Deputy speaker of the State Duma of Russia and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) Vladimir Zhirinovsky
Photo: Ïàâåë Ñîëîâüåâ
| Other Photos |
 |
|
 |
Lugovoi on LDPR List with Zhirinovsky & Son
Businessman Andrey Lugovoi, whose extradition is being demanded by Great Britain in connection with the murder of Alexander Litvinenko, will be among the first three names on the LDPR party list for the December State Duma elections. Party leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky announced that his candidacy will be approved at a party congress today. The congress will open with Zhirinovsky's report “The World Civil War,” about “the new world order characterized by the opposition of the forces of nationalism and internationalism, which causes the majority of modern conflicts.” Then the congress will approve 87 regional party lists, which are topped by Zhirinovsky, followed by Lugovoi and Zhirinovsky's son, Duma member Igor Lebedev.
Lugovoi's place on the LDPR party list guarantees him a the opportunity to take a seat in the next Duma, which he is expected to accept. Less than two weeks ago, Zhirinovsky told journalists that the third slot on the list would be occupied by “someone nobody knows.” Some media also expected Inteko-Agro chief Viktor Baturin to appear third on the party list. Inteko and the LDPR have collaborated extensively in Belgorod Region.
The LDPR's previous attempt to place a non-politician at the top of its party list ended badly for it in 19999, when second place was taken by convicted Krasnoyarsk businessman Anatoly Bykov. The Central Elections Commission rejected Bykov's representation because of “misrepresentation,” and then disqualified the entire LDPR list. The party was forced to form a new list as the Zhirinovsky Bloc, which won about 6 percent of the vote.
The British press noted that Duma membership would give Lugovoi legal immunity. It also noted that his election to the Russian Duma would likely cause the strained relations between the two country to deteriorate further.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Sep. 17, 2007
|
|
|
