'Russia's Paris Hilton' to challenge Vladimir Putin for presidency

Kremlin sources suggest she’s the ideal candidate – and likely to draw support away from opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Ksenia Sobchak

Oliver Carroll
© © Independent.co.uk

“The decision is made,” reads the text Ksenia Sobchak is due to deliver on Russian TV. “Enough silence, I’ve thought about it for months … I intend to be the candidate for those who want to vote against everyone.”

The declaration of intent ends weeks of speculation as to whether the journalist, socialite, famous daughter and yet-more-famous-goddaughter would run in presidential elections next March. The talk that Ms Sobchak was considering a presidential bid – against the public advice of fellow liberal opposition politician Alexei Navalny – had electrified Russia’s somnambulant political circles. The news that she will run will be seen as a blow to Mr Navalny’s hopes, and a split in the opposition now seems likely.