MOSCOW (Realist English). Leonid Slutsky was re-elected chairman of Russia’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR) during the party’s 37th congress on October 2, attended by more than 700 members, supporters, and guests from all 89 regions of the country. Among participants were senior party officials, deputies, senators, youth activists, war veterans, and military correspondents.
Opening his address with thanks to voters, Slutsky presented the LDPR’s development strategy through 2030. He pledged to strengthen the party’s status as Russia’s main opposition force, aiming to more than double its parliamentary faction by 2026 and to increase membership from the current 402,000 to at least 700,000 by the end of the decade.
“We must scale up LDPR’s presence across the country, replacing ineffective representatives of other parties. By 2030, we should have no fewer than 10,000 deputies at all levels,” Slutsky said. He emphasized that the party’s program will prioritize support for participants of the special military operation, demographic policy, strengthening families, youth engagement, reform of local governance, and promotion of Russian culture and values.
Slutsky underscored that LDPR intends to be “a reliable partner” for President Vladimir Putin in pursuing strategic goals, while also competing with the ruling party by offering alternative solutions in parliament and in government. “The state interest is above personal interest, the law above office, and the individual above bureaucracy,” he stated.
He announced plans to prepare monthly monitoring reports on key sectors and to launch a nationwide online forum for citizens to contribute proposals to the party’s program. A dedicated editorial commission will provide economic justifications for LDPR’s initiatives.
During the congress, Slutsky awarded LDPR membership and medals “For the Liberation of Donbas and Novorossiya” to several participants in Russia’s ongoing military campaign, including Hero of Russia Ioann Semyonov.
Slutsky’s re-election and his ambitious program highlight LDPR’s intent to consolidate its position as Russia’s principal opposition party while affirming loyalty to the Kremlin’s strategic course. This dual positioning — competition with the ruling party alongside alignment with presidential priorities — will shape LDPR’s role in the 2026 elections and beyond.
