A true sensation, no less. The Russian Communist Party didn't nominate Gennady Zyuganov. This person is their nominee. His name is Pavel Grudinin. He's the director of a millionaire-sovkhoz in the Moscow Region named after Lenin. He's basically already a candidate because a state Duma Party doesn't need to gather signatures.
Andrey Grigoriev has the details.
Under the scarlet communist banners in the Snegiri health resort in the Moscow Region named after the red-breasted birds among all the shades of red he seems to be the only one wearing a purple tie.
Pavel Grudinin, director of ZAO Sovkhoz imeni Lenina: "That's the decision of the party. You are free to agree or not but you must be ready to follow the party's decision. And I was".
Director of Sovkhoz imeni Lenina Pavel Grudinin has never been a delegate at the CPRF convention and now he goes straight to Presidium. The party poll has shown that he's their new presidential candidate. Even the former possible candidates have voted for him.
Yuri Afonin, co-chair of CPRF: "The decision was unanimous. So many people across our country have unanimously supported this strategy".
It's the first time the Communist Party is going to be represented by an independent.
Dmitry Novikov, co-chair of CPRF: "We never thought a single person can drastically change the situation. That's where we come in. That's what our platform is about."
Gennady Zyuganov was still the only true leader of the Russian left on November 7 when he organized a demonstration timed to the Great October anniversary. Now, he's ready to temporarily step down giving up his place in the party hierarchy occupying the position of the campaign chief.
Gennady Zyuganov, leader of CPRF: "Mr. Grudinin asked me to be the campaign chief. I didn't only agree to that but also to lead the High State Council of Patriotic Forces that's going to address several issues: ultimately state our platform and suggest the composition of the Government of national confidence".
Zyuganov remains the leader of the Central Committee and the parliamentary faction. The party once resorted to this kind of reshuffle. In 2004, Nikolai Kharitonov ran instead of Zyuganov and earned the second place, traditional for CPRF.
Nikolay Kharitonov, CPRF Presidium member: "Zyuganov perfectly understands the need for consolidation. The consolidation of all the Left. That's why the party platform and especially his position in the State Council that's going to acquire a new form being led by a communist would be far better off with him."
Today's reshuffle is supposed to consolidate the independent like-minded voters around the CPRF.
The hall's design includes a lot of historical analogies: Lenin's bust and the font from the Pravda newspaper titles.
In the year of the 100-year anniversary of the 1917 Revolution the Communist Party makes yet another turn at their 17th convention.
Besides being an independent Grudinin used to be a member of United Russia until 2010. The party nominated him for a position in the Moscow Region Duma. During his other term, he was an independent. He eagerly posed with Zhirinovsky as if he was trying on a new party but the Communists seemed to be closer ideologically. For 20 years, he's been leading a successful agricultural enterprise that could serve as an example of socialism in a single agricultural enterprise. It's famous for its "Lenin strawberries" red berries, by the way.
Vladimir Kashin, co-chair of CPRF: "It sells dozens of vegetable crops in Moscow. It sells more than 1,200 tons of its unique strawberries. And it's actively engaged in the recycling process".
While the new candidate is getting used to his new role and his new environment, the campaign chief is already announcing the platform. No need for composing a new one — the CPRF already has all the items. From now on, they are going to make all important campaigning decisions together.
Pavel Grudinin: "The president must assemble the State Council which is not composed of his subordinates but the people with alternative opinions. The State Duma must be a parliament that contemplates before voting".
Grudinin doesn't have to gather signatures because his party is present in the Duma. Now, he needs to register and begin his campaign. Grudinin plans to visit as many regions as possible.
Andrey Grigoriev, Yekaterina Frolova Mikhail Averenkov, Igor Belogurov Kirill Aksyonov, and Andrey Sorokin for Vesti on Saturday.
