Russian presidential candidate Mikhail Prokhorov has lauded the acting talents of his opponent in the presidential election Vladimir Zhirinovsky and promised to build a theater for him to perform.
Last week, billionaire Prokhorov took part in a televised pre-election debate with Zhirinovsky, where the ultranationalist leader was as always emotional and straight in his statements.
“When I become president, I will build him [Zhirinovsky] a theater at my own expense… and I will definitely not miss a single performance with him,” Prokhorov said at a meeting with youth in Russia’s Black Sea resort city of Sochi.
Prokhorov called the leader of the Russian Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR) an outstanding actor and said it is hard for him to take debates with Zhirinovsky seriously.
A spokesman for LDPR said Prokhorov’s statement is a move to attract interest to his candidacy in the run-up to the presidential elections.
“As a politician Prokhorov is a figure of a small caliber for the leader of the oldest Russian political party to comment on his every word,” the spokesman said.
Russian presidential elections are scheduled for March 4. There are five registered candidates, Just Russia party candidate Sergei Mironov, Communist Leader Gennady Zyuganov, LDPR leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky, current Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov, who are running for presidency and this time the head of the country will be elected for six years.