MOSCOW, July 22 (RIA Novosti) - A 37-year-old man from Guinea-Bissau is bidding to become Russia's first black elected official, Russian media reported on Wednesday.
Dubbed the "Volgograd Obama," Joachim Crima is standing in district elections in south Russia's Volgograd Region.
"I was born in Africa, but I have lived in the district for 12 years and feel practically Russian," the watermelon seller said. "I have a son here and this is why I cannot be indifferent to the fate of the region."
"I want to make the lives of people who I consider my compatriots better. I am ready to work from morning until evening to resolve their problems. In other words, I am ready to toil like a negro," he said
The newsru.com website said Crima was using the common Russian expression for working hard as his campaign slogan.
Elections are due on October 11.
Digg
Reddit
Stumbleupon
Delicious
Facebook
