Time to read: 13 minutes(s)

Today, November 16, a journalist from the city of Rzhev said about her readiness to participate in the presidential elections, which will be held in March 2024. She advocates for an end to hostilities, demands the release of political prisoners and the implementation of democratic reforms.

Ekaterina Duntsova is 40 years old and a single mother of three. She entered politics in 2017, amidst a wave of signature drives calling for the return of direct mayoral elections (the bill was never considered by regional deputies because not enough five signatures).

In 2019, she was elected as a deputy of the Rzhev City Duma.

Coordinates the work of the volunteer search and rescue team.

To qualify as a candidate for President of Russia, Ekaterina Duntsova must hold a meeting of a 500-person initiative group and submit 300 signatures to the electoral commission.

Some are already calling her the long-awaited candidate who will speak out against the war. Others see her as a spoiler, needed by the Kremlin to fake an election.

A NeMoskva correspondent spoke with Ekaterina Duntsova about this and much more.

When did the idea of ​​running for president in Russia first occur to you? How long did it take you to figure it out?

"The idea has been floating around for a while. We see what's happening today: many politicians and activists are leaving Russia or are unable to participate in elections. But we want people to have an alternative."

How are you different from those who have left or are simply afraid to take part in the elections?

"They probably had their reasons. But I want to live here. I want our country to be democratic and free. I want people to have an alternative in these elections."

What were the pros and cons? What was the final argument?

I discussed the idea with some friends who have been in politics for years and understand how things work. My final decision was influenced by their support. They said I could do it and that I had the qualities needed to run for president.

What kind of people are they?

— People with specific experience, including political ones. People from the regions who are involved in important issues, including activism. Their opinions are important to me.

Have you discussed the possible risks with yourself? What are they?

We all see these risks; they're in our news feeds every day. The consequences for those who want to speak out freely have already been spelled out point by point. These include criminal prosecution, being labeled a foreign agent, and pressure on their families. It's all possible. But I hope I'll be the exception.

Are you seriously hoping for this? That the system will simply pass you by without even noticing?

"It's clear that even people loyal to the regime are now facing criminal charges and persecution. So, to predict whether this will be accurate or not... My team and I intend to work strictly within the legal framework; we don't plan to violate anything. We hope this will be appreciated by those making these decisions. We hope this will help us avoid persecution and pressure in the future."

How did your family and friends react to your idea? What did they say?

"Most people are supportive. And that also gives me extra strength: it's really important to me to have support from my loved ones."

Оdo they experience any fears for you, for themselves?

- Of course.

Have you had any problems with law enforcement?

"In terms of criminal prosecution, no. But at one point, I was a participant in an event called "Municipal Russia," and we were brought in to have a report drawn up for an administrative offense."

There were certain problems during the elections.

But that's just life, so to speak. Any activist sooner or later encounters obstacles, including from government officials and other organizations involved in the electoral process. But I wouldn't say these were any critical moments in my career. So, so far, so good.

Many people think nThe current elections are an illegitimate and meaningless procedure. And they say thatpart in elections legitimizes this procedure. What do you think about this?ёt?

"I'm familiar with the idea of ​​boycotting the presidential elections, and I'm very glad that people in my circle don't support it. Voting is a must."

And the fact that I or some other candidates won't participate—well, they won't be cancelled anyway. They'll just make a decision without our participation.

It's important to me to show that there is an alternative. To give people hope that democratic elections are possible here. I don't want people to become disillusioned with the electoral system. Because there's such apathy right now, such an attitude that elections are without choice, there's no alternative.

I believe in the best and I believe in our people.

There's a theory that the Kremlin will definitely nominate an anti-war candidate, whose low voter turnout will demonstrate that the Russian people are truly for the war. Are you that candidate?

“I didn’t coordinate anything with government officials—that’s for sure.”

Look at my social media and media publications and judge for yourself the consistency of my position.

How has your life changed since today's announcement that you are running for president?

"They write and call a lot. I'm talking to journalists, activists, and members of parliament. Today is a day of communication. I'm still sort of coming to terms with the news that I'm running."

I'm still fully immersed in what I've announced. I think for another day or two or three I'll feel like a process has begun, and I need to get used to it. I need to make this decision once and for all and continue working toward the result.

You seem like someone in the final stages of accepting the inevitable. Can you talk about the other stages you went through before this? According to all the laws of psychology, these should include denial, anger, bargaining, and depression.

— All processes have already been completed, this is truly the final stage.

Depression looked like this: you lie down, look at the ceiling and think.

And for me, bargaining coincided with denial. That's why, among those with whom I discussed it, there were people who said things like, "You don't need this," "You'll ruin your relationships with others," "You'll have problems in your life."

In short, these voices that were supposed to be negotiating were present in the form of real people. And it was important for me to hear others' opinions, because discussion is always important to me. In the end, many of those who were initially hesitant supported me. They came to the conclusion that this was important to do now.

At which of these stages is Russian society currently in terms of its ability to choose freely and live freely? Or rather, its impossibility.

"It's probably a stage of depression. Because people doubt everything. Most deny that elections are even possible. And in this case, it's important to voice some kind of alternative so they can move on to the next stage."

Some people find it hard to believe that I've announced my candidacy. Some have doubts, and some are already criticizing. That's normal. The main thing is for this discussion to take place. And for it to generate as many supporters as possible so that we can move into the active phase. We have a lot to do. First and foremost, we need to form an initiative group of 500 people and then collect 300 signatures.

