Russian politician posing toppless for campaign shots

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Russian politician posing toppless for campaign shots

The aspiring politician made headlines by posing toppless for campaign shots.

A candidate for the Vladivostok city council in Russia's Far-East has become a local internet sensation after using a semi-naked picture of himself on campaign ads. Some online commentators compared Andrey Fesik to GigaChad, a popular internet meme, representing an ultra-masculine male.

Fesik's leap to fame came earlier this month when a poster prepared for his campaign was uploaded online. It featured a topless photo of the muscled candidate and a slogan promising that the city is going to be in firm hands if he is elected on September 11.

The 35-year-old bodybuilder who is employed as a trainer at a local gym is running for the Liberal Democratic Party LDPR The party, which is often described as ultra-nationalist and populist, currently holds 21 seats in the Russian parliament. The LDPR has been around since the early 1990s and was headed by Vladimir Zhirinovsky, who passed away earlier this year due to complications from Covid- 19.

Fesik is responsible for implementing national projects in culture and sport in the region.

Internet users viewed Fesik's Instagram page and discovered more spicy images there. Those who attracted the most attention included him sporting a kitchen apron and reading a newspaper in a revealing gown.

The aspiring politician was asked to block access to the account and delete some of the more controversial photos because of the heightened attention. Fesik told Gazeta.ru last week that his promotional pictures appeared on the internet by accident and that the poster with his topless photo was just one of many possible choices that hadn't been approved yet.

He said that his team decided to add a touch of irony and sarcasm because the people are tired of formulaic candidates and slogans.

The voter wants to see real people with a healthy sense of humor. We already have a lot of serious men in jackets, and what s the good of that? He said something.

Fesik has also confirmed that it was not a stunt and that he is an actual candidate who has already been registered to take part in the election.