Former TV journalist Yekaterina Duntsova has lost her appeal to run against President Vladimir Putin in Russia's presidential election next March, after officials barred her.
Ms Duntsova had promoted a vision of a "humane" Russia "that's peaceful, friendly and ready to cooperate with everyone on the principle of respect".
The tight control Mr Putin has established over 24 years in power makes his re-election in the vote all but assured.
Prominent critics who could challenge him are either in prison or living abroad, and most independent media has been banned.
Over the weekend, Russia's Central Election Commission refused to accept Ms Duntsova's initial nomination by a group of supporters, citing errors in the paperwork, including spelling.
On Wednesday, Russia's Supreme Court rejected her appeal against the commission's decision.
After losing her appeal, Ms Duntsova said she would start working on the creation of her own political party which would stand for "peace, freedom and democracy".
"We will win the right to live without fear, speak freely and feel confident about the future," she said on Telegram.
Ms Duntsova has asked the leaders of the liberal Yabloko political party to nominate her as a candidate, but its founder, Grigory Yavlinsky, cold-shouldered the idea.
The Russian Communist Party, the second largest in the lower house of Parliament, has nominated veteran politician Nikolai Kharitonov.
The communists and other factions in the lower house, also known as the State Duma, represent only token opposition and generally support Mr Putin's course.
The Civic Initiative party — which is not represented in the Duma — backed the nomination of independent candidate Boris Nadezhdin, who has spoken out against Russia's actions in Ukraine.
Ms Duntsova urged her supporters to help Mr Nadezhdin collect signatures to qualify for the race.
By AP
Original article link: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-28/yekaterina-duntsova-loses-appeal-to-run-in-2024-russian-election/103268622
