Moscow — Former world chess champion Garry Kasparov entered Russia’s presidential race Sunday, elected overwhelmingly as the candidate for the country’s beleaguered opposition coalition.
Kasparov has been a driving force behind the coalition, which has united liberals, leftists and nationalists in opposing President Vladimir Putin. He received 379 of 498 votes at a national congress held in Moscow by the Other Russia coalition, a spokeswoman said.
Kasparov’s place on the March ballot was not assured. His candidacy must be registered and is likely to be blocked. Even if he were allowed to run, Kasparov would not be expected to pose a major challenge to whichever candidate wins Putin’s backing.
The Other Russia also chose Kasparov as one of three candidates for parliamentary elections in December. The coalition, however, has virtually no chance of participating in the election for the State Duma, the lower house of parliament. Only registered political parties can take part, and none of the political movements that make up the Other Russia qualify.
Duma seats are distributed among parties according to the percentage of votes they get.
