Thread by @kamilkazani

My German friend asked me - how come all the Russians in the West voting for Communists? Red - communists won during the last elections, blue - United Russian won. Are they all ideologically driven or just voting for anyone who's against the regime?

Thread

Who are Russian communists after all? A couple years ago I heard from an English guy, 'If I went to politics, I would establish a new party. The party of nationalisation and deportation. It would be unstoppable'.

Indeed, culturally right-wing and economically left-wing party would have good chances on British political scene. Social security, protectionism, nationalisation. On the other hand, nationalism and conservatism. That's exactly the political preferences of majority of population

So, Russian Communists are exactly this imagined 'Party of nationalisation and deportation'. Economically they are left-wing. Here you see their demonstration with a sign 'Worker, fight for your rights'. Exactly as you would expect

However, culturally, they are right-wing. Christianity, family values, tradition. Communist leadership regularly attends church services. Their leader even claimed that 'The Communists have never done anything against the Church'

Let me give you one more example. During the vaccination campaign, Communists were literally the only political force that went against it. Here you see one of recent protests with a sign 'No to vaccination, arbitrary power and digitalisation. Rise up!'

So my point is. It's just wrong to think of the Russian Communist Party as of some left-wing force. Culturally and politically they are right-wing. Culturally Communist Party is the Russian GOP with the very similar electoral base. Small towns, countryside, the elderly

Why do the Communists protests the vaccination? Well, obviously because it's hugely unpopular in the regions. In Moscow very many comply. But go 2-3 hours in literally any direction by train, and you will see nearly universal disobedience

But why do Russians abroad vote for them? The opposition uses 'Smart Voting' procedure. When choosing whom to vote for, they vote for an oppositional candidate with the largest chances to win. And it is almost always a Communist. They are the largest oppositional party after all