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Social-democratic party of Russia (SDPR). Historically it was the first social-democratic party in Russia, but at present it almost ceased to exist as a real political organization due to a number of internal conflicts and disunity. Nominally there still are two fragments of this party one of which is headed by a former deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR A. Obolenskii and the other is also headed by a former deputy of the Supreme Sovjet (Council) of the USSR V. Belozertsev. They have been competing for the privilege to own the label SDPR. They are not involved in any political work though in some regions (St. Petersburg, Orjol, Karelia, Nizhnii Novgorod) they still have their regional chapters which are not numerous and small in number. Major forces of this party, headed by its first Chairman B. Orlov and board members A.Didevich, A. Utkin, V. Militarev , V. Dudchenko turned to Russian United Socialist Party leaded by M. Gorbachev. Other most prominent members of the leadership of the party, former deputies of the State Duma of the RF A. Golov, O.Beklemisheva and prominent scientists V. Sergeev, P. Kudjukin left the party. The party has not been re-registred in the Ministry of Justice as it is required by the Rusian legislation.

Social-democratic Union “Mai” (SDS “Mai”, co-chairmen are B.Lipitskii and A. Burkov) took part in parliamentary elections in 1995 as a part of a coalition “Social-Democrats”. After that it practically disappeared from the political arena though nominally it was a part of the bloc “Otechestvo vsia Rossia” (Motherland all Russia) during the elections of 1999. But none of the representatives of SDS “Mai” was included into the list of this bloc. At present B. Lipitskii is deputy of the Policy Committee of “Otechestvo” and he still has personal connections with foreign representatives of the SI and its member parties which he had in line of duty in recent times. Leadership of “Otechestvo” in the person of its leader U. Luzhkov, his deputy A. Vladislavlev, leader of a Duma faction E. Primakov have never expressed their devotion to the ideas and principles of Social-Democracy and they declare that they stick to a centrist position. Representatives of regional organizations of SDS who were members of its Policy Committee all these years B.Belyaev (Kazan), S. Lavrentiev (Ufa), A. Lukichev (Vologda), B. Guseletov (Ekaterinburg), A. Didevich (Saratov) and others came over to Gorbachev. Lipitski was close to Gorbachev during many years, and if “Otechestvo” does not take part in the upcoming elections (which is quite possible, because Luzhkov walks away from the role of a politician of a federal level as well as Primakov) it is a possibility that Lipitskii will come back to Gorbachev or some other politician of a moderately left orientation. Today “Mai” in fact has no representation in regions. A. Burkov, who is the deputy of Sverdlovsk regional parliament and the leader of the movement “Mai” who featured 0.5% at the last parliamentary elections, today together with his closest supporters A. Bakov, (a businessman who is scandalously known in the Sverdlovsk region and rumored to be close to criminal groups), A. Franz (in recent times deputy governor of the Tambov region) is taking an active part in the project of G. Seleznev on creation of a left-oriented movement “Rossija”.

“Sojuz Truda” (Labour Alliance) (ST, leader of a Duma faction A. Isev). At bottom ST is a political wing of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions (FITU, Chairman B. Shmakov) and its regional organizations are based on regional branches of FITU. Isaev prior to his election to the State Duma in December 1999 was the Secretary of FITU. During parliamentary elections of 1999 ST allied with and became a part of the coalition “Otechestvo vsia Rossija” representing the interests of FITU within this coalition or more exactly of its federal and regional leadership. In prospective future it is unlikely to be of any independent political importance and will most probably act merely as a political lobby of FITU which will be looking for a new ally durung the parliamentary elections within the framework of the left spectrum without any exclusion made for CPSU.

Movement “Social-Democrats” (SD, leader G. Popov, executive director A. Ryvkin). It was created during the parliamentary elections of 195 and basically consisted of representatives of SDS and Russian movement of Political Reforms. It took part independently during the parliamentary elections of 1999 at which it had the worst results featuring 0.13% of votes. Organizationally speaking, today it has transformed in fact into a softer structure named Congress of Social-Democrats which plays the part of a Round Table in Russian Social-Democracy. A. Ryvkin is also a member of the Policy Committee of RUSDP of M. Gorbachev and G. Popov is a member of Expert Council of RUSDP. It has no regional structure though there is a small central organ in Moscow nominally headed by M. Slependyaev. It has some intellectual potential in the person of G. Popov and his closest collegues.

