It is not that unusual. The United States had a president who jumpedinto politics after starring in a slew of Hollywood films. And the U.S.Congress currently has several actors-turned-politicians. But that is whereparallels end.
The latest entrant on Russian political stage, Nikita Mikhalkov - unlikeformer US president Ronald Reagan - is actually well respected for hisdirectorial and acting prowess (as opposed to his political acumen).
The media began widely discussing Mikhalkov's possible candidacy forthe post of Russian president after Alexander Shokhin, the ousted leaderof the Our Home Russia (NDR) State Duma faction, raised the possibilityof Mikhalkov's big political future on January 19.
Since then, journalists have been asking politicians, businessmen,artists, and ordinary people about a possible Mikhalkov run. More oftenthan not, the answer has been 'Why not?'
Mikhalkov has not formally declared his candidacy, but the writingis on the wall. He was quoted recently by the London Sunday Times as saying,"I'm not seeking power and I'm not eager to rule the people. But if I feelthat the people really need me as president, I will seriously think itover.'
Tycoon Boris Berezovskii says he would support a Mikhalkov candidacy."He cares about Russia," Berezovskii says. But Mikhalkov was quick to distancehimself from the high-profile wheeler-dealer and emphatically denied anyconnections with him.
"I'm a party of my own," Mikhalkov said almost immediately after Shokhin'ssensational announcement.
Some analysts believe that if Mikhalkov does run, he will probablydo well enough to come in high during a first round of balloting.
If a candidate with enough votes in early balloting has little chanceof winning the presidency, he may still be able to act as spoiler or kingmaker.A third runner-up may also use his position to acquire a top governmentpost.
But early speculation on Mikhalkov's candidacy by Yabloko party leadershas been less than rosy.
Party member Sergei Ivanenko said of his chances, "...[a] presidentialcandidate has to be known to the people Ñ not just that the peopleknow him by sight. What is really important is that the people know hisintentions and plans, I mean as a head of state."
NDR leader Vladimir Ryzhkov sounded more upbeat: 'Mikhalkov is themost skilled and experienced politician in the Russian creative community.'
Political watchers are not even trying to speculate about whether Mikhalkovwill win the election outright. Most believe that there will two roundsof balloting. In any case, Mikhalkov can use his current status to putpressure on Prime Minister Evgenii Primakov without having to actuallydeclare his intentions. Few, however, would mind a new face on the Russianpolitical landscape.