Political positions of Gennady Zyuganov

During the 1995 legislative election, the Communist Party had aggressively courted the rural vote. In 1996, the Communists renewed much of their 1995 platform in regards to agricultural policy. This policy focused on the "scissors", the gap between the high input expenses in agriculture and the below-market prices that the state paid for crops. The Communists promised to end this by lowering the costs of inputs and protecting Russian crops from foreign competition.[4]

In the speeches that he delivered to rural audiences during his 1996 campaign, Zyuganov criticized Russia's declining agricultural production. He also voiced outrage at the lack of state support for rural regions.[2] Zyuganov went as far as claiming that, due to their outcome, policies neglecting rural areas of Russia qualified as acts of genocide.[2]

Zyuganov strongly opposed the sale of agricultural land, but supported the awarding of lifetime leases of land.[4]

Most other presidential candidates and parties in 1996 largely disregarded agricultural policy in their platforms. However, the Communist Party made it one of the main focuses of their platform.[4]

During his 2012 campaign, Zyuganov advocated renationalizing the agricultural sector of Russia's economy.[1]

In the 1996 campaign speeches that he delivered to urban audiences, Zyuganov criticized Russia's declining industrial production.[2] Zyuganov expressed a particular interest in protecting the nation's military industries, declaring,

An urgent task is to save the countries scientific potential (including) state support to high-technology production facilities in the military–industrial complex.[10]

In 1996, Zyuganov's Communist Party proposed that, instead of following the International Monetary Fund's program for the country to develop a free market economy, Russia would instead implement large government investments in industries as well as protective tariffs against foreign competition.[12] They also called for export tariffs on oil and gas in order to procure government revenue.[12]

In 1996, Zyuganov did not advocate nationalizing small industries. However, the Communist Party's platform did envision state ownership of infrastructure industries, such as energy, transportation, and communications.[4] It also envisioned state ownership for other industries of strategic importance, such as the defense industry.[4] Furthermore, the party's economic administrator at the time had expressed a desire to also nationalize the exporting metallurgy industry.[4] In 1996, Zyuganov additionally promised to implement a state monopoly of the alcohol industry in order to increase federal revenues.[4]

Zyuganov's 2000 platform similarly advocated for a "regulated market", in which the state would hold a controlling share in certain key sectors of the economy, such as the energy, transport and military industries.[14] At the same time, in an adaption of trickle-down economics, Zyuganov proposed cutting taxes on domestic industry in half.[15] He additionally proposed cuts to energy, transport and communications tariffs.[15]

Zyuganov has continued to advocate the nationalization of major industries, such as oil and gas and other industries related to the extraction of natural resources.[1][16] His main economic proposal was reportedly the nationalisation of Russia's natural resources, while his foreign policy aims include "increasing the role of the UN... and restricting the influence of Nato".[17]

In his 2012 campaign platform, Zyuganov pledged to restore industries he believed were in "deep crisis", such as shipbuilding, the defense industry and agriculture.[17] Additionally, in order to aid Russia's defense industry, he proposed implementing a complete ban on the mass purchase of foreign-made military equipment.[18]

During his 1996 campaign, Zyuganov, pledged to preserve a bulk of the forms of ownership of economic enterprises that had been allowed, including private ownership. However, as a communist, he expected that, "the leading role of socialist forms of ownership will clearly come to prominence".[19]

Zyuganov spoke of reversing-course and reinstating government controls on the nation's economy.[20] Zyuganov's Communist Party did not entirely oppose privatization. Instead, the party emphasized the importance of developing an economy with many different forms of ownership, including state, cooperative, and private ownership. Sweden, Austria and other Western European nations with mixed economies were pointed to as models to illustrate this vision.[4]

During his 1996 campaign, Zyuganov discussed using implementing controls in lieu of state ownership of small enterprises.[4] However, the Communist Party did envision state ownership of infrastructure industries, such as energy, transportation, and communications.[4]

As is mentioned in the section on agriculture, Zyuganov was strongly opposed to the sale of agricultural land. However, he did support the awarding of lifetime leases of land.[4] The Communist Party issued proposals in 1996 that would ban the ownership of land, with the exception of small garden plots.[12]

In an interview given on May 12, 1996, Zyuganov tied socialist state-ownership with Russia's national character, saying,

What is determined by the national character is that since Peter the Great the Russian economy has always been run primarily by the state... It is no secret to anybody that we have a number of national traits: we are collectivists; we are community-spirited. That is how we are born, since the times of Christ.[19]

Zyuganov's 1996 economic platform also focused on issues such as inequity and corruption that had arisen in the privatization process. Zyuganov pledged to overturn privatization that had taken place illegally.[4]

In his trips abroad during his 1996 campaign, Zyuganov attempted to quell concerns that he would be hostile towards foreign investment.[21][22] He would insist that he desired to maintain friendly business climate in Russia.[23] In his February 1, New York Times op-ed, Zyuganov stated that he would pursue economic cooperation and exchanges with the west, but added,

"we insist on acknowledgment of our equal right to follow our own path in accordance with our traditions and conditions."[21]

While Zyuganov would talk to foreign investors about economic reform and political pluralism, at his own campaign rallies he denounced capitalism.[24]

