---
title: "Russian Passport for Citroën Designer: Pierre Leclerc on the List of Recipients of the Decree on 'Traditional Values'"
description: "Pierre Leclerc, Chief Designer of Citroën and former top executive at BMW, has been granted Russian citizenship by decree of Putin. 🇷🇺🚗 This occurred within the framework of a program for foreigners who share 'traditional values.' The motives of the Belgian designer remain a mystery for now."
date: 2026-07-14T13:37:36.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/russian-passport-for-citroen-designer-pierre-leclerc
tags: [pierre-leclerc, citroen, bmw, vladimir-putin, russia-citizenship]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Russian Passport for Citroën Designer: Pierre Leclerc on the List of Recipients of the Decree on 'Traditional Values'

Vladimir Putin signed a decree granting Russian citizenship to the renowned Belgian automotive designer Pierre Leclerc. This decision is part of a broader campaign to attract foreigners who share the 'traditional spiritual and moral values' enshrined in the Russian Constitution.

### Career at Global Automotive Giants

Pierre Leclerc is a well-known figure in the automotive industry. His professional journey began in 2000 at the German conglomerate BMW, where he worked until 2011. It was during this period that Leclerc was responsible for the design of the iconic X5 and X6 SUVs, which defined the brand's image for the next decade.

After leaving BMW, the designer continued his career in Asia, collaborating with Chinese manufacturer Great Wall Motors and South Korean giant Kia. Since 2018, Leclerc has headed the design studio of the French company Citroën. In 2023, he unveiled the new Citroën Oli electric vehicle model, which became one of the brand's key projects in the era of electrification.

### Decree on 'Traditional Values'

Leclerc's citizenship was granted under Decree No. 702, signed by the President of Russia in 2024. This document allows foreigners who disagree with the political situation in their home countries and share the conservative values outlined in the Russian Constitution to obtain residence permits.

Statistics show that the majority of applications under this program come from citizens of Germany, Latvia, and the USA. Experts note that the applicants' motivations can vary widely: from genuine ideological affinity to attempts to resolve documentation issues or bypass bureaucratic barriers in their home countries.

### Ideology and Propaganda

Russia actively uses the influx of such immigrants for its propaganda purposes, positioning itself as a bastion of traditional morality. At the same time, the real reasons why Pierre Leclerc decided to change his citizenship remain unknown. The designer's motivation has not been officially commented on, leaving room for various interpretations.