Zhirinovsky to run for Russian president

MOSCOW, May 30 (UPI) -- Russian State Duma Deputy Chairman Vladimir Zhirinovsky says he plans to run for president next year.

In an interview on Echo Moskvy radio, Zhirinovsky said State Duma Deputy Vladimir Ryzhkov will most likely be his opposition, Interfax said Wednesday.

"(Former Central Bank Chairman Viktor) Gerashchenko is a bit too old, (former Prime Minister Mikhail) Kasyanov is a bit too weak, but Ryzhkov has positioned himself as a democrat, and the West knows him very well," Zhirinovsky said.