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Leader of Russia's Communists warns parliament of risk of revolution due to faltering economy
Reuters ^ | 22 April 2026 | Andrew Osborn

Posted on 04/23/2026 2:14:35 AM PDT by Apparatchik

MOSCOW, April 22 (Reuters) - The veteran leader of Russia's Communist Party has warned parliament that the ​country's faltering economy risks stoking a 1917-style revolution and that the government needs to take urgent measures to correct ‌its course.

Gennady Zyuganov, 81, issued his warning to a plenary session of the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, ahead of a parliamentary election due in September, according to a recording of his speech posted on the Duma's official website.

"We’re doing everything we can to support (President Vladimir) Putin and his ​strategy and policies, but you (the government) are not listening," he said, in comments made on Tuesday. They drew some ​applause and were carefully listened to by Vyacheslav Volodin, the Duma speaker and a close Putin ally.

Zyuganov ⁠said a recent government meeting convened by Putin had been the gloomiest in a long time.

"If you (the government) do not urgently adopt ​financial, economic and other measures, by autumn a repeat of what happened in 1917 awaits us. We don't have the right to ​repeat that. Let's take some decisions."

(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Russia
KEYWORDS: economics; economy; gennadyzyuganov; putin; putinswar; revolution; russia; volodin; vyacheslavvolodin; zyuganov
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Gee, when even the Communists think you’re f*****g up…
1 posted on 04/23/2026 2:14:35 AM PDT by Apparatchik
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To: Apparatchik

I think there’s an open window in his future


2 posted on 04/23/2026 2:35:39 AM PDT by nuconvert ( Warning: Accused of being a radical militarist. Approach with caution.)
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To: nuconvert

Window cancer. Quite prevalent these days in Moscow.


3 posted on 04/23/2026 2:53:59 AM PDT by donozark (Trump isn't a fascist. America's trains still do not run on time.)
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To: Apparatchik

There is no government. The Vertical of Power means the guy at the top, Vladimir Putin, is the government. And Vlad can’t solve the economy because the war is the economy’s problem. If Vlad stops the war, he also will lose his position at the top. There is no graceful exit from The Top. There will be no retirement. Putin is the elderly wolf surrounded by younger, stronger wolves vying for his position.

Nobody in the employee of “the government” meaning Vladimir Putin, dares to say that the actual problem is Vladimir Putin and it is Putin who must be overthrown so the economy can begin to heal. So, they use euphemisms like the economy is bad therefore “we” meaning Putin, are risking a revolution if “we” don’t solve the economic problem.

Russia is in a bad situation. In any other country, if the leader dies there are institutions that step up and The Government continues without a hitch. But those institutions have been gutted. Nobody has a clear path to leadership so that when, and it will happen, Putin dies Russia will be in chaos. The normal practice of dictators is to groom a son to take their place. In Putin’s case, not even that option is available.

No matter what Russia will eventually suffer its revolution.


4 posted on 04/23/2026 3:02:46 AM PDT by Gen.Blather (I had a tagline and I dropped it. The cat back-pawed it under the Barcalounger. )
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To: Apparatchik
Gennady Zyuganov, 81 doesn't have much time left to revolt.
5 posted on 04/23/2026 3:23:06 AM PDT by McGruff
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To: Gen.Blather
Well, here I was, feeling all "down in the mouth" today, and there you went and made me feel like I was walking on Cloud Nine!

Regards,

6 posted on 04/23/2026 3:27:32 AM PDT by alexander_busek (Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.)
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To: Apparatchik

Yeah, have a communist revolution! Because it worked so well last time!

/sarc>

CC


7 posted on 04/23/2026 3:30:33 AM PDT by Celtic Conservative (Heghlu'meH QaQ jajvam!)
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To: McGruff

To me he’s already revolting.

((Rimshot))

CC


8 posted on 04/23/2026 3:32:47 AM PDT by Celtic Conservative (Heghlu'meH QaQ jajvam!)
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To: Apparatchik
I must confess that I simply assumed that Gennady Zyuganov was an ex-leader of the Communist Party - but he is in fact still a member in good standing and even holds high office!

Which is why his warning about a "1917-style" revolution puzzles me - that revolution (eventually) ushered in Communist Rule for ca. 70 years. So you'd think that, among devote Communists, that sort of comparison would feel somewhat... off.

Wouldn't a comparison with the dissolution of the Soviet Union in the early 90s have sounded more ominous in their ears?

Regards,

9 posted on 04/23/2026 3:37:13 AM PDT by alexander_busek (Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.)
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To: alexander_busek

1917 is more abstract, mentioning 1990s is still fresh in many people’s minds, and pitin’s “greatest geopolitical catastrophe “ hits too close to home

But both are relevant to what is facing russia


10 posted on 04/23/2026 3:47:08 AM PDT by blitz128
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To: Gen.Blather

Maybe Mamdami can be a successor


11 posted on 04/23/2026 4:00:18 AM PDT by 2nd Amendment
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