During its meeting on February 5, 2003, the State Duma declined by a majority vote deputy Sergei Mitrokhin's proposal to discuss the dismissal of Deputy Chairman of the lower chamber of the Russian parliament Vladimir Zhirinovsky from his post. In addition to the LDPR faction, the centrist factions Unity and Fatherland-All Russia and about half the People's Deputy and Russia's Regions groups opposed this initiative. Mitrokhin's proposal was supported by YABLOKO, the Union of Right-Wing Forces (SPS), CPRF factions and the Agro-Industrial Group. Consequently, 181 deputies voted for an examination of this issue, against a required minimum of 226 votes.

For the results of the voting in the Duma for Mitrokhin's proposal to dismiss Zhirinovsky from the post of Deputy Chairman of the Duma see at: http://www.eng.yabloko.ru/Votings/2003/2003-02-05.html

It was proposed that Zhirinovsky be dismissed from the post of Deputy Speaker of the Duma owing to the videos disseminated by a number of Russian and foreign mass media, which pictured the drunk leader of the LDPR embracing two young men, swearing and uttering uncouth statements about foreign states. "Zhirinovsky in his escapades purposefully harms Russia's prestige in the world," thinks Mitrokhin. - "He is an official and is responsible for international relations in parliament: his statements may be interpreted as Russia's official position," Mitrokhin's proposal was supported by deputy from Daghestan Gadzhi Makhachev. "Zhirinovsky with his numerous escapades ignites ethnic and national hatred and now he is already insulting the leaders of other countries, using swearwords," stressed Makhachev.

According to Mitrokhin, it transpired that deputies of the Duma were unable to protect the honour and dignity of Russia. "Most of all I am indignant at the deputies, who consider themselves to be patriots and yet supported Zhirinovsky's anti-Russian activity," added Mitrokhin.

See also:

Parliament Approves a Ban on Rude and Foreign Words. The Moscow Times. February 5, 2003.