St. Petersburg mayor Anatoly Sobchak eventually rising up to the rank of Deputy Mayor. Sobchak mentored both Putin and current Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on machine politics (such as Chicago) and more importantly he schooled them on official corruption. After Putin moved to Moscow to join the Yeltsin administration, Sobchak used all of his political capital to have Putin appointed Russian Prime Minister. Anatoly Sobchak died in 2000.
Although it's never been publicly acknowledged by the Kremlin, Putin is reported to be the Godfather of Ksenia Sobchak. If she opposes Putin for the office of president of Russia, her function will be to draw votes away from the Putin opposition, specifically Alexei Navalny.
Oliver Carroll - Moscow
10/18/2017
Russian TV anchor, journalist, actress, and socialite Ksenia Sobchak
At a press conference on 5 October, President Putin was asked what he thought about another Sobchak standing for office. He repeated his admiration for his former mentor, but refrained from endorsing a new Sobchak campaign. “It’s the first time I’ve heard that she wants to run,” he said. “I’m sure that there will be other candidates.” Few doubt Ms Sobchak has at least checked in with the Kremlin about her campaign. On 14 October, BBC Russian Service reported that Ms Sobchak had recently met with Mr Putin. The business paper Vedomosti reported that “sources” in the presidential administration suggesting the Kremlin was “looking for a woman to run,” and that “Ksenia was ideal”.
When the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, KGB Colonel Vladimir Putin went back to his hometown of St. Petersburg, Russia. He joined the administration of St. Petersburg mayor Anatoly Sobchak eventually rising up to the rank of Deputy Mayor. Sobchak mentored both Putin and current Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on machine politics (such as Chicago) and more importantly he schooled them on official corruption. After Putin moved to Moscow to join the Yeltsin administration, Sobchak used all of his political capital to have Putin appointed Russian Prime Minister. Anatoly Sobchak died in 2000.
Although it's never been publicly acknowledged by the Kremlin, Putin is reported to be the Godfather of Ksenia Sobchak. If she opposes Putin for the office of president of Russia, her function will be to draw votes away from the Putin opposition, specifically Alexei Navalny.
