Participants of the United Russia women’s forum talked about their own and the election campaign

“United Russia” (UR) held on Tuesday the All-Russian women’s forum “Unity. Victory. Future”. He did not do without speeches from high-ranking men – Secretary of the General Council of United Russia Andrei Turchak and co-chairman of Vladimir Putin’s election headquarters, actor Vladimir Mashkov. In addition to general theses about love and the beneficial influence of women in politics, both did not fail to use this platform to support candidate Putin. Mr. Turchak complained that he could not campaign directly, but quite transparently hinted that everyone present had already made their choice, which means that all that remained was to come and vote. And Mr. Mashkov called the very fact of rallying the people around the president a victory.

The “Women’s Movement of United Russia” arose relatively recently, in 2022, largely through the efforts of the Deputy Secretary of the General Council of the party Daria Lantratova. When it was created, party members declared that the new structure was designed to help women realize themselves both in politics and in business. But so that no one would see in this the ideological kinship of the women of United Russia with the feminist movements of the West, the authors of the initiative regularly emphasized that the participants of their organization are committed exclusively to traditional values ​​and simply want to benefit society not only within the framework of their family and main work.

The forum began with the song “Invincible” performed by singer Nana Khatl. The patriotic message in her was evident from the first words: “Mother Russia raised us for centuries, that’s where, brother, all the strength is – to be together, to be with her.” And the following lines could be interpreted not only as patriotic, but also as propaganda in favor of United Russia: “Where our bear walks, children will be happy. And the adults will also have our bear – ours” (the official symbol of the party in power is the bear).

In her opening speech, Daria Lantratova said that now all women need to work together, since “the tasks facing our country require not competition, but a team.” It was also clear what tasks she had in mind. “Today, there probably isn’t a girl in the country who doesn’t know how to weave camouflage nets, how to make trench candles, or who doesn’t understand the features of drones,” the United Russia member explained. According to her, it largely depends on women what “the world will be like after victory.” “The greatest driving force that can move mountains and inspire any of the most daring actions is love. Today this care is in demand more than ever,” Mrs. Lantratova finished on a purely feminine note.

The next person to speak, however, was not one of her comrades, but a man, Andrei Turchak. He called the movement “one of our most successful projects” and those present a “colossal force.” Among the organization’s merits, the party member mentioned assistance to military families, nursing courses and other similar initiatives. He also noted the assistance to aspiring female politicians that the movement provides as part of its mentoring direction. “Without women, politics is a boring business,” stated Mr. Turchak, assuring that he and the party are interested in seeing more women in their ranks.

After this, the United Russia member unexpectedly admitted that his lawyers did not allow him to finish his speech the way he would have liked. “I also have a position in the Federation Council (first vice speaker.— “Kommersant”), therefore I have no right to engage in direct campaigning,” Andrei Turchak complained and immediately campaigned indirectly. He expressed confidence that everyone present in the hall and their loved ones had already made their choice among the presidential candidates, which means that all that remained was “not to leave your voice under your pillow or somewhere while fishing.” “Once again: as long as we are united, as long as we have such a president, we cannot be defeated. And everyone should have faith: the enemy will be defeated, victory will be ours,” Mr. Turchak finished his speech without any hints. After which Daria Lantratova asked him to reward particularly distinguished representatives of the movement.

The third speaker was again a man – co-chairman of Vladimir Putin’s headquarters, Vladimir Mashkov. Let us remind you that one of the three co-chairs of the headquarters is a woman – Maryana Lysenko, but she was not present at the event. However, it was clear that Mr. Mashkov himself is one of those men who enjoy speaking in front of women, and the latter are ready to listen to him with pleasure. “Dear, incomparable, beautiful, strong girls, women!” – the actor began after a deep sensual sigh. He went on to say that it is women who bring men to the theater, tell them what is beautiful and what is not, and generally “give direction to their heads.” Then Vladimir Mashkov talked about love, linking it with two more important concepts. “What you do requires unwavering attention. That’s why you’re a genius,” Mr. Mashkov deduced the logical chain.

The speech of the co-chairman of the headquarters also included compliments to “his” candidate, who “did everything to ensure that our homeland continued to develop.” And the actor called the very fact of rallying the people around Vladimir Putin a victory. “You give life to the next generations, and this will always be the case in our Russia. We protected you, and you will give life. I wish you health, discoveries, unity and once again – faith, hope and love in all your endeavors,” the actor clearly divided the female and male roles at the end of his speech. Representative functions were also found for him: Vladimir Mashkov presented some of the women present with certificates of authorized representatives of candidate Putin.

At the end of the forum, Vice-Speaker of the Federation Council Inna Svyatenko announced the launch of the “Voice of a Woman” project, which should turn women’s social initiatives proposed by the regions into legislative ones. And State Duma deputy, coordinator of the “Women’s Movement of United Russia” Natalia Poluyanova reported that 9 thousand students have already passed through the “Women’s Political School”, and also promised to open women’s employment clubs and the “Mother in the Village” project throughout the country. The forum closed with another song: the new anthem of the movement “Woman is the World” was performed by singer and State Duma deputy Denis Maidanov.

Andrey Vinokurov