Russian Communists set to win Parliamentary elections

[Revolution Hero]

This information is taken from official KPRF site:

" Sergei MARKOV, director of the Institute of Political
Studies (Russian Academy of Sciences), predicts that the
Communist Party of the Russian Federation (KPRF) is going to win parliamentary elections in December 2003.
Talking to a Trud correspondent, Markov noted that the
inertial scenario of the Russian political situation's
development pre-supposed a stable social situation that would enable the United Russia party to obtain the majority of all State Duma seats. However, this scenario may fail to come true.
This can be explained by several factors.The political elite has failed in its efforts to establish a normal party of power, Markov stressed. Meanwhile United
Russia isn't a very attractive-looking organization in this
respect, he added. The United Russia party has so far failed to suggest any clear-cut election campaign concept.
Markov, who has connections in the Kremlin's corridors of power, considers this to be the party's main mistake. Second, an effective and comprehensive economic growth policy hasn't been drafted either. Moreover, economic growth rates tend to subside at a time when United Russia says that it's responsible for all nationwide developments.
The Government is almost completely controlled by
big-league oligarchic monopolies, Markov believes. At the same time, small businesses and medium-size companies lack any favorable conditions for their development, he added.
The political science expert draws attention to the fact
that nationwide strikes are now picking up momentum. These strikes are being caused by persisting wage arrears, the crisis of the housing and municipal-utilities reform, as well as by those unpredictable consequences of the projected power industry reform and corrupt local authorities. In the obtaining situation, the KPRF has better chances of winning parliamentary elections because it can unite all protest-minded and
opposition voters."

[Aleksander Nordby]

The russian communist party had almost 30%, last ther was a election in russia.

[redstar2000]

But is the KPRF still "communist" in any meaningful sense of the word?

Do they plan to take back (renationalize WITHOUT compensation) all the plunder of the oligarchs (including their foreign bank accounts where they stash much of their loot)? Will they enforce a new foreign policy of alliance with and support of the victims of U.S. imperialism? Will they rebuild the old Soviet educational and public health systems? Will they repudiate the "debts" to the IMF, etc. contracted by the oligarchs? Will they repudiate the contracts signed with western multi-national corporations that virtually give away Russian resources for, at best, some technological assistance?

It is not now and has never been sufficient for a political group to call itself "communist" and let it go at that. If they win, WHAT will they do?

:cool:

[Smoking Frog II]

go communist party!

[Revolution Hero]

Quote: from redstar2000 on 11:57 pm on Jan. 17, 2003
But is the KPRF still "communist" in any meaningful sense of the word?

Do they plan to take back (renationalize WITHOUT compensation) all the plunder of the oligarchs (including their foreign bank accounts where they stash much of their loot)? Will they enforce a new foreign policy of alliance with and support of the victims of U.S. imperialism? Will they rebuild the old Soviet educational and public health systems? Will they repudiate the "debts" to the IMF, etc. contracted by the oligarchs? Will they repudiate the contracts signed with western multi-national corporations that virtually give away Russian resources for, at best, some technological assistance?

It is not now and has never been sufficient for a political group to call itself "communist" and let it go at that. If they win, WHAT will they do?

:cool:


Quote:"Do they plan to take back (renationalize WITHOUT compensation) all the plunder of the oligarchs (including their foreign bank accounts where they stash much of their loot)?"

Yes, they do.

Quote:"Will they enforce a new foreign policy of alliance with and support of the victims of U.S. imperialism? "

Yes, they will.

Quote:" Will they repudiate the "debts" to the IMF, etc. contracted by the oligarchs?"

If these debts are state debts the state is obliged to pay them. No matter if the state is capitalistic or socialistic. It depends what kind of debts these are. If the debts are registered as state debts the answer on your question is NO.

Quote:"Will they repudiate the contracts signed with western multi-national corporations that virtually give away Russian resources for, at best, some technological assistance?"

Probably, yes.

Quote:"If they win, WHAT will they do?"

