Candidate for governor launches campaign inspired by the TV show ‘Game of Thrones’

A candidate for the governorship of Russia’s northern Khanty-Mansiysk region has launched a campaign inspired by the television show Game of Thrones. The candidate Mikhail Serdyuk is featured on billboards along with the slogan “Winter is coming.”

Before the billboards appeared, the slogan “Winter is coming” was spray-painted using a stencil on the pavement all over the capital city of Khanty-Mansiysk region, causing concern among local residents. Several days later, the billboards with the candidate’s face looming in the darkness appeared. The billboards say “Winter is coming. Vote for the new governor, Mikhail Serdyuk.”

Elections all across Russia will take place on September 13, 2015, on general Election Day.

For a photo series about Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia’s biggest oil-rich region, see Siberia’s Texas Preserving tradition in Russia’s biggest oil-rich region. A photo series 

The campaign office of the candidate explained that “Winter is not just a season of the year, but also a time full of hardships, a series of ordeals, a test of loyalty. Yugra is a rugged northern region, and people here prepare for the winter carefully and in advance.”