Russians poke fun at Depardieu as Kremlin grants him citizenship

Russians reacted with disbelief after the Kremlin granted French actor Gerard Depardieu citizenship to solve his tax woes.

In a letter broadcast on Russian television on Thursday, the former Oscar nominee declared his love for president Vladimir Putin and called Russia a “great democracy”.

“He is impressed by our democracy — he has completely lost his marbles,” wrote one Facebook user, Vladimir Sokolov.

Far-left politician Eduard Limonov suggested Depardieu, 64, could reprise his famous film role of French revolutionary Georges Danton and risk detention by riot police at a regular unsanctioned rally against Putin.

Limonov wrote on his blog: “Gerard, come to Triumfalnaya Square on Jan 31 with your new Russian passport in your pocket. Our French friend: here’s an invitation to a real historical role.”

Depardieu seemed unlikely to take up this offer after Putin praised their “very friendly, personal relationship.” A move would see the actor renounce his French citizenship over a proposed 75% tax rate on the super-rich.

If Depardieu opted to live in Russia more than half the tax year, he would pay just 13% tax to the government.