Support The Moscow Times!

Moscow Mayoral Race Kicks off With Sobyanin Expected to Coast to Victory

Sergei Sobyanin (Sergei Vedyashkin / Moskva News Agency)

Moscow legislators have given the official start to the city’s mayoral race, with little doubt that incumbent Mayor Sergei Sobyanin will be re-elected by Muscovites this fall.

Sobyanin has been actively campaigning for at least a month and a half, with photo-ops of him using public transportation, anonymous viral campaign ads and a hashtag posted by Russian celebrities in his support (#ZaSobyanina). As oppositional candidates clash over who would be a worthier challenger to Sobyanin, observers expect the incumbent to coast to an easy victory.

On Saturday, the Moscow City Duma published an ordinance declaring Sept. 9 Election Day, officially kicking off the three-month campaign.

Candidates face a July 2 deadline to submit their paperwork, with the shortlist expected to be made public no later than by July 13, according to Interfax.

This year, Sobyanin has sought to increase turnout by extending voting times and adding polling stations to allow for Muscovites to cast their ballots without leaving their dacha summer homes.

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more