Liberal Democratic Party of Russia

The Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) is an opposition party in Russia. It describes itself as centrist and pro-reform, and is popularly considered an ultranationalist party.¹ It is not to be confused with the similarly named Democratic Party of Russia.

Fast Facts

1. Formerly known as the Liberal Democratic Party of the Soviet Union
2. Founded: 1989
3. Jointly-founded by the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and the KGB²
4. Headquarters: Moscow, Russia
5. Political position: Centrist, pro-reform, democratic
6. Co-founder and current leader: Vladimir Zhirinovsky
7. Assumed office: 1990
8. Defines itself as an opposition party
9. Commonly considered an ultranationalist party

Key Issues

1. Supports the re-unification of the former Soviet republics
2. Supports government ownership of key economic and industrial sectors
3. Argues for state control of agricultural land
4. Calls for the partition of Poland

2008 Presidential Election

Party leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky campaigned in the 2008 presidential election as the LDPR's official candidate. He came in third place, behind the Democratic Party of Russia's Andrey Bogdanov and winner Dmitry Medvedev.³

Categories