ABSTRACT
Amidst unprecedented changes in Eastern Europe, where the communist parties were already forced to give up their power monopoly, the Soviet Communist Party, though split into various national and ideological factions, still holds decisive powers. But the economy is struggling with increasing difficulties, and this, combined with deepening national and ideological conflicts, may eventually endanger Gorbachev’s reform policies. The main concern of the leadership are rising social and nationalist tensions connected with the deteriorating economy. Growing national conflicts and economic and social disorder have resulted in the current stalemate of reform discussions. Radical economic reform is seen in the introduction of an efficient planned market economy. The central powers should focus on issues of defence, elaboration of global economic programs, uniform monetary, foreign exchange and customs policy as well as selected other issues. In view of the numerous and extremely complex problems, the elaboration of a new contract about the Soviet Union now enjoys the highest priority.
