Russian Communists pit political veteran against Vladimir Putin

The Communist Party of Russia, the second largest party in parliament, has selected 75-year-old Nikolai Kharitonov as its presidential candidate to run against Vladimir Putin in the upcoming March polls. Kharitonov previously received just under 14 percent of the national vote when he ran against Putin in 2004. The Communist Party, led by Gennady Zyuganov since 1993, is officially in opposition but practically supports Putin's party, United Russia. If Putin wins the election, he could remain in power until 2030.