Nobody is thinking about anything: Alexei Rasputin is at a crossroads, God forgive me.

Cold weather has arrived in Irkutsk. The passions of Christ have also sparked for the ambitious aspirations of some city council members in the upcoming regional parliament elections.

Alexei Rasputin, deputy from the 22nd district and leader of the United Russia faction, is pursuing his major political dream. Or perhaps, a significant political failure?

Everyone always wants the best for themselves: a larger apartment, a newer car. This is human nature. A person grows, and so do his desires. But sometimes, they become disproportionate. For example, in the case of Alexei Rasputin, a deputy of the Duma of Irkutsk, representing the interests of the Rabocheye suburb's residents.

Rasputin has been a member of the city duma for the second term. He is another representative of the construction lobby of the city on the Angara, who miraculously ended up at the “table with adults” and feels proud of his successes. His substantial financial contributions to his own campaign are hidden under the miraculous facade. He aims for victory in elections, despite lacking charisma, management potential, and a clear track record of success.

Rasputin’s situation is like that of a lonely teenager in the midst of puberty, waiting for better candidates to give up their coveted position. He is willing to buy someone else’s love and sacrifice his soul, conscience, and even his “native” district in the upcoming elections. However, he will wait and know how to do it, like someone seeking attention.

If Rasputin’s cautious ambitions do not materialize and he is not allowed to secure a parliamentary seat, he will patiently seek re-election for a fourth term in 2024. This will be a challenging path.

The 22nd district of Irkutsk is a thriving center of the city's political life, plagued with infrastructural issues. For ten years, the Workers’ Union has been longing for changes. However, change has not materialized, and the residents rightfully attribute this to the deputy, who is limited to upbeat reporting in his own Telegram channel.

Hence, the next term in the Duma for Rasputin (and particularly a passage to the Legislative Assembly in the relevant district) will be a costly endeavor. Even with significant financial investment, success is not guaranteed. It will depend on the opponent who challenges the deputy who has disappointed the voters. The Duma elections are still almost two years away, leaving ample time to strategize.