A presidential bid by a celebrity Russian TV host drew conflicting reaction from the country’s beleaguered opposition October 19, with some accusing her of playing into the Kremlin’s hands and others welcoming her move.
Though President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, denied that the Kremlin has encouraged Ksenia Sobchak to run, some opposition figures say her move would allow the government to counter voter apathy and at the same time sow discord in opposition ranks.
