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Playmate in Parliament: How can Playboy model become politically active.

06.15 Diposting oleh Unknown

One of results of last russian parliamentary elections was that one of Playboy models, who appeared couple of years previously in magazine, became member of Parliament. And that is not joke. And it is not the only case of deep involvement of erotic photo shoot model to big russian political games. Just before US 2012 Vote CBB made proper investigation, studying all possible sources to understand that exposing oneself publicly for any magazine doesn't mean putting any social limit in modern society.

Russian Parliamentary democracy is a definitely young formation, existing over last 20 years, and this have some impact on difference of Russian political system with other models existing in Europe and Americas.

During recent parliamentary vote, which took place at December 4 2011, current ruling party United Russia maintained its top position in Federal Assembly gaining 49% 238 places, which is dramatically less than 4 years before, party lost 77 places. But that is still enough to be labeled ‘only ruling party’. Other political forces got much more modest results. Communists – 19 %, 92 places, Just Russia – 13%, 64 places, Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) – 11%, 56 places. Bored? Now let’s add some spice.

Before elections leading party United Russia added to their candidates list some celebrities, including 27-years old Maria Kozhevnikova, who previously appeared on pages of Playboy September 2009 issue, showing her looks without censorship and shyness. And though party lost 77 places in lower chamber called Duma, Playmate Maria was listed high enough to be one of the 238 United Russia Parliament members. She became member of sixth Russian Parliament two year after posing for Playboy, becoming responsible for legislative power and laws it issues. She also was included to Parliament's natural resources committee.

Before appearing in Playboy, young actress was famous only with her part (she had since 2008 to 2011) in Russian TNT channel sitcom series ‘Varsity’. She never had any big roles in movie. She hardly could be labeled as A-list entertainment Russian star. List which will undoubtedly consist of names like Dima Bilan and Vera Brezhneva (pop singers), Ivan Urgant and Larisa Guzeeva (TV hosts), Sergey Bezrukov and Svetlana Khodchenkova (actors), in difference to United Russia candidates list would not have inclusion of Maria Kozhevnikova.

In this situation people of older generation, most of whom never watched TNT’s ‘Varsity’, understood that they voted for playmate only after elections. And if no one talks too much about Playboy photo shoot of Svetlana Khodchenkova, that is because there is a lot of her things to talk to like leading roles in biggest Russian movie projects and some parts in foreign movies like ‘Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy’ with Gary Oldman. Maria Kozhevnikova is another case. Star status of miss Kozhevnikova before entering parliament was entirely based on part in sitcom and appearance in Playboy (not taking in account little interviews and TV cameos).

Case of miss Kozhevnikova is not the only one. Russian young and famous ladies have a ticket to political ride in Russian Federation. Now 33-years old Svetlana Khorkina is a person who has three governmental decorations (order of Friendship, order of Honor, Merit for the motherland order). She was elected as United Russia candidate and became parliament member in 2007, still holding position. At October 6 2012 she was appointed as referent of Control Council of Russian President. Svetlana appeared both in Playboy and Maxim magazines. Her photo shoot for Playboy was published in November 1997, 10-years before she was elected as Parliament member.

But frequently speaking, Svetlana is one of the most respected people of Russia. It’s enough to say that she is multiple Olympic and world champion in artistic gymnastics. Now she is vice-president of Russian Gymnastics Federation. In her hometown Belgorod there is even sport center bearing her name, with statue of her standing high in front of entrance. And she is one of very few recognizable people of Belgorod region together with Feodor Emelyanenko (mix-fight champion).

Another political-erotical story is about Anna Chapman. Anna was arrested by US authorities in June 2010 for collaborating with Russian spy services. This was the moment her celebrity status begins. After spending some time in jail she was returned to Russia together with other 9 suspects. Group was exchanged for 4 Russian citizens/American spies. This other nine never gained any additional publicity, but Anna became star. She lost her possibility to visit USA and her British citizenship, but was able to send message overseas. After some time Vice President Joe Biden would find himself watching her Maxim photo shoot during one of TV shows. And when host would ask him ‘Do we have such hot agents in CIA?’ would answer: ‘That hot. No’. On official session FBI claimed Anna was trying to seduce one of the people nearest to President and she was very close.

Anna appeared in many Russian TV shows and on pages of Playboy January 2011 issue. The same way as her photo shoot for Maxim (For Your Eyes Only) her playboy appearance was titled with name of bond movie - The Spy Who Loved Me. Then United Russia noticed her growing popularity and she was asked to become part of social council of Molodaya Gvardia (Young Guard), organization created by United Russia as analog of Soviet Union’s KomSoMol, which aim is to prepare young people for future political activities and which is exactly that organization which promoted Kozhevnikova’s political career. Also Anna became TV host, Bank counselor and editor in chief of ‘Venture Business News’ magazine. Some sources say that she declined proposal of Vivid Entertainment to act in porn movie for $1m pay.

Another Playboy model Ksenia Sobchak has many reasons to be famous. Her father was first mayor of Saint-Petersbourgh, her motherwas upper Parliament chamber member (dissmissed in october). TV host (of the same TNT channel), actress, socialite, savage brand model and principal figure in many scandals, she is undoubtedly one of the most famous Russian women. So that is why Maxim and Palyboy was so interested in her, and gave them yes for appearing on covers. And today she positions herself like one of the most active leaders of unofficial opposition. After she took this position Russian authorities seized approximately $1,5m in cash claiming they suspect she can use it illegal for actions of opposition and tax violation. But when nothing of this was proved she had her money back.

Masha Malinovskaya is a kind of celebrity who benefits a lot from her looks. This TV star met LDPR leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky on one of TV shows. Man with his political charisma was able to persuade her to become LDPR member and in 2005 she became Belgorod region Parliament (region Duma - Russian analog of state assembly) member. Three years late in 2008 she was excluded from party and Belgorod Duma, but not because of her Playboy photo shoot (which was published in December 2009). Riding through glamorous places of Russia and world like Rublevka and Milan she forgot she should visit Duma meetings at least sometimes.

Famous Russian ballet dancer and socialite Anastasia Volochkova was United Russia member and even candidate for mayor of Sochi (Olympic venue 2014). But when uncensored photos featuring her nude appeared in media she went out of ruling party, saying that is because of her colleagues’ reaction for scandalous photo shoot. So is it true that party member may only appear nude before entering party (like deputies Kozhevnikova and Khorkina did) and after it is impossible?

Imagine a situation after some years from now miss October 2012 Pamela Horton becoming US senate member and Playboy model and swimming Olympic champion Amanda Beard becoming part of some US Control Committee, together with Kim Kardashian claiming herself as opposition media leader… That is exactly what happened in Russia. Young Russian ruling party don’t think it is wrong to involve some famous young people actively in political process, no matter if they have no any political and economical education and wide experience in area. Such people like Kozhevnikova are used to attract young generation to vote for the party, and like media speechmakers.

So may be Playboy is a real political power or able to be that one? Not for sure, at least not in US. I consider that existence of such beauties as Pamela Horton and Amanda Beard is another provement that USA is a great nation and country, but at least it will be just funny if some political force of that kind will appear. Bunny as alternative number three to donkey and elephant. It can have name like Playmates party or Bikini party or something else and may be Hugh Hefner as its leader. And as Mr. Hefner has too much other important things to do perspective is vague.