Union of Communist Parties – Communist Party of the Soviet Union

Union of Communist Parties – Communist Party of the Soviet Union
Name	Union of Communist Parties – Communist Party of the Soviet Union
Native name	Союз коммунистических партий – Коммунистическая партия Советского Союза
Abbreviation	SKP–KPSS (UCP–CPSU)
Leader	Gennady Zyuganov
Foundation	26 April 1993
Ideology	Communism, Marxism–Leninism, Soviet patriotism
Headquarters	Moscow, Russia
International	International Meeting of Communist and Workers' Parties
Website	http://www.skp-kpss.ru/

Union of Communist Parties – Communist Party of the Soviet Union is a coordinating body for communist parties across the former Soviet Union, established in the aftermath of the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Founded in Moscow in 1993, it aims to preserve ideological unity and foster political cooperation among successor parties to the original Communist Party of the Soviet Union. The organization is led by Gennady Zyuganov, the head of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, and functions as a significant platform for promoting Marxism–Leninism and Soviet patriotism across the post-Soviet states.

History

The organization was formally established on April 26, 1993, at a congress in Moscow attended by delegates from numerous former Soviet republics. This gathering was a direct response to the political turmoil following the 1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt and the subsequent banning of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Key founding figures included Oleg Shenin and other hardline members of the old CPSU Central Committee who opposed the reforms of Mikhail Gorbachev and the policies of Boris Yeltsin. Throughout the 1990s, the UCP–CPSU held regular congresses, positioning itself as the legal and ideological successor to the original party, despite challenges from rival communist groups and the complex political landscapes of newly independent nations like Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan.

Organizational structure

The supreme governing body of the UCP–CPSU is its Congress, which convenes every few years. Between congresses, authority rests with the Council of the UCP–CPSU and its Executive Committee, which are headquartered in Moscow. The organization is composed of member parties from most former Soviet republics, including the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, the Communist Party of Ukraine, and the Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova. Its structure is designed to facilitate coordination on common political campaigns, ideological education, and joint publications, maintaining a network that spans from the Baltic states to Central Asia.

Ideology and political positions

The UCP–CPSU steadfastly adheres to the doctrines of Marxism–Leninism and promotes the restoration of a unified socialist state across the territory of the former Soviet Union. It champions Soviet patriotism, vehemently opposes capitalism and globalization, and criticizes the expansion of NATO into Eastern Europe. The organization glorifies the historical legacy of the USSR, defends the policies of Joseph Stalin, and consistently condemns what it labels as the "bourgeois nationalism" of post-Soviet governments. Its platform calls for the renationalization of key industries, the reinstatement of social guarantees from the Soviet era, and strong opposition to the European Union.

Leadership and prominent members

Since its inception, the UCP–CPSU has been predominantly led by Gennady Zyuganov, who also chairs the powerful Communist Party of the Russian Federation. Other notable figures have included early leader Oleg Shenin, Kazakh communist Serikbolsyn Abdildin, and longtime Belarusian representative Viktor Chikin. The leadership council includes secretaries from member parties across the Commonwealth of Independent States, such as Petro Symonenko from Ukraine and Vladimir Voronin from Moldova. These individuals often have backgrounds in the former CPSU Politburo or republican communist party leaderships.

Activities and influence

The organization's primary activities include organizing international theoretical conferences, coordinating protest actions against the governments of post-Soviet states, and publishing the newspaper Pravda and other ideological materials. It holds regular plenums and congresses, like the 2017 congress in Moscow, to set political lines. While its direct electoral influence is limited, it serves as an important forum for ideological unity, supporting member parties during elections in Russia, Moldova, and Kyrgyzstan. The UCP–CPSU also participates in the International Meeting of Communist and Workers' Parties, maintaining fraternal ties with parties like the Communist Party of China and the Communist Party of Cuba.

Electoral results and representation

The UCP–CPSU itself does not contest elections as a single entity; instead, its member parties participate in national and regional polls within their respective countries. The most successful member is the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, which has consistently been a major force in the State Duma and in regional legislatures across Russia. Other member parties, like the Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova, have formed governments, with Vladimir Voronin serving as President of Moldova. However, parties in nations such as Ukraine and the Baltic states face significant legal hurdles and have seen their parliamentary representation fluctuate dramatically since the Orange Revolution.

Category:Communist parties in Russia Category:International communist organizations Category:Political parties established in 1993 Category:Organizations based in Moscow