Sobchak (Anatolii)

Anatolii Sobchak (1937-2000) was a prominent Russian politician and legal scholar who played a significant role in the transition from Soviet rule to post-Soviet Russia. Born in Chita, Siberia, Sobchak pursued a career in law, becoming a professor at Leningrad State University. He gained national prominence during the perestroika era as an advocate for democratic reforms.In 1989, Sobchak was elected to the Congress of People's Deputies and became a leading figure in the democratic opposition. He served as the first democratically elected mayor of Leningrad (later St. Petersburg) from 1991 to 1996. During his tenure, he oversaw the city's name change and initiated various economic and political reforms.Sobchak mentored several future Russian political leaders, including Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev. After leaving office, he faced legal challenges and briefly lived in exile before returning to Russia. Sobchak died unexpectedly in 2000 while campaigning for Putin's presidential bid. [ClaudeAI]