There are 117 candidates vying for the people’s vote in the Republic of Tatarstan. Among them is Olympic champion and Deputy Chairman of the State Duma’s Youth Affairs Committee Alina Kabaeva. In an interview with ER.RU she explains why she has decided to continue working in the State Duma.
Alina Maratovna, why have you decided to take part in the primaries? And why did you choose this region?
I’d like to continue my work in the Duma. And I didn’t even consider the question or whether or not to take part in the primaries, because the primaries are obligatory for anyone who wants to represent the United Russia party in the next Duma.
To answer your second question, I was initially elected to represent the Republic of Tatarstan and the town of Nizhnekamsk is now my constituency. I’d like to continue looking after this region in the future, because I’ve become close to it over the years. I’ve already achieve quite a lot, but there are still lots of things to finish off.
Which district are you planning to run in, and when?
The primaries are being held in Tatarstan from July until the middle of August. I’ll be taking part in the meetings in 5 districts: Nurlat, which includes the Alkeevskiy district – a special place for me because my grandfather was born there. I think it’s a good omen that my first meeting with the voters will be held there, that’s on 29th July. I’m also going to take part in the Nizhnekamsk primaries, because that’s my constituency, as well as the Bugulminsky, Almetyevsk and Naberezhny Chelny districts.
How do you rate your chances of winning the popular vote?
It’s not up to me to say. Only the people can judge my work. But in four years at the Duma I’ve achieved a lot; I also have a number of plans and projects that I’d like to get moving if I’m elected to the next Duma. So I’m simply going to tell people about what I’ve achieved so far and my plans for the future. I think the list is good enough for the voters to see me as a worthy candidate to represent the party in the next Duma.
Do you think the primaries give more people the opportunity to take part in the country’s political affairs?
The primaries definitely give a wider range of people the opportunity to take part in the State Duma elections, and it’s a great opportunity to get public organizations as well as political parties involved in the country’s political affairs. The primaries also make the procedure for including people in the list of election candidates clear and transparent.
