Vladimir Zhirinovsky

Vice Chairman of the State Duma, Russia

(April 26, 1946-)

Vladimir found himself at the forefront of Russian politics after studying law at Moscow State University and followed by a lengthy career in the Russian Army.  He co-founded the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia under the Communist regime in 1990.  It was the first opposition party in the USSR.  While the tile can be misleading the party, is extremely conservative and is nearest the end of the right-wing.

Like the LDPR, Zhirinovsky's supports Russian Ultra-Nationalism (which borders on Fascism) and conservative economic policies.  Zhirinovsky has taken a strong stance against the United States and further Western culture.  He has shown support for a united Russia, defined by a strong Caucasian populous.  He has created multiple policies which would call for deportation of millions of Chinese and Japanese immigrants.

In 1991, Zhirinovsky came in third in Russia's first presidential election where he got more than 6 million votes.  The LDPR reached its peak support in 1993 when Zhirinovsky ran for president again, this time against Yeltsin.  This success caused Western observers to scrutinize his boorish, bullying behaviour and to take more seriously his rhetoric and views, which included a promise to create a dictatorship and give everyone free vodka when elected president.

The LDPR has not placed better than third in parliamentary elections since 1999.  In 2000, he ascended to Vice Chairman of the State Duma and has held that position to this day. Zhirinovsky won less than 10% of the vote in the 2000 and 2008 presidential elections.  He has most recently trademarked his surname, and created a brand of vodka and ice-cream under the brand "Zhirinovsky".