Cat named Barsik more popular than 6 mayoral candidates in Siberian city

spaminator

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Cat named Barsik more popular than 6 mayoral candidates in Siberian city
The Associated Press
First posted: Saturday, December 19, 2015 07:43 PM EST | Updated: Saturday, December 19, 2015 07:49 PM EST
BARNAUL, Russia -- Tired of the dog-eat-dog politics in their Russian city, the residents of Barnaul say they want a cat to be their next mayor.
The Siberian city of 650,000 people, which lies 2,900 kilometres (1,800 miles) east of Moscow, is to get a new mayor next week when a commission comprising the city council and the regional governor choose from among six candidates.
But none of the six appear to spark much affection among Barnaul's residents. An informal online poll asking residents to express their preferences among the six and a Siamese cat named Barsik showed the feline nabbing more than 90% of the vote.
Barsik has attracted much amused attention in the Russian news media. Still, some local politicians understand there's a more serious message coming from the people of Barnaul, which like many Russian cities has been riddled with alleged corruption.
"Through the image of Barsik the cat, our people are sending definite wishes to the future head of Barnaul," says regional Gov. Alexander Karlin.
"The conclusion has been made that there's absolutely no trust among voters for any of the candidates," said local Communist Party official, Ivan Karpov.
A Siamese cat named Barsik in Barnaul, The Siberian city of 650,000 people, which lies 2,900 kilometers (1,800 miles) east of Moscow, Russia, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2015, and it seems the residents of Barnaul want Barsik the cat to be their next mayor. An informal online poll asking the residents to express their preferences among the six official candidates and the Siamese cat named Barsik, showed the feline nabbing more than 90 percent of the vote. (AltaiOnline/Photo via AP)

Cat named Barsik more popular than 6 mayoral candidates in Siberian city | Weird
 

Blackleaf

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That's nothing.

Winnie the pig was put forward as a candidate in the 2000 London mayoral election after leading a farmer’s protest outside parliament. She drew up a “10-oink plan” for the capital and arrived at the returning officer’s HQ on a trailer towed by a Reliant Robin - only to be told her nomination couldn’t be accepted due to being non-human. In the end, and rather unfortunately, Labour's "Red" Ken Livingstone was elected London Mayor, despite the fact that Winnie's policies were far more sensible than those of the Left-winger.




In 2002, Hartlepool elected H'Angus the Monkey - Hartlepool United FC's mascot - as its mayor. He served until 2013, becoming the first mayor in Britain to serve three consecutive terms. H'Angus takes his name from the fact that residents of Hartlepool are known as Monkey Hangers.

 

Blackleaf

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'Just another pig' was the message unless the pig cleaned the place up.

The 2000 London mayoral elections were the first London mayoral elections in history. In 2000, Red Ken became London's first-ever mayor.