She’s running
October 25, 2020 2:40 AM   Subscribe

A Russian mayor, Nikolai Loktev, needed someone to run against him to make the election look legitimate. After everyone else refused, he made Marina Udgodskaya, who cleaned city hall, run. Then she won (NYT).
posted by adrianhon (12 comments total) 26 users marked this as a favorite
 
Ms. Lokteva said that her husband never really wanted to be mayor and never clung to power. He now blames her for encouraging him to run twice, and for the way things turned out. “He always says, ‘You got me into this.’”
Man Feels Like Girlfriend Hasn’t Been Putting Effort Into His Appearance Lately
posted by flabdablet at 6:11 AM on October 25, 2020 [22 favorites]


In Russia, City Hall cleans you.
posted by chavenet at 7:06 AM on October 25, 2020 [17 favorites]


I hope the village is insignificant enough that they let her be and she doesn't get in trouble for winning.
posted by M. at 7:07 AM on October 25, 2020 [8 favorites]


I hope this is such small potatoes that nothing happens to Udgodskaya.

My local council is de facto one-party rule. As far as I can tell there's always going to be a supermajority for the Labour party, and in many elections every councillor is Labour. The real democracy happens in the decision about who gets to be the Labour party candidate - and I know that if I wanted to have more of a say locally on my elected representatives I'd need to join the Labour party.
posted by plonkee at 7:08 AM on October 25, 2020 [2 favorites]


I hope the village is insignificant enough that they let her be and she doesn't get in trouble for winning.

It is a strange story, both highlighting the hypocrisy and also a feel good / underdog story. "See!? Sometimes at the casino you win!"
posted by Meatbomb at 7:20 AM on October 25, 2020 [2 favorites]


That reporter and photographer went all the way out to Povalikhino, hoping to find some kind of bellwether for electoral rebellion among Russians or something, and people there were just 'meh':
In an interview, she said she was never interested in politics and had no idea whether her story reflected any larger issues. “I like farming,” she said.
Or perhaps Marina Udgodskaya is Pu, the uncarved block, and we should all be taking notes.
posted by LooseFilter at 8:36 AM on October 25, 2020 [2 favorites]


I like this sequel to Leviathan.
posted by doctornemo at 8:44 AM on October 25, 2020 [3 favorites]


Ms. Lokteva said that her husband never really wanted to be mayor and never clung to power. He now blames her for encouraging him to run twice, and for the way things turned out. “He always says, ‘You got me into this.’”

Macbeth as a Chekhov comedy.
posted by Grangousier at 9:11 AM on October 25, 2020 [9 favorites]


As a first order of business — after finding her replacement as cleaner, that is — she plans to bring streetlights to the village, she said, something that people have long been asking for.

Village safety and comfort. Being responsive. Keep it up, Udgodskaya!
posted by amanda at 10:54 AM on October 25, 2020 [10 favorites]


Fun fact: Not everyone subscribes to the New York Times.
posted by Flock of Cynthiabirds at 12:54 PM on October 25, 2020 [5 favorites]




This is both awful and hilarious and ridiculous and above all else, I hope this poor lady doesn't get murdered.

God, Russia, I can't even.
posted by jenfullmoon at 1:40 PM on October 25, 2020


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