ABSTRACT
The communist parties of Western Europe established after the Bolshevik Revolution never had an easy existence. Because of their sometimes unequivocal, sometimes reluctant defense of the authoritarian Soviet regimes of Eastern Europe, they lost a certain legitimacy resulting from the October Revolution or later victory over fascism. Most of them were unable to break with the pro-Soviet attitudes and paid for it with their marginalization during the 1950s and 1960s. Even the Italian communists who distanced themselves from the Soviet system realized there is not enough space between social democracy and pro-Soviet communism, and transformed to the first in the late 1980s. The collapse of Soviet Union meant undoubtedly a great shock for the communists in the West of Europe. However, the political parties that identify with communism or other radical left not only survived it but also since the 2000s have been showing a remarkable new vitality. However, the discussions on the communist past, particularly on Stalinism and causes of the 1989-collapse, remained a burden on radical left-wing identity. The past is also shaping their attitude toward the European Union, although not exclusively: On one hand, all of the existing orthodox communist parties are clearly anti-EU, but on the other hand, parties of progressive left are rather divided on the issue between “Eurosceptic” (Scandinavian) and parties supporting the European integration.
