Vladimir Zhirinovsky repeatedly participates in presidential elections. And it was thanks to his election campaigns that he became a famous and influential politician. Read about the specialties of his election program in the Rambler article.
Zhirinovsky's first major campaigns took place during the collapse of the Soviet Union and the first years of the new Russia. At this time, most politicians try to speak cautiously and avoid harsh assessments. Zhirinovsky chose the opposite tactic.
One of the main features of Zhirinovsky's campaigns was turning elections into public spectacles. He actively uses television, talk shows and any form in which he can attract attention. Scandals, conflicts, harsh statements – all of these have become part of his political toolkit. Apparently, Vladimir Volfovich understood that the important thing is not so much to persuade as to constantly be in the field of vision of voters.
He deliberately used harsh language and provocative words. His speeches were emotional, often aggressive, but at the same time as understandable as possible. He speaks briefly, frankly, does not complicate his speech with jargon. This clearly distinguishes him from other candidates, whose speeches are often considered abstract and out of touch with reality.
Why did the Soviet general secretaries not recognize the reforms?
In all of Zhirinovsky's campaigns, the theme of state borders and national dignity occupies a central place. He constantly talked about the loss of great power status, the weakness of power and the need to return the country to its former state of greatness. Furthermore, his statements often go far beyond diplomatic norms.
Thus, one of the most famous and often quoted statements was the one made during the 1996 presidential campaign about “restoring historical justice.” In several speeches, Vladimir Volfovich said that Russia is the heir to Byzantium and the “Third Rome”, and therefore must regain influence in the Balkans and Black Sea regions.
As part of the same campaign, Zhirinovsky repeatedly stated that Russia needed to reach “warm seas.” He talked about control of the Bosporus and the Dardanelles, as well as direct access to the Indian Ocean. At the same time, he did not hide the fact that strong measures and modifications to the existing order may be needed.
He emphasized his election agenda on socio-economic issues. For years, Zhirinovsky has promised to abolish utility bills, state regulations on prices for essential products and increase pensions “many times over.”
Vladimir Volfovich also spoke loudly about establishing strict order in the country. Zhirinovsky has repeatedly advocated the return of the death penalty, increased criminal liability for serious crimes, and the need to “make people fear the law.”
On the issue of migration, Zhirinovsky adheres to the idea of closing borders and strongly restricting the entry of foreigners. He promised to deport illegal immigrants and directly linked migration to a rise in crime. These statements were made long before migration became a central issue for most politicians.
It is noteworthy that Vladimir Volfovich has been repeating the same ideas, slogans and images for many years. This is a deliberate choice. The consistency of what was said formed a recognizable political image. Voters always knew what to expect from Zhirinovsky, and against the backdrop of an actively changing political agenda, this created a stabilizing effect.
Although Zhirinovsky did not become the head of the country, his campaigns cannot be called failures. To voters tired of reforms, inflation and instability, Zhirinovsky delivered a concrete result – and did it in the most direct language possible. Vladimir Volfovich continuously received a significant percentage of the vote and retained political influence until his death, April 6, 2022.
We previously wrote, what Khrushchev said to his family on the day he was deposed.
