Navalny Is Nominated by Hundreds to Challenge Putin for Russian Presidency<br />24, 2017<br />MOSCOW — Hundreds of supporters of the Russian opposition leader Aleksei A. Navalny nominated him for president on Sunday, allowing him to ready the endorsement papers required for candidacy<br />and putting pressure on the Kremlin to allow him to run.<br />The election authorities observed the endorsement process,<br />and Mr. Navalny’s representatives planned to file the nomination papers with the Russian Election Commission later Sunday.<br />Expressing confidence that he would win the presidential election if allowed to run, Mr. Navalny<br />called on his supporters to boycott the vote if the election authorities refuse to register him.<br />Svetlana Sorokina, 41, a biologist, said it was important to show the Kremlin<br />that "there are many people like us." Nearby, police officers warned the crowd through loudspeakers they were breaking the law and threatened to disperse the rally.<br />Mr. Navalny, one of the most formidable foes President Vladimir V. Putin has faced during 18 years in power, is prohibited from seeking political office<br />because of a criminal conviction that is largely viewed as retribution.<br />Election officials were expected to accept Mr. Navalny’s paperwork on Sunday, but it is highly unlikely<br />that they will allow him to proceed to the signature-gathering stage.