“International Union” (IU, leader A. Mikitaev). A social and political organization which is not numerous and left-oriented. This organization basically unites representatives from Northern Caucasia. In 1999 it took part in parliamentary elections within the coalition together with social-democrats of G. Popov. At present Mikitaev is a member of the Policy Committee of RUSDP and those small regional organizatios of IU also became a part of RUSDP.

Socialist party of Russia (SPR, leader I. Rybkin). One of the oldest left-oriented parties in Russia which used to have a lot of followers and supporters and a vast regional representation (more than 50 regions). Not long ago a number of governors, vice-governors, heads of local administrations, etc. were members of leading organs of SPR. It has good contacts with the SI and some of its member parties (Austrian, German, Swedish, etc.). SPR actively participated in parliamentary elections of 1995 and 1999. During the last elections it featured ~ 0.3% of votes. Today its position is not favourable, the number of its members and regional organizations has drastically shrunk but there is an office and staff in Moscow. After the September mission of the SI (headed by Prime-Minister of Sweden J. Persson) a preliminary understanding about unification was reached between SPT and RUSDP.

Labour party (LP, leader V. Serdjukov). It is a small left-oriented party represented mainly in the North of Russia (St. Petersburg and some other regions). It did not take part in federal elections independently but it has good contacts with Trade Unions in its region. Serdjukov became a member of the Policy Committee of RUSDP headed by M. Gorbachev.

Party of self-government of the workers (PST, its leader a well-known businessman and politician who died in spring this year S. Fedorov, leader of its executive secretariat B. Slavin). The party actively participated in parliamentary elections of 1995 and 1999. During the last elections it acted within a coalition with “Sojuz Narodovlastija i truda” (Alliance of Democracy and Labour) headed by general Nikolaev, Socialist Party of the Workers and “Movement for a new Socialism” but it accrued only 0.5% of votes. After tragic death of its leader S. Fedorov a part of the Policy Council of the party decided to unite with “Edinstvo” (Unity) Party and the other part united with the movement “Rossija” (Russia) led by Seleznev. The final decision about the future of the party was to be made at a routine Congress which is scheduled for November 2000. At present B. Slavin is a political advisor of M. Gorbachev in RUSDP.

“Sojuz Narodovlastija i Truda” (Alliance of Democracy and Labour, SNT) headed by a deputy of the State Duma general Nikolaev. SNT in coalition with PST and SPT actively participated in parliamentary elections of 1999. General Nikolaev was elected deputy of the State Duma in a one-mandate electoral district. At present he is in charge of a Duma Commission on Defence. In the beginning of the year of 2000 Nikolaev planned to unite various left and left-centrist forces but due to unknown reasons he rejected this idea. Today Nikolaev and SNT play no important part on the political arena of the county. There is just a small office in Moscow and a few regional chapters.

Socialist Party of the Workers (SPT, leader L. Vartazarova). During the last parliamentary elections it was a part of an electoral coalition Fedorov-Nikolaev. Now Vartazarova works in the apparatus of the Federation Council as a state employee and therefore cannot act independently in a political sphere. There is no possibility for the party to act independently on the political arena, its regional chapters are not numerous. Most probably that if the party is able to re-register at the Ministry of Justice of the RF, it would take part in the next parliamentary elections as a part of some left-centrist coalition playing far not the leading part.

“Movement for a new socialism” (DNS, leader N. Zhukova). During the last parliamentary elections it always was a part of the coalition Fedorov Nikolaev. Until now DNS was supported by a former head of presidential administration Petrov, who is in charge of State Investment Corporation and Guta-bank. After Petrov distanced from DNS it lost its financial support and at bottom it is a marginal political formation which now plays no serious role in the political life of the country.

Russian Socialist party (RSP, leader businessman and politician V. Brynzalov). The party participated in the last parliamentary elections independently, having acquired ~ 0.3% of votes. Its regional chapters were based on representations of Brynzalovs firm “Ferein”. After the elections the party decided to become a part of “Edinstvo” (Unity). As an independent political force it has no prospects.

