Nikolenko K.D. The turning point in history of development of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (1999-2003): loss of initiative and decline in the influence

Abstract: This article is dedicated to the examination of the stage of activity of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF) at the time of establishment of the new political regime in Russia. The author analyzes the parliamentary and mass work of the Communists, underlining the peculiarities of positioning in the regular convocation of State Duma, in which the party did not have the absolute majority. Special attention is given to the formation of the tactical coalition with pro-presidential powers, crises processes in “red belt”, and tension inside the CPRF due to disagreement among its leadership. As one of the major sources, the author uses the operational stenographs of the sessions of the lower house of Russian parliament. The author believes that the parliamentary vector is the main for the modern Communist Party. During the course of this research, this position found its substantiation. The choice of the party of its way of assumption to power through the elections, justifies its willingness to compromise, movability in ideological applied sense, as well as adherence to the trends in public opinion. During the course of this research it was revealed that the period of 1999-2003 became one of the determinative for the further way of development of the Communist Party. It ended in a major defeat at the parliamentary elections, as the result of which the organization lost its authority and influence, which led to the insurmountable negative consequences.  

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