Locally, Communists and nationalists successfully elected several gubernatorial candidates in 1996. In part, the constitutional organization of the Russian state has made opposition difficult. The system gives most powers to the presidency and assigns few powers to the opposition-dominated parliament. Economics also has stymied the emergence of an effective opposition. The Communists have relied primarily on poor pensioners for electoral support.
Pensioners lack both the financial means and the organization to create a threatening opposition.
Without a middle class, there can be no real opposition. Most important, the Communists have failed because they are still Communists. Although critical of aspects of capitalism, these parties nonetheless endorsed markets and democracy. In contrast, Russian Communists have championed a nostalgic vision, and the party's rank and file have resisted efforts by their leaders to modernize. In the short term, the Yeltsin coalition has benefited tremendously from this weak opposition.