The LDPR elected its second and possibly last chairman
Leonid Slutsky was unanimously elected today as chairman of the LDPR at the 34th party congress in Moscow.
His candidacy was nominated by the party's supreme council and was the only one on the ballot. Alexander Sheinin tried to stand as a self-nominee in the party elections, and was supported by the Ryazan organization, but the congress by a majority vote refused to introduce a second name.
After his election, Slutsky reported that the LDPR was receiving many requests from the front lines in Donbas to join the party, but he also reiterated his support for continuing negotiations with Ukraine.
“We will work intensively to achieve results for us and the country as quickly as possible. Where we strongly disagree with the position of the country's leadership, we will talk about our position. We will be able to solve the tasks that Zhirinovsky left us, the tasks that face the country, the people who support us and vote for us, no matter how difficult it may be. Zhirinovsky forever!” said Slutsky after his election.
He promised that the party will show decent results in the elections of legislative assemblies in 6 regions in the fall, because Moscow will “more powerfully support” local branches.
Slutsky was congratulated on his election by the President of Transnistria Vadim Krasnoselsky.
“Pridnestrovie and the Liberal Democratic Party have many years of successful cooperation. The LDPR faction in the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation invariably provides support to compatriots living in the republic, directing its efforts to protect the legitimate rights of Russian citizens, promoting peace and stability. I express hope for further fruitful cooperation in the interests of our peoples,” the message says.
Political scientist Evgeny Minchenko believes that the LDPR has three development options under the new chairman.
"1. “Leadership Party” – pumping up Leonid Slutsky as a new charismatic leader. “Slutsky – Zhirinovsky today”; 2. “Ideological party” – “the party of Zhirinovsky’s disciples.” Requires a selection of canonical texts and a brief description of the fundamentals of the doctrine. “A short course on the history of the LDPR” and “Fundamentals of Zhirinism”; 3. “Political McDonald’s” – a bet on brand franchising in regions with high autonomy of regional organizations and their sponsors. The final version will probably be a combination of these options. The question is proportions,” he wrote in his TG channel.
However, other experts predict a quick death for the party of the late Zhirinovsky.
"Slutsky only has apparatus and elite clout; as the frontman of a populist party, this arrogant bureaucrat is completely worthless. I doubt he has any personal approval ratings beyond a small circle of professional observers. That is, until the Duma elections (if they even happen), he will enjoy all the opportunities available to him as the leader of the Duma party. But the LDPR won't pass the electoral threshold, and that will be the end of it for the party ," says political scientist Fyodor Krasheninnikov.
“With the election of Slutsky, the dismantling of the LDPR began at an accelerated pace. Moreover, Slutsky gets in the way of decision-makers in the negotiation track with Ukraine. Therefore, the more often Slutsky now comments on negotiation matters, the faster the LDPR will be disposed of,” wrote Maxim Zharov.
The Liberal Democratic Party of Russia has elected its second and possibly final chairman.