Vladimir Zhirinovsky

Vladimir Volfovich Zhirinovsky (????????? ?????????? ???????????? in Russian) (b. April 25, 1946) is a controversial Russian politician, and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (which has very little in common with what Westerners call liberalism).

Related Topics:
Russian - April 25 - 1946 - Liberal Democratic Party of Russia - Liberalism

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According to unconfirmed reports, Mr. Zhirinovsky was a long-time KGB operative and had a Jewish father. Mr. Zhirinovsky himself denies these rumors.

Related Topics:
KGB - Jew

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Mr. Zhironovsky speaks fluent Turkish.

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He advocates alliances between the the former Soviet republics with final target being re-incorporation of the Soviet Union. Mr. Zhirinovsky also made statements regarding re-aquisition of Alaska through the use of military force, invading and occupying Iran, and constructing large fans to blow Russia's nuclear waste into Germany. He has also praised Adolf Hitler's rule and encouraged the use of nuclear weapons against possible adversaries. He has been known to make public anti-Semitic remarks, despite allegations of his Jewish origins.

Related Topics:
Soviet republics - Soviet Union - Alaska - Iran - Germany - Adolf Hitler - Nuclear weapons - Anti-Semitic

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Zhirinovsky allegedly praised the success of American presidential candidate Pat Buchanan during Buchanan's 1992 Presidential bid. Buchanan refused Zhirinovsky's endorsement.

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Mr. Zhirinovsky was born in Alma-Ata, the Capital of Kazakhstan(a Soviet Republic at the time). According to unconfirmed reports his last name was 'Eidelstein' (????????????), which he changed to Zhirinovsky when he received his official Soviet passport at the age of 18. He then studied languages, specifically, Turkish at the Moscow State University. He drifted into law during the 1980s, and in 1990 co-founded the Liberal Democratic Party, which claimed to be the first oppositon party of the Soviet Union. He got 8% of the vote in 1990 presidential elections.

Related Topics:
Alma-Ata - Kazakhstan - Soviet Republic - Soviet - Turkish - Moscow State University - 1980s - 1990

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After a successful parliamentary election that saw his party come in 3rd place, Zhirinovsky announced that he would challenge Vladimir Putin in the 2004 presidential election. He later withdrew from the race.

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