Dmitry Gudkov facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dmitry Gudkov
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Дмитрий Гудков
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Gudkov in 2017
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| Leader of the Party of Changes | |
| In office 23 June 2018 – 30 March 2020 |
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| Preceded by | Andrei Nechayev |
| Succeeded by | Andrei Nechayev |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Dmitry Gennadyevich Gudkov
19 January 1980 Kolomna, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
| Political party | A Just Russia (until 2013) Party of Changes (2018–2020) |
| Spouses |
Sofya Gudkova
(m. 2002; div. 2012)Valeria Sushkova
(m. 2012) |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent | Gennady Gudkov |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Known for | Opposition to President Vladimir Putin |
Dmitry Gennadyevich Gudkov (Russian: Дмитрий Геннадьевич Гудков; born 19 January 1980) is a Russian politician. He is known for being an opposition leader, which means he often disagrees with the government in power. He was a member of the State Duma, which is like Russia's parliament, from 2011 to 2016.
Dmitry's father, Gennady Gudkov, was also a member of the Duma. Both father and son were part of the political party called A Just Russia. Dmitry Gudkov was later removed from this party in 2013. He then ran for parliament again in 2016 with the Yabloko party but did not win. In 2018, he helped create a new political group called the Party of Changes.
In 2024, he became a co-founder and expert at the "European Center for Analysis and Strategies" (CASE).
Early Life and Education
Dmitry Gudkov was born on 19 January 1980 in Kolomna, a city in the Moscow region. His parents are Maria and Gennady Gudkov. His father worked in the KGB (a security agency) and later started a private security company.
Dmitry finished Moscow school #625 in 1996, where he focused on physics and mathematics. He then studied journalism at Moscow State University. While he was a student, he worked for different publications and helped with his father's company. He also started getting involved in politics by helping with his father's election campaigns in 1998–1999.
After graduating in 2001, Dmitry continued his studies. He also earned a second degree in World Economy from the Diplomatic Academy.
Political Journey
Starting in Politics
Dmitry Gudkov often followed his father's path in politics. When his father became a member of the Duma in 2001, Dmitry worked with him. In 2003, he joined the People's Party of the Russian Federation (NPRF), where his father was a leader. Dmitry helped with the party's press and youth programs. He was involved in creating the Youth Public Chamber.
In 2005, Dmitry ran for the Duma himself but did not win. In 2007, the NPRF joined "A Just Russia" party. Dmitry continued to lead the press department for the new combined party.
He also helped unite several youth groups into a movement called "Pobeda" ("Victory"). Later, in 2009, Dmitry led a new youth movement within "A Just Russia" called "Young Socialists of Russia." In 2010, he became an adviser to Sergey Mironov, the leader of "A Just Russia."
Work in the State Duma
In December 2011, Dmitry Gudkov was elected to the 6th State Duma. He worked on laws related to the country's constitution and government. He proposed many new laws, sometimes with other deputies.
One idea was to change a law about science to allow academic degrees to be taken away if plagiarism (copying someone else's work) was found. Another proposal aimed to make decisions about economic sanctions (penalties) require a federal law, not just the President's order. He also suggested changes to laws about non-profit organizations to remove the term "foreign agent" for groups not involved in political activities.
Most of the laws Dmitry Gudkov proposed were not passed. However, he did support a widely backed bill that changed the law on how time is calculated, leading to a permanent shift to winter time in 2014.
Dmitry Gudkov was one of only a few deputies who voted against the "Dima Yakovlev Law" in 2012. This law stopped US citizens from adopting Russian orphans. He also did not vote for the law that brought Crimea into the Russian Federation. He later explained that he was concerned about the political and economic effects of that decision.
Involvement in Protests
Dmitry Gudkov and his father are known for opposing President Vladimir Putin and his party. They were important figures in the protests against Putin's re-election in 2012. Dmitry actively participated in and helped organize rallies for "Fair Elections."
In 2012, Dmitry and his father, along with another deputy, spoke for 11 hours straight in parliament. They were trying to stop a bill that would allow large fines for people protesting against the government. This was seen as a very strong act of defiance in the parliament.
