Vladimir Putin’s election headquarters held a meeting with 16 proxies

On Monday, the co-chairs of Vladimir Putin’s campaign headquarters, Vladimir Mashkov and Maryana Lysenko, held a meeting with 16 proxies of their candidate. At the meeting, they did not fail to report that they had collected ten times more signatures for Mr. Putin than required by law, and, which is also important, three times more than in the previous elections in 2018. The trusted representatives, in turn, stated that they were ready to accept their official status, although its absence did not prevent them from supporting Vladimir Putin in word and deed. Now they will do the same thing, but better. Some of those who came even admitted to Kommersant that they see in their work a high mission to prevent Russia from repeating the fate of the Byzantine Empire.

On the morning of January 22, representatives of Vladimir Putin’s election headquarters submitted 315 thousand signatures (the maximum possible number) of voters in his support to the Central Election Commission. Volunteers in white sweatshirts with the inscription “Russia Putin 2024” carried what seemed like endless boxes into the commission building, between which the satisfied co-chairman of the headquarters, Vladimir Mashkov, walked between them. “This record number of signatures in support of our candidate, the current President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, speaks of the enormous support for our candidate,” the actor commented on what was happening to a TASS correspondent. “People worked very actively, sometimes simply selflessly, seven days a week, despite holidays. In remote regions, everyone had the opportunity to sign, and this is wonderful,” another co-chair of the headquarters, the head physician of Moscow Hospital No. 52 Maryana Lysenko, did not lag behind her colleague.

The co-chairs began the meeting with 16 proxies of presidential candidate Vladimir Putin, which took place a little later at the headquarters in Gostiny Dvor, with a story about collecting signatures. The meeting was attended, among others, by the singer Shaman (in the world – Yaroslav Dronov), the rector of Moscow State University. M. V. Lomonosov Viktor Sadovnichy, MGIMO rector Anatoly Torkunov, head coach of the Russian rhythmic gymnastics team Irina Viner, singer Larisa Dolina, president of the national research center “Kurchatov Institute” Mikhail Kovalchuk, actress Ekaterina Guseva, singer Nikolai Rastorguev, and. O. Rector of the Academy of Russian Ballet named after. A. Ya. Vaganova Nikolai Tsiskaridze and others.

“In just a month of work, the election headquarters collected ten times more signatures than required by law. This is a great success. And this is three times more than was collected in 2018,” Vladimir Mashkov immediately reported to the audience. “What does Vladimir Vladimirovich ask us? What did we talk about at the meeting? It is most important now to receive feedback from all voters, from all citizens of the country,” Maryana Lysenko began her direct instruction. Mr. Mashkov conveyed to the audience a simple thank you from the president for participating in the campaign: “With such a powerful team, we are doomed to victory,” he concluded the introductory part.

The distribution of certificates by the co-chairs of the headquarters took literally a few minutes, after which candidate Putin’s proxies had the opportunity to test their newfound status in practice, answering questions from journalists. Thus, Ekaterina Guseva said, smiling and professionally pausing, that she received an offer to become a trustee for the first time in her life – a corresponding letter arrived at her theater. “What can you feel when you receive such information? That the president trusts me,” she explained to media representatives. However, according to her, this status changes little, because in previous election campaigns, even without being a trusted person, she supported Vladimir Putin.

“You know, in my place I will do the same thing as before, only better! I will serve Russia,” commented Shaman on receiving the ID. At the headquarters he was accompanied by two strong bearded men in black T-shirts with the inscription “I am Russian” and the head of the singer’s press service, who carefully monitored all the answers of his ward.

The leader of the Lyube group, Nikolai Rastorguev, became a confidant for the third time. According to him, he received the invitation by phone and immediately agreed, because, in his opinion, “there is no such person now who could act as president” except Vladimir Putin.

“You see, since I was six years old I have seen all the leaders of this world. Very close. He shook hands with many, sometimes kissed the hand of queens and princesses and chatted. He (Vladimir Putin.— “Kommersant”) one of the few leaders who looks and talks to you personally,” Nikolai Tsiskaridze told reporters a little further away. According to him, it was the current president who once motivated him to heed his “mother’s grumblings” and get a legal education. Mr. Tsiskaridze became Vladimir Putin’s confidant for the second time, but now, when the world is “in a very unstable situation,” he admits, he feels that the responsibility is greater.

The famous dancer also said that he has a “very specific character” and sometimes argues even with close friends, but regularly emerges victorious from these verbal battles. The Kommersant correspondent asked Mr. Tsiskaridze to give the arguments that he uses in conversations with those who do not agree with the policies pursued in Russia. “I give historical examples… You just need to know well the history of our country, the history of Europe, the history of civilizations in order to look at things soberly and realistically. Huge empires suffered losses and collapsed because society was not united enough. If you read about the time when the Ottomans conquered Constantinople – why did Constantinople fall? The worst thing is that the betrayal was inside!” — Nikolai Tsiskaridze shared his secret with inspiration. At the end of this story, it turned out that the ballet dancer had a final gloomy argument prepared for the disputants: “And the most important lesson! When the Ottomans conquered Constantinople, everyone who betrayed first was beheaded!” When asked by Kommersant for clarification whether Mr. Tsiskaridze considers Russia an empire, he answered in the affirmative.

Andrey Vinokurov