Answering on your questions I talked about what KPRF's actions would be like if the party comes to the real power, which means state power.
As long as KPRF is presented in the bourgeois parliament it can't do much. Even if it has the majority of seats in Duma it doesn't mean that KPRF is free to implement it's own policy. The rest of the parliament serve as opposition to any parliamentary initiative of KPRF. So, the whole picture is not that great. Having a majority of seats in Duma ( in comparison to the other parties) KPRF has minority ( in comparison to the informally " united" opposition, which includes all centrist and right- winged parties).
KPRF still can influence on policy, but the party is not completely dominant.
Successful Parliamentary elections will mean a lot to KPRF, as this success will be the first step to the successful Presidential elections.


It is very interesting how you, redstar, talk about KPRF without knowing anything about the party, it's platform, main aims and targets. What you hear from the bourgeois mass media is a lie and you should NOT be that naive to believe it.

KPRF is the only communistic force which is able to lead Russia and the rest of the post- soviet republics to socialism.

[CompadreGuerrillera]

well from what im hearing...
the ppl there are protesting to vote, they dont trust the government anymore(who in their right mind would) the current situation in Russian is appalling, the Mob basically controlls the government, their attempt at capitalism failed. now the want communism again...
its a big mess
i dont think any progress will be made, or expected to be made

[redstar2000]

Actually, RH, there has been no coverage of the KPRF in the bourgeois media that I've seen. That's why I asked so many questions about it.

If I understand you correctly now, the KPRF is expected to be the largest party in the Duma but is not expected to win an outright majority. (Correct me if I'm wrong.)

So it's a hopeful step in a good direction.

By the way--and you should know this--a new communist government is NOT "obligated" to pay any debts to the IMF/World Bank of other western finance capitalists.

Bankers are not "gods" but mortal men just like ourselves. We communists do not tremble in awe of their magical powers...we tell them to piss off! If Lenin could do it, then the KPRF should be able to do it. What are the bankers going to do...reposses your country?

:cool:

[Revolution Hero]

Quote: from redstar2000 on 4:22 pm on Jan. 23, 2003
Actually, RH, there has been no coverage of the KPRF in the bourgeois media that I've seen. That's why I asked so many questions about it.

If I understand you correctly now, the KPRF is expected to be the largest party in the Duma but is not expected to win an outright majority. (Correct me if I'm wrong.)

So it's a hopeful step in a good direction.

By the way--and you should know this--a new communist government is NOT "obligated" to pay any debts to the IMF/World Bank of other western finance capitalists.

Bankers are not "gods" but mortal men just like ourselves. We communists do not tremble in awe of their magical powers...we tell them to piss off! If Lenin could do it, then the KPRF should be able to do it. What are the bankers going to do...reposses your country?

:cool:

Quote:” If I understand you correctly now, the KPRF is expected to be the largest party in the Duma but is not expected to win an outright majority.”

It is impossible for the Communist Party to pass the social oriented law (for example, rising workers’ salaries) if the rest of the Parliament votes NO on this initiative.
Considering that KPRF will have the majority of Duma’s seats, one can conclude that to win “outright majority” is impossible.

Quote:” By the way--and you should know this--a new communist government is NOT "obligated" to pay any debts to the IMF/World Bank of other western finance capitalists.”

The state has to pay its state debts. Just like modern Russian government pays Soviet debts (those which were made during Gorbachev), new communist government will pay them too.
BTW, KPRF can refuse of paying debts of Yeltsin’s clan, but it will definitely pay Soviet debts.

[Felicia]

I don't know, I hope that Russia becomes a "communist" country again :)

[Sirion]

I hope they become Communist, and not "Communist"

[TXsocialist]

I have a question as well:

will they bring back the old bureaucracy and vile anti-democratic ways? Or do they at least ophold Lenin's original plan?

[Sirion]

I don't know this for certain, but most likely, there will be somewhere in between. I read earlier this year that 9 of 12 russians wanted to recreate the Soviet Union, so they are likely to follow that course a bit. However, the have also learned from the past, and I belive they will be more and more leninistic...