Leaving "A Just Russia" Party
In January 2013, Dmitry Gudkov faced a choice from his party, "A Just Russia." They asked him to leave either the Opposition Coordination Council (a group of opposition leaders) or the party. Dmitry and his father refused to leave the Opposition Council.
On 13 March 2013, both Dmitry and Gennady Gudkov were removed from "A Just Russia" party. The party leader said they were expelled for "actions that harm the party," including their involvement in protests. After this, Dmitry Gudkov continued his work in parliament.
Running for the Duma Again
In the 2016 Russian legislative election, Dmitry Gudkov ran for the 7th State Duma with the "Yabloko" party. He raised money for his campaign and had a team helping him. However, he lost the election to his main opponent. Even though he was high on his party's list, "Yabloko" did not get enough votes for him to enter parliament. Dmitry Gudkov believed that low voter turnout and public distrust in elections were reasons for his loss.
"United Democrats" and Local Elections
Before the 2017 Moscow municipal elections, Dmitry Gudkov helped create a group called "United Democrats." This group supported people who wanted to become local deputies in Moscow. "United Democrats" helped candidates with fundraising, paperwork, and campaign materials.
The goal was to help many independent candidates get elected to local councils. This would make it easier for democratic candidates to run for mayor in Moscow later. In the September 2017 elections, "United Democrats" helped 266 candidates win seats in local assemblies. Dmitry Gudkov later ended his cooperation with one of his partners in this project due to disagreements.
Party of Changes
On 15 March 2018, Dmitry Gudkov and Ksenia Sobchak announced they were forming the Party of Changes. This new party was built on an existing political group called Civic Initiative.
Leaving Russia
On 1 June 2021, Dmitry Gudkov was held by police. His lawyer stated that the case was related to an old company debt from 2015. On the same day, police searched his office, apartment, and other places connected to him.
Dmitry Gudkov was released on 3 June 2021. On 6 June 2021, he left Russia for Ukraine. He later explained on social media that he had received threats that the case against him would continue unless he left the country. The next day, he said on Ukrainian television that he would soon join his parents in Bulgaria. His father, Gennady Gudkov, had moved to Varna in 2019 as a safety measure.
Dmitry Gudkov is against the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In February 2023, the Russian government added Gudkov to its list of "foreign agents."
Personal Life
Dmitry Gudkov's mother is Maria Petrovna Gudkova, who leads a security company. His father is Gennady Gudkov, a well-known politician and businessman. Dmitry also has a younger brother, Vladimir Gudkov, who runs a debt collection agency.
For over 20 years, Dmitry Gudkov's mother and brother managed a private security firm. However, its license was suspended and then removed. Another security company linked to the family also lost its license. The Gudkovs said these actions were politically motivated.
Marriages and Children
Dmitry Gudkov's first wife was Sofya Gudkova, a journalist and television producer. They were married for almost 10 years and have two children, Anastasia and Ivan. After their divorce in May 2012, Sofya left her job at a TV channel. Dmitry said she did this to avoid working on programs that might criticize him and other opposition politicians.
His second wife is Valeria Gudkova (maiden name Sushkova). She used to be a press secretary for the youth wing of "A Just Russia" and for Dmitry himself. They married in July 2012, and their son, Alexander, was born in August 2013.
Hobbies
In his school years, Dmitry Gudkov was a talented basketball player and achieved a high level in the sport. He has mentioned that he still enjoys playing basketball sometimes. He also reported that he goes to the gym regularly and likes to play the guitar.
Filmography
- 2012 — Term [ru] — a film by directors Alexey Pivovarov, Pavel Kostomarov, and Alexander Rastorguev.
Images for kids
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Gudkov in 2017
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Dmitry Gudkov during a public gathering in defense of the rights of journalists. Moscow, March 2011
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Dmitry Gudkov in the Parliament, 2013
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Speech by Dmitry Gudkov
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"United Democrats" and elections of municipal deputies in 2017
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Dmitry Gudkov gives interview to "Voice of America" on 8 March 2013
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