U.S. actor Steven Seagal has said he would like to run for governor in a Russian region in which the latest elections were declared invalid due to violations.
The Russian Foreign Ministry appointed Seagal, who is a Russian passport-holder, as its special representative for Russian-U.S. humanitarian ties last month, tasking him with improving cultural, art and youth relations between the two countries.
Seagal waded into Russian politics again on Wednesday when he was asked at a film festival in Vladivostok about the upcoming elections in the Far East region of Primorye.
New elections have been declared in the region following widespread violations in voting earlier this month.
“I want to learn more about the Primorye region. And become your governor,” Seagal was quoted as saying by Interfax when asked if he would consider a gubernatorial run.
“I represent the interests of President [Vladimir] Putin,” the actor added.
The head of Russia’s Central Election Commission, Ella Pamfilova, told the Govorit Moskva radio station that Seagal has the right to run for office as a Russian passport-holder, but that he may be barred from doing so if he holds more than one citizenship.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
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 every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
