Gennady Zyuganov was reelected as chairman of the Russian Communist Party's Central Committee on Sunday.

During the central committee's first meeting following the party's 15th congress, representatives elected the veteran politician again as the party's top helmsman.

The session, opened on the Fatherland Defenders' Day on Saturday, also marked the 20th anniversary of the party.

Zyuganov delivered a report to the participants on the first day of the two-day congress, reviewing the history of the party and envisaging its future development.

He called for unity among party members to consolidate the party, so as to win further elections in the parliament.

The Communist Party of Russia, established in 1993, has been an influential political force in Russia. It currently holds 92 seats in the State Duma or lower house of the parliament, consisting of some 158,000 members across the country. Zyuganov has been leading the party since its founding.

President Vladimir Putin and speaker of the State Duma Sergei Naryshkin as well as foreign parliamentary parties sent their greetings to the congress.