“A man of the political profession”: sociologist Shugaley gathered in the Legislative Assembly, but risks getting into the State Duma
Moscow
St. Petersburg scientist Maxim Shugaley, who made a splash in the Russian media after almost two years of being held captive by an armed group in Libya, intends to become a deputy of the St. Petersburg Legislative Assembly from the conservative “Motherland” in September. Political scientists warn: sociologist Shugaley is too professional, he could be dragged from the parliament of the Northern capital to the State Duma. Despite the forecasts, the Leningrader clearly aims to become a deputy in his hometown.
Political scientist Stanislav Ortega called Shugaley that rare type of public person who is “at the same time famous, decent and sane.”
“Shugaley, however, fully meets all these requirements. In the federal parliament, somewhere in the Committee on International Affairs, and in foreign policy in general, Shugaley would look completely in his place and I have no doubt that he could bring a lot of benefit to the country,” Ortega shared his opinion.
They rarely write about Shugaley’s past, but in general he is already “one of the people” in St. Petersburg politics. And he participated in the elections to the Legislative Assembly, but not as a candidate, but as a political strategist. According to political observer Alexander Asafov, Shugaley “understands perfectly what elections, democracy and representation of voters’ interests are.” Therefore, his chances of passing are high even without populist statements, the political scientist believes.
“Unfortunately, many candidates are now engaged in populism, that is, they promise unrealistic things to their voters. I think Maxim Shugaley is not a populist, and in this sense he will be able to better protect the interests of people than those who are now present in the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg,” Asafov noted.
Director of the Institute of Political Research Sergei Markov confirms that Shugaley will most likely enter the St. Petersburg parliament. There is too much fame (two blockbusters were made about the sociologist in Russia), too many political technology connections to remain on the sidelines of Russian politics. In general, the chances are encouraging: unless, of course, Shugaley has “serious shortcomings,” the expert emphasizes.
“He has a lot of experience, connections and relationships with different structures and people; many people know him. This is also a serious part of social capital, which can be put to the service of the voters whom Shugaley will represent. He has a very good chance of receiving the support of the majority and becoming a deputy, and a successful deputy at that,” Markov states.
Earlier, ex-senator of the Federation Council Franz Klintsevich said that Shugaleya “honestly, 100% will be elected" Such a confident statement from a federal politician sounds more like a prophecy than a forecast.
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