Valery Rashkin

Valery Rashkin. He is a Russian politician who served as a member of the State Duma from 2008 to 2021, representing the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF). His political career, spanning regional governance in Saratov Oblast to the federal parliament, was dramatically altered by a high-profile criminal case in 2021. Rashkin is known for his staunch communist ideology, criticism of the Government of Russia, and subsequent leadership of the minor Communist Party of Social Justice.

Early life and education

Valery Rashkin was born in the city of Saratov, then part of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic within the Soviet Union. He pursued his higher education at Saratov State University, an institution with a long history in the Volga region. Following his studies, Rashkin began his professional life within the Soviet economic planning system, working at industrial enterprises in his home region. This early experience during the late Soviet era shaped his perspectives on industrial management and labor issues, foundations that would later inform his political activism.

Political career

Rashkin's political career commenced in the aftermath of the dissolution of the Soviet Union, initially within local politics in Saratov Oblast. He was elected to the Saratov Oblast Duma, where he established a reputation as a vocal opposition figure. His rise within the Communist Party of the Russian Federation was steady, leading to his election to the State Duma in the 2008 Russian legislative election. In the federal parliament, he served on committees related to regional development and natural resources, often critiquing policies of the United Russia party and the Presidential Administration of Russia. He maintained his seat through subsequent elections, including the 2016 Russian legislative election, becoming one of the CPRF's prominent public faces.

Criminal case and legal issues

In October 2021, Rashkin's career was upended when he was detained by police in the Moscow Oblast near the Losiny Ostrov National Park under suspicion of illegal moose hunting. The incident, which involved the discovery of a killed animal in his vehicle, was widely reported by media outlets like TASS and RIA Novosti. He was subsequently expelled from the Communist Party of the Russian Federation and stripped of his parliamentary immunity. The Investigative Committee of Russia opened a criminal case, and in May 2022, a court in Moscow found him guilty, imposing a significant fine but not a custodial sentence. This case removed him from the State Duma and significantly diminished his political standing.

Political positions and views

Throughout his tenure, Rashkin was a steadfast adherent to Marxism-Leninism and a critic of the capitalist policies implemented in post-Soviet Russia. He frequently denounced privatization programs and advocated for the renationalization of key industries like energy and railways. A vocal opponent of Vladimir Putin's administration, he participated in protests organized by the Left Front and other groups, condemning actions such as the 2014 annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation. After his expulsion from the CPRF, he helped establish and leads the Communist Party of Social Justice, positioning it as a more radical alternative, though it remains a minor force in Russian politics.

Personal life

Valery Rashkin maintains a relatively private personal life, with few details widely publicized. He is known to be married and has children. His long-standing residence and political base have been in the Saratov region, even during his service in Moscow. Beyond politics, he has expressed a personal interest in outdoor activities, an aspect that unfortunately became central to his legal troubles. Despite his legal and political setbacks, he continues to be active in political organizing through his new party.

Category:1955 births Category:Living people Category:Russian politicians Category:Members of the State Duma Category:Communist Party of the Russian Federation politicians