Organizationally and politically, the CPRF is better equipped to meet the crisis than at its second Congress in 1993. Its 550,000 members are organized in 20,000 primary units in all 89 regions and republics. The Communists led in recent local parliamentary elections and, with their allies, they now lead many regions and some republics. The Party was thrust into the broad campaign for signatures demanding such elections. This is no longer a demand only supported by Communists and patriotic forces.
Support crosses all political lines.
The CPRF played a leading role in smashing the Yeltsin effort to undermine the traditional celebrations of the October Revolution. By the latest count, more than 10 million marched and demonstrated on Nov. 7 in hundreds of cities and towns throughout Russia and former Soviet republics. On Oct. 27, 8.4 million people, led by the Federation of Independent Trade Unions, marched against Yeltsin's shock therapy which has ruined Russia's economy. Over 40 percent of the demonstrations raised political demands, including resignation of the government. In the Chechen crisis, the CPRF, together with other CPs and Left forces, participated in mass demonstrations in Moscow protesting against Yeltsin's bloody military adventure.