Social and political left-centrist movement “Rossija” (Russia) OPD “Rossija”, leader speaker of the State Duma, member of the CPSU G. Seleznev. In summer of the year of 2000 a constituent Congress of the movement was held. Mass media gave a vast coverage of this project considering it to be a serious opportunity of creating a powerful left-centrist political organization in Russia which would be capable of diverting a considerable number of traditional votes in favour of the CPSU. Many people have justly pointed out the fact that this project has been worked out under the supervision of the presidential administration (in particular - deputy head Surkov). It provided substantial financial and organizational support. The leader of the movement G. Seleznev, who is a very important figure in Russian politics mainly due to the position he occupies (speaker of the Lower Chamber of the Parliament). He is known for his nearness both to the leader of the CPSU G. Zjuganov and to the presidential administration. But he has always been a second-rate politician and never played an independent part. This time he also displayed his dependence. When in September of this year Zjuganov came out with harsh criticism of Seleznev and threatened him with expulsion from the CPSU which might entail Seleznevs losing the position of a speaker, Seleznev made a statement at a Congress of the Social-democratic Alliance, which was created and leaded by Zjuganov, saying that he remains to be the closest ally of Zjganov and that no one could cause them to quarrel. There are not any more serious politicians in this social and political movement “Rossija” and this grants “Rossija” little chance of becoming a powerful and independent left-centrist organization by the upcoming elections. In all probability Seleznev would keep on maneuvering between the leadership of CPSU and presidential administration which will result in further disorientation of his potential voters. Presidential administration may continue supporting this project hoping to have a tight control over the leadership of the social and political movement “Rossija” counting on the possibility that it will divert a considerable number of votes from CPSU and will pose a lesser opposition to the Kremlin in a new Duma. Regional organizations of “Rossija” are financially supported from Moscow and from some regional structures of some social organizations which are neither numerous nor popular in Russia and which officially became members of “Rossija”.

Russian United Social Democratic Party (RUSDP, leader Mikhail Gorbachev). Its constituent Congress took place in March 2000. Representatives of the following parties became members of RUSDP: SDPR, SDS, SD, MS, LP, Russian Movement for Political Reforms, Labor party, movement “New Left” and others. Presently RUSDP has 73 regional chapters.

Initiative on creation of a United Social-Democratic party appeared in the fall of 1999 when the participants of the 3rd Congress of social-democrats addressed Gorbachev with a proposal to consolidate social-democrats in Russia. In the fall of 1999 Gorbachev arrived at the conclusion that there is a necessity to form a powerful social-democratic party in Russia. He stated his political commitment to the idea of Social Democracy a number of times. Thus, based on the understanding which was reached concerning historical demand for a social-democratic component in present-day political life of Russia there appeared an organizational committee which issued its address to Russian citizens and engaged itself with preparatory work for a constituent Congress of RUSDP.

The constituent Congress elected Gorbachev Chairman of RUSDP, formed the Policy Committee of the party which included 29 participants and adopted party program guiding lines. These guiding lines reflected major social-democratic values: inalienable human rights and civil freedoms, importance of harmonization of scientific and technical, economic and social progress, accent on social partnership as a considerable mechanism of all-nation development, indisputable value of socially fair relations. Each forth delegate to the constituent Congress of RUSDP was a young man which enabled immediate creation of a youth party organization. Initiative presently taken by our St. Petersburg representatives resulted in the fact that we have supporters in 62 regions of the RF. In the near future a constituent Congress of the youth organization of RUSDP will take place.

At the end of May, 2000 after RUSDP was registered at the Ministry of Justice of the RF there was a Plenary Session of the party at which the current political line of RUSDP concerning a number of important issues was defined. The Plenary Session approved actions taken by the new President on the reform of power on the whole characterizing these actions as those meeting expectations of the people who voted for a renovation of the policy of the country and for a renovation of power. At the same time the Plenary Session pointed out the fact that if the actions of President run contrary to these expectations then social-democrats would be critical of such actions. Foundation for this position rests in social-democratic values and approaches to practical political tasks and it has been proved by great experience of Social- Democracy worldwide and by impressive results of political activities of social-democratic movement in Europe where social-democrats are acting more than 150 years.

