UNDETERRABLE: Zhirinovsky Launches Sixth Presidential Run With Party-Wide Support
Liberal Democrats have elected their presidential candidate at the Party Congress. No big surprises here, Vladimir Zhirinovsky, the unchallenged party leader has received the majority of votes. The party members have supported him unanimously. It's going to be the sixth Zhirinovsky's presidential campaign. This time, his program comprises 100 paragraphs. It is called "A Giant Leap Forward".
What does it mean? Let's listen to Alexey Petrov.
An image of the unchallenged leader meets party members at the entrance to the hall. It's a unique chance to get a photo with Vladimir Zhirinovsky. It's just a print on a cardboard sheet, but it's popular among the delegates. This what Zhirinovsky looked like when he rushed into big politics in 1991. Having served many years in the Duma, he's running for the presidency again.
Vladimir Zhirinovsky, LDPR Chairman: "I tell everything as it is. I like to speak extemporaneously. The experience that we have acquired is pure gold. We have been in the top level of politics for 30 years already. I am familiar with the government of the state. I know my country. I traveled around Russia 642 times."
Among the delegates, there are people who grew up under the banners of the LDPR.
Yaroslav Nilov, LDPR Leader Duma Deputy: For me, Zhirinovsky is the leader who came to my school 20 years ago and totally changed my concept of the political system.
— Are you proud to wear this LDPR tie?
- Sure, it's exclusive, no one else has it.
There are party slogans all around. The LDPR demands "to give way to the youth" and "to bring the money back to Russia". This rostrum is installed for the leader. The map of the world is right behind him. It's clear that he'll be speaking about geopolitics and key international issues.
Vladimir Zhirinovsky: "Our country is stable and powerful. It's a great country".
Zhirinovsky is sure that his party is a real political force.
Vladimir Zhirinovsky: "The direction to the South in foreign politics, demographic issues, fighting corruption, and so on, including territorial expansion. All these things we suggested once, then, the state power started to implement them".
The presentation has lasted for more than 1 hour. The hall is full-packed, many people have to stand. Zhirinovsky is telling them about what he takes to the election. No doubt, the delegates will support him. There's time for debates, but there's nothing to debate about.
Alexey Didenko, LDPR Duma Member "There's no person in the world who could replace Zhirinovsky." A new ballot in the digitized box opens the way to a new campaign.
— Is it going to be a rigid campaign?
Vladimir Zhirinovsky: It's going to be rigid, but interesting and multidimensional. Judging by what other members say, they will approve my nomination.
His intuition didn't fail, they voted for him unanimously.
Alexey Petrov, Anna Tsemaylo, Alexey Kalach, Nikolay Lavrukhin, Maksim Schepilov, Vesti