MOSCOW, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Communist Party's leader Gennady Zyuganov was officially nominated on Saturday as the party's presidential candidate, marking the start of his election campaign.

    During a secret ballot at the party's congress, 215 delegates voted for Zyuganov's candidacy and three against, with no abstentions.

Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov speaks at a party congress in Moscow Dec. 15, 2007. The Russian Communist Party's leader Gennady Zyuganov was officially nominated on Saturday as the party's presidential candidate. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

    The presidential race kicked off in Russia on Nov. 28, when the date for elections to choose the successor to President Vladimir Putin was set for March 2, 2008.

    Under the constitution, the current president is barred from seeking a third term. Putin has pledged to step down next year, but vowed to continue to contribute to the nation after his term ends.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) and The Russian Communist Party's leader Gennady Zyuganov shake hands in the Kremlin in Moscow Dec. 13, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Russian Liberal Democrats nominate party leader as presidential candidate

Vladimir Zhirinovsky (R) speaks at a news conference in Moscow, Dec. 5, 2007. The Liberal Democratic Party of Russia on Thursday nominated party leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky as its candidate for the country's March 2 presidential election. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
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    MOSCOW, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Liberal Democratic Party of Russia on Thursday nominated party leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky as its candidate for the country's March 2 presidential election.

    Speaking at a party congress in Moscow, Zhirinovsky said he seeks to turn Russia into a parliamentary republic, the RIA Novosti news agency reported.

Putin supports Medvedev's running for president

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) speaks with First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev (L) in Moscow's Kremlin, in this Mar. 7, 2007 file photo.   (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
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    MOSCOW, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday he would support First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to run for president, the ITAR-Tass news agency reported.

    "I have known him very closely for more than 17 years and I completely and fully support this proposal," Itar-Tass quoted Putin as saying.