This is just my "opinion" though, wildly different things may happen

[Felicia]

Quote: from Sirion on 1:41 pm on Jan. 30, 2003
I hope they become Communist, and not "Communist"

Yeah, but there has never been a true communist state, that's why I wrote "communist" because they can get close, maybe..........

[Non-Sectarian Bastard!]

Felicia really like your new avatar! :)

[Revolution Hero]

Quote: from TXsocialist on 3:58 am on Jan. 31, 2003
I have a question as well:

will they bring back the old bureaucracy and vile anti-democratic ways? Or do they at least ophold Lenin's original plan?


Sirion was completely right answering on your question. KPRF learned from the past…As for us young communists, we will do everything possible to make things better…

[Kez]

fuck them, theyre opportunist unprincipled bastards, and the same shit will happen that happened last time, fuck them and their beaurocracy!

[antieverything]

I have high hopes for the new Communist movement in Russia. You guys keep fighting, RH...better to have an empty shell of a democracy that is socialist than one that is capitalist.

[SonofRage]

I would really like to see Democratic Socialism in Russia. It would be a great step in the right direction.

[antieverything]

So would almost all of us but the reason why the CP has such a good chance of coming back to power is that they have name recognition...the socialist movement in Russian is fragmented and not all that powerful.

...so, does the CP plan to institute a one-party state if they gain enough power to rewrite the constitution?

[Revolution Hero]

Quote from Tavareesh Kamo:” fuck them, theyre opportunist unprincipled bastards, and the same shit will happen that happened last time, fuck them and their beaurocracy!”

That is the most rational reply in this thread; pure emotions and lack of brain’s thought…Keep it up this way, Kamo!


Quote from antieverything:” ...so, does the CP plan to institute a one-party state if they gain enough power to rewrite the constitution?”

KPRF just has to do it. That is what I believe it should do. As I remember there is not a word about establishing one party system in their platform. But probably they will establish it.
What KPRF will be able to do is to hold a referendum on this question, so the population will decide if they want one-party system or not. But be sure that if KPRF will come to the real power (this means that it will be supported by the majority of the population), the people will vote for the one-party system.

[antieverything]

...so, if they decide that they want to be ruled by the communist party at the moment it means that they will choose to be ruled by the communist party forever? So, if my great-great-grandparents voted for a party 100 years ago, that party would be justified in continuing to rule even if they do not have the mandate of the current generation?

[Kez]

the KPRF are a joke, they are unprincipled opportunist bastards. They will only stain the idea of comunism once more. Lets hope there is a true rebirth of communnism some time in Russia

All power to the Soviets!
None to the beurocrats!

[Revolution Hero]

Quote from antieverything:” so, if they decide that they want to be ruled by the communist party at the moment it means that they will choose to be ruled by the communist party forever?”

Referendum which will indicate the level of trust to one party system can be held each 25 years, so such liberals like you would be satisfied and would not complain about lack of democracy…Sounds like a good idea, the time will come and it will be brought into life.

Quote from Kamo:” the KPRF are a joke, they are unprincipled opportunist bastards. They will only stain the idea of comunism once more.”

You repeated yourself. It is not a good sign, you know…
This is your subjective opinion; obviously you don’t know anything about KPRF. It is the only real communist power, which is able to change capitalistic reality of modern Russia.

[nz revolution]

I like the sound of this RH, but 25 years is a long time. I think 10 should be the max, but who are we to decide. The people of the Russian Federation will decide.

I hope they crank up the Progress Publishing press again, curse them for turning great works into pulp (Yeltsin and Co.)

And make us some more Lenin badges...

[Revolution Hero]

25 years period is the time of one generation changing another, so young people will decide for themselves if they agree with the system or not. Also this kind of procedure will serve as stimulus for the Communist government to show good results in internal and external policy as well…

[Revolution Hero]

25 years period is the time of one generation changing another, so young people will decide for themselves if they agree with the system or not. Also this kind of procedure will serve as stimulus for the Communist government to show good results in internal and external policy as well…

[Pete]

Interesting...The NDP is picking up steam in Canada, soon they will be #2 in opinion polls if this trend keeps going:D