low graphics version | feedback | help
A middle-ranking official in the Soviet Communist Party, he helped create a new party for Russia once Boris Yeltsin's ban on communism was lifted at the end of 1992.
Under his leadership the communists have for most of the ensuing period been the main rivals to Russia's ruling establishment.
Communist share of vote |
1993 ... 12.4% (parliamentary)
1995 ... 23.0% (parliamentary)
1996 ... 32% (presidential)
1999 ... 24.3% (parliamentary)
|
He achieved this result despite his main rival's overwhelming advantage in terms of campaign funds, and in the face of a bitter anti-communist onslaught from the national media.
However, critics have often questioned whether a more dynamic leader might have brought the communists more success.
The 55-year-old former Maths teacher from middle Russia lacks spontaneity or oratorical flare, and appears self-conscious in the glare of publicity.
 Zyuganov: lacks 'killer instinct'
|
His published programme is also a far cry from anything that Lenin or Stalin would recognise as communist.
Mr Zyuganov calls for a "regulated market", in which the state would only demand a controlling share in certain key sectors, such as energy, transport and military industries.
He opposes privatisation of agricultural land, but is content to see a mixture of private, public and co-operative ownership of other property.
Zyuganov's manifesto |
Redistribution of wealth
State monopoly on vodka and tobacco
Minimum monthly wage, R1,000 / $40
Lower taxes
Cheaper electricity and transport
Free education and medical care
|
Mr Zyuganov says Russia has a "unique role as the pivot and fulcrum" of a Eurasia that is destined forever to compete with the West.
Soviet internationalism has also given way to Russian nationalism, occasionally spilling over into anti-semitism.
The most outspoken Russian communists have called for a quota to limit the number of Jews in government, and accused Jewish ministers of genocide against the Russian people.
Mr Zyuganov condemned these remarks, but angered Israel by complaining about the "problem" of Zionism in Russia, and the number of "non-Russian" faces on national television.
Zyuganov's career |
1969 Lecturer at Oryol teacher training college
1972 Head of Oryol Communist youth committee
1989 CPSU Central Committee Ideology Dept (deputy head)
1993 Founder of KPRF
|
He has at various times proposed censorship of foreign films and advertisements, and measures to reduce the number of programmes showing murder, money and pornography on television.
However, in the 1999 parliamentary election pro-Kremlin media outlets were less hostile to the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (KPRF), because Mr Zyuganov was seen as a less dangerous presidential challenger than the centrist former prime minister, Yevgeny Primakov.
Kremlin aides believe the result of the 1996 election shows that communists no longer pose a threat to the ruling establishment, and that their strength is steadily declining.
It's true that many of their supporters are middle-aged or older, but in recent elections communists have maintained a steady 20 to 30 per cent of the vote.
|
Search BBC News Online |
|
|
 Advanced search options | |
| |
 | |
 | |
| |
 | BBC RADIO NEWS |
| |
| |
 | BBC ONE TV NEWS |
| |
| |
| WORLD NEWS SUMMARY |
| |
| |
| |
| |
 | PROGRAMMES GUIDE |
Country profiles
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
E-mail this story to a friend
~RS~a~RS~international~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~42~RS~)