List of communist parties




There are a number of communist parties active in various countries across the world and a number that used to be active. They differ not only in method, but also in strict ideology and interpretation, although they are generally within the Marxist communism tradition.
The formation of communist parties in various countries was first initiated by the Russian Bolsheviks within the Communist International. Since then, communist parties have governed numerous countries, whether as ruling parties in one-party states like the Communist Party of China or the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, or as ruling parties in multi-party systems, including majority and minority governments as well as leading or being part of several coalitions.
Many other communist parties did not govern any country, but they did govern several states or region within a country. Others have also been represented in the national, state or regional parliaments. Some communist parties and schools of thought reject parliamentarism, advocating in its place insurrection or social revolution as well as workers' councils.

Officially ruling in communist states

In the following countries, several communist parties either lead the ruling coalition or hold monopoly on state power as defined by their respective country's constitutions.

One-party system

Once ruling

The following is a list of left communist organizations by country which list only those political organizations and parties who officially call themselves left communist ideologically and still exist.

Organisations