World Press on Alexey Navalny's mayoral campaign (July 30, 2013)

The German newspaper Die Welt has published an article by Julia Smirnova headlined "Ändere Russland, beginne mit Moskau" ("Change Russia, Start with Moscow") devoted to Alexey Navalny's mayoral campaign.

The Russian opposition leader and founder of the Fund for the Struggle against Corruption, Alexey Navalny, was found guilty of embezzlement soon after he announced that would run for Moscow's mayor as a candidate from the liberal People's Freedom Party. The case has been repeatedly condemned as politically motivated by the Russian opposition, human rights advocates and international watchdogs.

According to Smirnova, the atmosphere in Navalny's headquarters is like in a new but rapidly-developing company. It's full of gifted and ambitious young people who are eager to change the political situation in the country.

There are lot of volunteers ready to take part in Navalny's campaign, she says. However, the majority of them don't have the necessary experience. "Practically no one has ever took part in an election campaign," Smirnova cites Navalny's aide Maxim Katz as saying.

The author of the article does not believe in Navalny's victory, but thinks that this campaign will increase his popularity and show voters that their role in politics is greater than one usually believes.