Before I announced my decision, there were about 30 people willing to work on the team. I'm very happy that after my application, others wrote to me asking how they could help. They said, "I have such-and-such competencies."

I'm not yet ready to estimate the number of volunteers signing up on our website. I'll be able to do that in two or three days.

Are there any words or publications that pleasantly surprised you today? Or any that upset you?

"I was pleasantly surprised by so many people—even those I didn't expect. They wrote in the comments and in private messages. They said, 'We support you,' 'Well done,' 'It's crazy, but it's important,' 'We're here for you.'"

As for the negative comments, I've received so much hate over the years of civic activism... We're all human beings. Sometimes it's painful and offensive to read. But I've become so used to hate that I understand what people say, how they say it, and in what form.

In March 2019, the publication "Another Tver" accused you of becoming friends with the "Rzhev United Russia" members. Can you comment on these comments? Were you friends with United Russia?

"This publication alluded to my arrest during the Municipal Russia campaign. The police arrived just as Roizman was saying that you can't burn bridges in politics. That we grow up with different people, form friendships with them, and then they suddenly end up in United Russia, the administration, or somewhere else."

When I work as a journalist or a member of parliament, it's important to me that my work is effective. And to achieve results, I need to communicate with everyone. I'm always in favor of discussion and debate. If someone doesn't want to communicate with me for ideological reasons, that's their choice. But if people are willing to work to achieve results in terms of improving the lives of specific individuals, then that kind of interaction is important to me.

This is a normal process when a municipal deputy interacts to solve a specific problem.

Did "Other Tver" distort the information or not?

"All resources and public pages have their own goals. There are resources that just try to tear me down; they probably have some kind of goal. Any information can be distorted in any way."

Пcan you imagine Do you the scale of funds that is needed to conduct the election campaign? Are there any sources?

"We will now form a headquarters and continue to operate within the legal framework. We will use the available legal resources to raise these funds."

Today, a person's anti-war stance can at any moment lead to a whole host of criminal cases. Even the word "war" we Criminalized. How do you plan to address these issues during the election campaign?

— Only within the legal framework. What the law allows to be said will be said.

Well, I have a legal background, and I have legal consultants. Some preliminary formulations have already been written—it's clear we've been preparing. So if any questions arise, there are lawyers ready to help resolve these situations.

Will you use the word "war" in your vocabulary?

"Officially, we're conducting a special military operation. Naturally, that's the only wording. Everything else is still behind the scenes. It's important to clearly state our position and, at the same time, avoid criminal charges. I think people will understand."

How to will Collect people's votes? Any signature will represent the anti-war and independent stance of the person who submitted it. These lists could become the basis for repression by the security forces. How can you ensure the safety of these people?

"There's no need to scare anyone. I believe my rhetoric will be within the legal framework. The most important things are peace, democratic values, and free elections. Naturally, those collecting signatures will undergo specific training. We will do everything to ensure these signatures don't fall into the hands of anyone who might use them for provocation."

Signing a petition in support of a candidate's nomination for president of Russia is still legal.

These same signatures will be submitted to the electoral commission, where they can easily be confiscated by law enforcement officers.

"I don't see any point in being afraid to sign for me, because I don't intend to put anyone at risk with my position. People sign not against something, but for a specific candidate. That is, for me."

I want genuine discussion and debate to return to our country. I want people to participate as much as possible in the processes that are important to our country, starting with elections.

There's a desire for people to think. And I see our country rich in such people.

Circumstances are currently such that thinking openly is fraught with risk. I want people to stop being afraid. I want people to make decisions freely, consciously, without any doubts. I want them to live by their conscience and act as they choose.

How does this relate to your candidacy? What's stopping them from living freely and fairly without you?

"Today, as we've already said, the situation is a bit depressing, and many people are disillusioned, including with the institution of elections. I'd like to restore their hope. That they are just like people living ordinary lives in ordinary cities, with the same problems and difficulties. They are absolutely the same as most people. And they are not afraid to think, speak, and participate in what they want to participate in."

There's no need to despair. We need to shake things up a bit and start taking action to make our country truly better.

Tikhanovskaya's experience in Belarus has shown that protecting votes is more difficult than collecting them. Are you considering this? How will you protect your votes in a situation where polling station monitoring is virtually nonexistent?

"Of course, the situation here is tense. I really hope that the team that exists and will be formed will do everything, together with me, to preserve and defend these votes."

How are you better than Putin?

"I wouldn't make any comparisons at all. I don't think about Putin at all. I'm only thinking about people getting an alternative."

How can you compare me to a man who has been running the country for many years? It's probably not entirely fair. Am I better or worse? I convey values ​​that differ from those he proclaims.

I want to add warmth, peace, love. Breathe new life into it. Some kind of feminine message. Some kind of softness.

This is what distinguishes [him from Putin].

And it will be the people at the polling stations who decide whether it is better or worse.

Tell us briefly about your experience that you will use?

"From my experience participating in elections, I can say the following. It's important to communicate with people, to show them that I'm a real person, not some figurehead who's just making promises. Show them that I speak their language and understand their problems."

The experience of participating in elections taught me how to build a team, an active core. It taught me not to shy away from difficulties and even defeats. It taught me to accept what people sometimes write about me on social media or say to my face, and to do so without negativity, which isn't always possible for everyone.

But the most important experience is to maintain human qualities within yourself and not become a robot.

You've been part of a search and rescue team for many years. Do you think Russia is lost too? Should it be searched for and rescued?

"We need to find ourselves. And help others find themselves. And Russia is where it's at."

Photo: Ekaterina Duntsova's VKontakte page