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 tradition of Marxism–Leninism.
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 did govern a state or region within a country. Others have also been represented in national, state, or regional parliaments. Some communist parties and schools of thought reject parliamentarism, instead advocating insurrection or social revolution as well as workers' councils.
Officially ruling in communist states
In the following countries, communist parties either lead the ruling coalition or hold monopoly on state power as defined by their respective country's constitutions.
Ruling or part of ruling coalition in multi-party states
Main opposition in multi-party states
Formerly ruling
One-party system
Parliamentary majority or minority government
Coalition partner or supporter
(2005–2009, 2013–2014, 2021–2022) – Communist Party of Bulgaria, in coalition government as member of the Coalition for Bulgaria (1944–1948, 1966–1970, 1970–1971, 1975–1976 and 1977–1982) – Finnish People's Democratic League, in coalition governments with numerous other parties (1981–1989; 1997–2002) – French Communist Party as a part of the Union de la gauche and of the Gauche plurielle (2004–2008) – Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Communist Party of India, in the coalition government of the United Progressive Alliance (1946) – Tudeh Party of Iran, in the coalition government of Ahmad Qavam (1998–2001, 2006–2008) – Party of Italian Communists in the D'Alema I Cabinet, D'Alema II Cabinet, Amato II Cabinet with The Olive Tree; Communist Refoundation Party and Party of Italian Communists in the coalition government of The Union (2005–2014) – Malian Party of Labour, participated in the Alliance for Democracy in Mali (1945) – Communist Party of Norway in coalition government as member of Gerhardsen's First Cabinet led by the Labour Party (2011–2016) – Peruvian Communist Party, in coalition governments as member of Peru Wins (2015–2019) – Portuguese Communist Party in support of the XXI Constitutional Government of Portugal led by the Socialist Party (1945–1957, 1978–1992) – Sammarinese Communist Party, in coalition government with Sammarinese Socialist Party (1970–1975, 1994–2000, 2004–2015 and 2020–2022) – Communist Party of Sri Lanka and Lanka Sama Samaja Party, in coalition governments with numerous other parties (2005–2020) – Communist Party of Uruguay and People's Victory Party, in coalition governments as members of the Broad Front
Modern non-ruling
All-Union Communist Party, All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks), Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Bolshevik Platform of the KPSS[17]