The Liberal Democratic Party of Russia is an extreme right-wing political party in Russia. It has been led by Vladimir Zhirinovsky since its founding, in 1990, as the Liberal Democratic Party of the Soviet Union. Despite its name, this party has nothing to do with liberalism.

Policies include the re-annexation of the Soviet Republics, defaulting on all external loans, and the abolition of Russia's federal system in place of 15 provinces with appointed governors.

In the early 1990's, accusations arose surrounding the alleged funding of the party by Russian President Boris Yeltsin's party. While substantiation of such claims has been difficult in the often turbulent post-Soviet Russia, they have gained added credibility through the timing of Zhironovsky's outbursts. They often seemed deliberately timed so as to relieve pressure on Yeltsin, and after him, Putin.

Polling figures:

• 1991 presidential elections - 8%
• 1993 Duma elections - 23%
• 1995 Duma elections - 11%
• 1996 presidential elections - 6%
• 1999 Duma elections - 6% (it contested them as the 'Zhirinovsky Bloc')
• 2003 Duma elections - 12%

External links

• Official Website (in Russian)
• Zhirinovsky offers to dissolve Russia (Pravda)