Communist Party of Greece

Communist Party of Greece. The Communist Party of Greece, known by its acronym KKE, is the oldest political party in modern Greece, founded in the tumultuous aftermath of the October Revolution. It played a decisive and often clandestine role in major 20th-century events, including the Greek Resistance during World War II and the subsequent Greek Civil War, which led to its temporary illegality. The party maintains a steadfast commitment to revolutionary Marxism–Leninism, opposing both capitalism and what it terms "opportunism" within the broader left, and it is organized on the principle of democratic centralism.

History

The party was established in 1918 as the Socialist Labour Party of Greece, adopting its current name in 1924 under the influence of the Comintern and its general secretary, Nikolaos Zachariadis. It was outlawed during the Metaxas Regime but emerged as the leading force in the National Liberation Front (EAM) and its military wing, the Greek People's Liberation Army, during the Axis occupation of Greece. Following the Varkiza Agreement and the outbreak of the Greek Civil War, the KKE led the Provisional Democratic Government until its military defeat in 1949, after which it operated in exile and underground until its legalization in 1974 after the fall of the Greek junta. The post-Cold War era saw intense internal conflict, leading to a major split in 1991 where the majority, often called the "traditionalist" faction, retained the party's name and orthodox line, while a reformist wing formed the Coalition of the Left, of Movements and Ecology.

Ideology and political positions

The KKE is ideologically grounded in Marxism–Leninism and proletarian internationalism, explicitly rejecting Eurocommunism, social democracy, and revisionism. It characterizes the European Union as an "imperialist union" of monopolies, advocating for Greece's disengagement from NATO and the EU. The party's program calls for the overthrow of the capitalist system and the establishment of a socialist society, which it sees as a transitional stage to communism. It is critical of other leftist forces, including Syriza, accusing them of managing the capitalist state, and maintains a distinct line from the broader communist movement by opposing forms of left-wing governance it deems complicit.

Organizational structure

The party is built on the principle of democratic centralism, with its supreme body being the Congress, held every five years, which elects the Central Committee. The Central Committee, in turn, elects the Politburo and the General Secretary, a position held since 2013 by Dimitris Koutsoumpas. Its daily newspaper is Rizospastis, and its youth wing is the Communist Youth of Greece (KNE). The party maintains a network of local organizations based in workplaces and neighborhoods, and it controls the influential Panspoudastiki, the students' union faction.

Electoral performance

The KKE has been a constant presence in the Hellenic Parliament since the restoration of democracy, typically polling between 5% and 8% of the vote. Its highest post-1974 result was 8.15% in the 2009 election, securing 21 seats. It generally refuses to participate in coalition governments, maintaining a stance of "intransigent opposition." In the 2019 elections, it won 15 seats with 5.3% of the vote, and in the June 2023 elections, it increased its share to 7.69%, gaining 20 seats. In the European Parliament, it holds two MEPs who sit with the non-affiliated members.

International relations

The KKE is a founding and leading member of the European Communist Initiative and regularly participates in the International Meeting of Communist and Workers' Parties. It maintains fraternal relations with parties it considers ideologically aligned, such as the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, the Communist Party of Turkey, and the Workers' Party of Korea. Historically, it had close ties with the Communist Party of the Soviet Union until its dissolution. The party is highly critical of what it labels "imperialist wars," including those in Ukraine and Gaza, and organizes solidarity campaigns through its front organizations.

Category:Communist Party of Greece Category:Communist parties in Greece Category:Political parties established in 1918 Category:Far-left political parties in Greece