[Marxism] Czech CP converts to liberalism

[Louis Proyect <lnp3@xxxxxxxxx>]

Czech Communists shrug off Marx, look to future

By Alan Crosby
Reuters
Saturday, April 8, 2006; 9:20 PM

PRAGUE (Reuters) - A statue of Karl Marx still greets visitors to the
headquarters of the Czech Communist Party but the party's message ahead of
June elections is clear -- the "dictatorship of the proletariat" will not
come back.

Currently lying third in opinion polls with support of about 12 percent,
the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSCM), is as close to power as
it has been since the overthrow of its Soviet-style predecessor in November
1989.

Once considered a pariah for any party to cooperate with, the Communists
are slowly moving toward the mainstream of politics, ruling out
nationalizing property while talking about more liberal economic policies
that ensure personal freedoms as well as a strong social welfare network.

"We support a pluralistic democracy," party leader Vojtech Filip told
Reuters in an interview.

"We don't care who is an owner as long as the rights of all owners have the
same protection."

Even views on foreign policy -- traditionally one of the biggest
differences with mainstream parties -- have softened.

The Communists are still against Czech membership of their Cold War foe
NATO, but no longer mind European Union membership, and say they can accept
adoption of the euro currency in 2010 so long as the economy is ready.

The party has changed its logo to red cherries and a white star from the
brooding hammer and sickle and red star of one-party rule under communism.

PEACE DIVIDEND

The move to emulate many policies of leftist European parties is paying
dividends.

The Communists stand a good chance of supporting a minority government led
by the leftist Social Democrats of Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek, especially
if Filip captures the aimed-for 20 percent of the vote -- slightly more
than the party won in 2002.

Paroubek has spoken of such a deal, noting the Communists would not be
allowed into government posts, an arrangement Filip said he would accept to
help stave off a rightist government.

"Our key word is tax justice. Not raising taxes, not lowering them. We need
a just tax system," he said.

Though its core electorate remains older Czechs who have fallen behind
economically in the transition to a free market economy, the Communists
have attracted some young voters and pushed forward younger members to show
its new face.

Analysts said the changes might be splitting the party and the strong
position of the far left members remains an obstacle.

A move too far to the center may leave little distance between the
Communists and parties such as the Social Democrats.

"The hardliners doom the party to a position where it will be waiting a
long time for an opportunity because they deprive it of coalition
potential," said political analyst Jiri Pehe.

"It (the party) can blackmail other parties, it can sometimes dictate a
little bit, but it will only be an influential back-seat driver in the
political game.

"Will anyone be interested in making compromises with the Communists if it
will suffice to wait for it (the party) to fade away?" Pehe added.

Not all voters are impressed by the kindler, gentler rhetoric now espoused
by the party either.

Many still bristle at the thought of Communists holding any power in the
public administration.

At a recent exhibition on Communist crimes in Prague, dozens of former
political prisoners and their families gathered amid a display of documents
and photographs depicting the brutality and loss suffered during the
hardline Communist era.

Nadezda Kavalirova was one of those who suffered under Communist rule --
spending three years in prison -- and is aghast that the party garners such
large support.

She said she is wary of the party's rehabilitation.

"We, the political prisoners, perceive this (continued popularity of the
party) as creeping communism," she said.

(Additional reporting by Jan Korselt)

--

www.marxmail.org


________________________________________________
YOU MUST clip all extraneous text before replying to a message.
Send list submissions to: Marxism@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/marxism