{"id":45127,"date":"2017-12-24T20:12:04","date_gmt":"2017-12-24T20:12:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bnreport.com\/end-of-an-era-russian-communists-trade-veteran-leader-for-farm-mogul-as-2018-presidential-pick\/"},"modified":"2017-12-24T20:12:04","modified_gmt":"2017-12-24T20:12:04","slug":"end-of-an-era-russian-communists-trade-veteran-leader-for-farm-mogul-as-2018-presidential-pick","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bnreport.com\/en\/end-of-an-era-russian-communists-trade-veteran-leader-for-farm-mogul-as-2018-presidential-pick\/","title":{"rendered":"End of an era: Russian Communists trade veteran leader for farm mogul as 2018 presidential pick"},"content":{"rendered":"

Russian communists have settled on a surprise pick for its 2018 presidential candidate. Pavel Grudinin, 57, a farm mogul running a so-called \u201cisland of socialism,\u201d will replace the party\u2019s evergreen leader, Gennady Zyuganov. <\/p>\n

It was widely expected that long-time leader Zyuganov, an ever-present who has only missed one presidential election since 1996, would again be the one to challenge the current head of state, Vladimir Putin. But the iconic leader of the Communist Party (KPRF) cleared up the issue, saying that Grudinin would be the party's only candidate. The new communist contender was subsequently backed by over 300 delegates, receiving just 11 \u201cno\u201d<\/em> votes during a secret ballot at KPRF\u2019s Congress Saturday.<\/p>\n

The twist here, is that Grudinin is not even a member of the Communist Party, though he considers himself to be a communist sympathiser. Russian law puts no barriers to such a scenario, allowing parties to choose candidates who are not party members.<\/p>\n

The Communist Party's presidential candidate initially came to prominence because of his unorthodox business style. In 1995, he was appointed as the Managing Director of the Lenin Sovkhoz, a large agricultural enterprise in suburban Moscow. Grudinin not only transformed it into a successful and flourishing business, but also into a small, self-sufficient community.<\/p>\n

One of Moscow regions biggest producers of fruit and vegetables, as well as being Russia\u2019s biggest strawberry farm, the Lenin Sovkhoz also takes pride in being a model enterprise with almost communist internal rules. Grundinin\u2019s enterprise provides its workers with free housing, healthcare and school dinners, as well as subsidising many regular payments, such as communal fees.<\/p>\n

It also actively invests in local infrastructure. Sovkhoz funded the construction<\/a> of a school building and the renovation of a local clinic. And it appears that's not enough for the new Communist Party frontrunner. The enterprise also provides local medical specialists and teachers with zero-interest loans allowing them to purchase real estate in the neighbouring town, according to some reports.<\/p>\n

A kindergarten, with its construction sponsored by Grudinin\u2019s enterprise, has become a true local landmark. The building indeed looks like a castle of Snow White and Prince Charming, while the children\u2019s main playground, dubbed \u2018The valley of Fairy Tales,\u2019 resembles another world, filled with Russian bogatyrs (strongmen) and graceful mermaids. The venue even attracted<\/a> international attention.<\/p>\n

People on social media have repeatedly praised Grudinin\u2019s efforts, saying that\u2019s how a businessman should operate. His catchphrase, "We can\u2019t be rich in a poor country,"<\/em> is repeatedly quoted<\/a> in various blogs.<\/p>\n