Astrakhan voters assessed the prospects for protest voting

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Residents of Astrakhan named the main problems in the region and the country as fuel shortages, poverty among the population, and rising prices, while they assessed the prospects for protest voting in the elections skeptically.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", from September 18 to 20, elections for deputies of the State Duma of the IX convocation and the Duma of the Astrakhan region of the VIII convocation will take place. Analysts believe that the protest potential in the region is unlikely to manifest in the elections.

Residents of Astrakhan told the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot" what problems concern them during the elections. The published comments are not a public opinion poll, do not claim to be representative, and do not have a representative nature.

It is clear that they discussed problems at gas stations

Animal rights volunteer Tatyana said that she voted on September 18 in the afternoon. At the polling station, she did not see a large queue - about 10 people were in front of her at the ballot distribution tables. The woman did not notice any incidents. According to her, the atmosphere at the election commission was calm. Tatyana spent no more than half an hour at the polling station. "Well, what were people talking about there? It is clear that they discussed problems at gas stations. Well, my husband and I were driving from Narimanovo this morning. There was gasoline at the gas stations. The queues were small - 10-15 cars. For how long? What will happen after the elections?" - Tatyana wonders.

Tatyana's husband Oleg stated that it is necessary to vote. He is against spoiling ballots and boycotting the elections. The man believes that the difficult situation in the country's and region's economy is not particularly acute. "We live normally. We have a roof over our heads, fuel at gas stations, work, and good salaries. Prices are rising, yes. But for now, everything is available in stores," - the man said.

We adhere to an agreed voting tactic. We will try to document everything on camera

Civic activist, student, who introduced himself as Dmitry, stated that he intends to come to the polling station at noon on September 20. He noted that other students will come with him. "We adhere to an agreed voting tactic. We will try to document everything on camera... There are problems in the region. The main one is fuel chaos, then the impoverishment of the masses and rising prices everywhere. There are problems with ecology, and the situation worsens every year: fires in the city, pollution of nature by enterprises," - said the activist.

As an example, he cited three fires that occurred on September 18 in the region: two in Astrakhan and one in Akhtubinsk, and the annual fines imposed by Rosprirodnadzor on Gazprom for environmental pollution. Dmitry noticed that at the polling stations near his house, he observed long queues after lunch - about 30 people. "It seems that budget employees were summoned," - the activist suggested.

The improvement in the city's gasoline supply was also noted by a minibus driver who introduced himself as Damir. However, he also reported that at the gas station located on Admiral Nakhimov Street, he observed a lack of gasoline. Damir plans to vote in the evening (September 18) just before the polling station closes. "After work, I will stop by to vote. And on Saturday, I have a day off. I won't have time to vote. There is a lot of work at home," - he noted.

Fifty-year-old utility engineer Nikolai Kurychev said that he voted on the morning of September 18 right after the polling station opened. Many "budget employees" came to the opening of the election commission. "There were about 30 people in front of me. Then about 10 more people took their place in line behind me... The people who came were silent. They hardly talked about politics. They argued about the opening of the hunting season (September 26). They discussed whether fines for illegal hunting would increase. Women complained about rising prices in grocery stores," - Nikolai said.

Those who are appointed by the leaders of our country will come to power again

He believes that there will be no mass protest voting in the Astrakhan region, and he called the elections a relic. "Everyone understands perfectly what the result (of the elections) will be. Those who are appointed by the leaders of our country will come to power again. Elections have become like this 15 years ago. An alternative will not be allowed in parliament," - the interlocutor believes.

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