The first Plenary Session of the Policy Committee of RUSDP adopted the decision to prepare a full-scale program of the party. Program commission was chaired by the Chairman of the party M. Gorbachev. Prominent scientists, public figures and cultural workers became members of this party program development group. The program is planned to be adopted at the second Congress of RUSDP maybe even before the end of the year of 2000. Within the framework of measures taken in order to develop a new program of the party Gorbachev is invited to give a supplementary report at the conference of Social-Democratic party of Germany which is also devoted to the problem of developing a new program for SPD.

Currently the leadership of the party has good contacts with the leadership of the country. Gorbachev had a number of meetings with President Putin and had a chance to discuss with him various issues of domestic and foreign politics as well as those concerning the prospects of Social-Democracy in the RF.

Initiative of Gorbachev was actively supported by the leaders of leading Western social-democratic parties: Guterres, Prime Minister of the Republic of Portugal, President of the SI, Schroeder, Federal Chancellor of the FRG, Chairman of SPD, D. Horn, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary, vice-president of the SI, Sharping Chairman of the Party of European Left, etc.

Party “Yabloko” (leader Yavlinskii). The party actively participates in parliamentary elections since 1993 and each time it succeeded to get over a 5% barrier. In 1993 SDPR became a part of a political coalition “Yabloko” and was represented in the faction of this coalition in the State Duma by A. Golov, O. Beklemisheva. Deputy L. Shanis had similar views and commitments. V. Igrunov who was in charge of the apparatus of the party also made statements about his commitment to the ideas of Social Democracy. At his meetings with the leaders of European Social-Democracy which took place during his numerous foreign tours Yavlinskii gave to understand that he is close to them as to his ideological grounds. In Russia, however, he never said that he shares these ideas, though he had no objections against having a social-democratic wing in the faction.

Following the elections of 1999 a social-democratic faction in “Yabloko” practically disappeared. Golov, Beklemisheva and Shanis are no longer members of this deputy faction. Igrunov is removed from the position of a leader of the apparatus and his chair is taken by a sheer liberal A. Artemiev. At present “Yabloko” is actively negotiating with a right-liberal Alliance of Right Forces which is headed by well-known A. Chubais, S. Kirienko, B. Nemtsov and others about coalition or close cooperation during the upcoming elections.

Social and political movement “Otechestvo” (Fatherland) (The leader mayor of Moscow U. Luzhkov). During parliamentary elections of 1999 it featured 13% of votes and formed its coalition in the State Duma under the leadership of E. Primakov. “Sojuz Truda” and “ Social-Democratic Sojuz Mai” are collective members of “Otechestvo”. It created the necessary prerequisites for “Otechestvo” to become a consolidating force for a renovation of Russian Social-Democracy. But, unfortunately, the course of events during the lapse of time after the elections dashed these hopes mainly because the leaders of “Otechestvo” failed to take this opportunity. During this period they have never expressed in public their commitment to the idea of Social-Democracy and the intention to unite various left parties and movements under their wing. Moreover, executive secretary of “Otechestvo” A. Vladislavlev who at bottom is the person empowered to act for Luzhkov in “Otechestvo” more than once made statements in Russian mass media according to which social-democratic ideology has exhausted itself as such in Russia and it has no prospects. Secondly, during the last parliamentary elections “Otechestvo” was in stiff opposition to Putin. And today relations between Putin and Luzhkov are still very strained in their political aspect. Finally, to all appearances Luzhkov made a decision to give up the career of a political figure of a federal scope and this means that his support of “Otechestvo” (both financial and organizational) would be gradually phasing down. This is especially apparent if we take into consideration the fact that in the near future Moscow will have to repay a credit of Western countries (totaling a few billion of US dollars). At the same time a number of regional organizations of “Otechestvo” (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kurgan, Tumen, Kemerovo, Primorskii Krai and others) actively participated in creation of RUSDP which is headed by M. Gorbachev. In this connection possibility of their further active participation in this project remains.