Yuri Luzhkov, Mayor of Moscow

Yuri Luzhkov made his debut in the Moscow Mayor’s office in 1992, having replaced the retired Gavriil Popov.

He was born in Moscow on September 21, 1936. Having graduated from school, he entered the Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas. While still a student, he took part in land clearing in Kazakhstan as part of the students’ team that was one of the first to volunteer for this project in 1954.

Having graduated from the institute in 1958, he then joined the Research and Development Institute of Plastics as a junior scientist, where he soon became deputy head of the technological process automation laboratory in 1963. From 1964 on, he worked as head of the automation department of the National Chemistry Committee, and between 1971 and 1974 as head of the automated management systems department. In 1974—1980, he was chief of the Experimental Design Office of Automation at the Chemical Industry Ministry, and in 1980—1986 was General Director of the Scientific and Industrial Association Neftekhimavtomatika. Then in 1986, he became head of the science and technology department of the Chemical Industry Ministry.

He has been annually reelected to the Moscow City Council since 1977. Since 1987 he worked as First Deputy Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Moscow City Council, Chairman of the Moscow Agricultural Committee, and Chairman of the Moscow Executive Committee of the Moscow City Council. In 1991, he moved on to become Deputy Mayor and Prime Minister of the Moscow Government.

Having been appointed Mayor of Moscow by a Russian presidential decree in 1992, he was re-elected to this position three times (in 1996, 1999 and 2003). In June 2007, at the recommendation of then-President Vladimir Putin, he was vested with powers of the Moscow Mayor for another four years.

Over the last 15 years Moscow has become one of the leading capitals in the world. It plays a vital role in the development of Russia’s new economy and federalism, and credit must be given to the Moscow Mayor for his contribution, as well as his personal attributes and business qualities. Yuri Luzhkov can boast major accomplishments in his work targeting the development of Russia’s capital. Moscow is changing by the minute: the renovated Moscow Ring Road (MKAD) and the new highway Third Ring, as well as renovated Cathedral of Christ the Savior and the Manezh Square, a new Moscow Performing Arts Centre, and the historical centre of the city. “You can deprive me of everything, except for my desire to work,” says Yuri Luzkkov. And he does work. The scale of his activity as the Mayor of Moscow is fascinating and defined by his love of the country and the citizens of its capital. One of the main principles of Luzhkov’s actions is to set a goal, determine means of its realization and work towards its achievement.

About 5 million square meters of real estate is constructed annually in Moscow. The program for the renovation of five-storey buildings, which account for one forth of the capital’s housing, is currently being implemented. Aside from that, a special investment program for the support of sports facilities has been drafted.

Luzhkov came up with the idea of opening stores and fairs on leased property, which made the lives of Muscovites a lot easier several years ago, as well as the idea of multi-level parking garages. These are just a few of the projects that were successfully carried out by the Moscow Mayor. Among his other initiatives was the construction of the Northern thermal power electric station and a waste processing plant using environmentally friendly waste treatment technology, which significantly improved the city’s ecology. Luzhkov is also known for his attention to special social issues, for instance, the granting of free public transportation tickets to Moscow pensioners.

Luzhkov’s attitude to education and culture also indicates his deep affection for the country. Moscow now has many well-equipped colleges and lyceums. The Bolshoi Theatre is under construction and many artists receive their own facilities. The Mayor has assured Muscovites that no theatre would be closed in the capital. “The government has undertaken a major task of promoting cultural development,” Luzhkov stressed.

He is currently a member of the State Council, represents the Russian Federation in the Chamber of Regions of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, and is member of the Federation Council committee for the budget, tax policy, currency regulation and banking.

Since the end of 1998, he has been the leader of the Otechestvo all-Russian political and public organization. He is now a co-chairman of the Supreme Council of the United Russia political party.

He has been awarded the Order of Lenin, Red Banner, Order of Service to the Fatherland (1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd class), Order of Military Merit, Order of Honor, medals For the Defense of Free Russia, For Consolidation of Military Community, To Commemorate the 850^th Anniversary of Moscow, To Commemorate the 300^th Anniversary of St. Petersburg, as well as honorary titles of Honorary Chemist of the Russian Federation, Honorary Builder of the Russian Federation, Honorary Railway Worker, and more. He is also the winner of a number of governmental awards of the USSR and Russia, not to mention an honorary professor of the Russian Academy of Science, Moscow State University, Academy of Labour and Social Relations, a number of domestic and foreign universities, and an academician of several Russian academies.

Luzhkov is an author of more than 200 publications on Russia’s social and economic development, as well as essays and stories. Among his most famous publications which attracted a great deal of public attention were “72 Hours of Agony” (1991), “We Are Your Children, Moscow” (1996), “Russian Parkinson Laws” (1999), “A Mayor and About a Mayor” which was co-authored with Mikhail Shcherbachenko (2003), “The Secret of Gostiny Dvor. About the City, the World, and Myself: Articles and Essays” (2006).

The Moscow Mayor holds patents for more than 50 different inventions. Despite the fact that Luzhkov was trained as an engineer and a chemist, his inventions also include such things as a unique meat pie recipe and even some types of men’s perfume. Many people also know that Luzhkov is seriously interested in beekeeping, and has even invented new types of hives by modernizing their design. He worked with a group of engineers on the creation of an ozone water treatment system at Mosvodokanal. Some of his suggestions regarding the construction of a roof at the Luzhniki stadium were patented as well. As if that were not impressive enough, he also participated in designing a monorail system and cars designed especially for it. The Mayor’s contribution to the city’s organization and equipment of the food industry was honored during the 2003 Eureka Annual International Exhibition on Innovations, Research and New Technologies in Brussels, where Luzhkov was awarded a medal of honor by the Belgian Chamber of Inventors.

In his free time, the Mayor likes to play tennis and soccer. Twice a week, regardless of the weather, he goes out into the field. He was even the captain of a soccer team for a friendly match between the Federal government and the Moscow government teams. He also likes horseback riding and fishing, as well as alpine skiing in the winter.

In his book, “We Are Your Children, Moscow”, Yuri Luzhkov wrote that after his younger brother was born, who was the third child in the family, he himself became the “middle child, and thus in the middle, normal, intermediate. It seems to have affected me so much that ever since that time I was no longer able to think of myself as someone special and chosen.”

Luzhkov is married, with four children.