While he and his party were not proposing an outright ban on foreign investments (and insisted they would welcome foreign investment), the Communist Party did propose legislation in 1996 that would severely limit the foreign-owned market share of the Russian economy.[12] For instance, legislation was proposed to restrict foreign-made entertainment to make up no more than 20 percent of all television programming in Russia.[12] Additionally, they proposed legislation which would ban foreign entities from purchasing ownership of Russian land, natural resources or energy complexes. Additionally, the legislation would have banned foreign entities from purchasing controlling interests in "key industries of the basic branches of the economy."[12]

By 2000, Zyuganov remained steadfast in his opposition to private ownership of agricultural land.[14] He also advocated instating a state monopoly on alcohol and tobacco.[15]

In his 2012 campaign, Zyuganov again proposed renationalizing industries involving natural resource extraction.[1] He also proposed renationalizing the agricultural and defense sectors of the nation's economy.[1]

Zyuganov has alleged that Yeltsin dismantled the Congress of People's Deputies of Russia because he saw it as the final obstruction to, "thuggish privatization and stealing of the people’s property".[25]

In 2018, Zyuganov denounced government plans to raise the retirement age, and suggested for a referendum to be held on the matter.[26]

At the time of his 2000 presidential campaign, in an adaption of trickle-down economics, Zyuganov proposed cutting taxes on domestic industry in half.[15]

Zyuganov has been a proponent of implementing a 20% tax on all capital outflows.[1]

In his 2012 campaign, Zyuganov promised to lower most citizens' taxes by implementing a progressive taxation regime and to instituting new government price-control mechanisms on necessities.[1][13]

At the time of his 2000 presidential campaign Zyuganov proposed increasing minimum wages. His proposed minimum wage increases would equal $500 per month for doctors and teachers and $450 for others, a significant increase from the existing minimum wage, which equaled just $300.[15]

During his 1996 campaign, Zyuganov declared his willingness to withdraw Russia from existing agreements, saying,

We will pursue an independent foreign policy in keeping with the interest of the Russian state and not shrink from dissolving unequal international treaties.[10]

In the 2011 legislative election, Zyuganov promised to strengthen Russia's role on the world stage and to, "get rid of the dictate of 'global rules'."[27]

During his 1996 presidential campaign, Zyuganov declared that he intended to pursue the voluntary reintegration of nations into a reestablished Commonwealth of Independent States.[21][24] He declared his plans to pursue the initiation of negotiations to establish the organization.[10] At the same time, Zyuganov postured that he considered Russia to be "part" of Europe.[4]

In the 2010s, Zyuganov has blamed the United States for the inability of Russia to form a benevolent partnership with European nations.[25] He has also accused the United States and the European Union of challenging Russia's right of sovereignty.[25]

Zyuganov has opposed the prospect of Ukraine joining the European Union.[28]

Zyuganov threatened to delay the implementation of the Start II treaty (signed by George H. W. Bush and Yeltsin) if NATO expansion were to occur.

During his 1996 presidential campaign, Zyuganov declared NATO expansion to be a dangerous proposition that conflicted with Russia's internal affairs. Zyuganov said that he would delay the implementation of START II if NATO expansion were to occur[21]

During the 2011 legislative election, Zyuganov declared that he continued to view NATO as a threat to Russia.[1] He promised to attempt to limit the influence of NATO or cause it to dissolve.[27] In 2012 presidential election, his foreign policy platform included and aim towards "restricting the influence of NATO".[17]

Zyuganov has continued to characterize NATO as an aggressor.[25]

Zyuganov has suggested that, in order to stop terrorism, it is necessary to bring an end to globalism.[29]

Zyuganov blamed the United States for the January 2015 Île-de-France attacks in Paris, France and other acts of terrorism in Europe.[30]

In his 2012 presidential campaign, Zyuganov advocated distancing Russia from the World Trade Organization.[1]

Zyuganov has opposed Western involvement in Syria.[31][32][33][34][35]

During the War in Donbass, Zyuganov accused the "Western partners" of both creating and taking advantage of instability in Ukraine.[25][36] He has alleged that the 2014 election of Petro Poroshenko was fraudulent.[37]

Zyuganov has vehemently opposed the prospect of Ukraine joining the European Union, arguing the Ukraine would cease being a "neutral" nation if it joined the EU.[28]

In his 2012 presidential campaign, Zyuganov called for the role of the United Nations to be strengthened.[1][17]

In his 1996 campaign, Zyuganov asserted that Russia never could serve as a "junior partner" to the United States. Zyuganov also asserted that the United States should not aspire to be the world's sole superpower.[21]

Zyguanov has blamed the United States for the collapse of the Soviet Union.[24] Amongst other things, Zyuganov has also accused the United States of supporting international terrorism and of challenging the sovereignty of Russia.[30][25]

Zyuganov supported the Russian gay propaganda law.[41][42][43]

Zyuganov has at various times proposed censorship of foreign films and advertisements, as well as measures that would reduce the amount of television programming showing murder, money and pornography.[14]

In 1996, legislation was proposed by the Communist Party that would restrict foreign-made entertainment to make up no more than 20 percent of all television programming in Russia.[12]

Zyuganov is a Christian communist. According to Zyuganov, Jesus Christ was the first communist, claiming the Bible may be read through a socialist perspective.[44] Zyuganov also stated that Communism does not need to antagonize the Christian Orthodox Church.

Zyuganov, numerous times, during his 1996 campaign spoke of his appreciation for the Russian Orthodox Church, seeking to earn the vote of religious voters.[4][19] In his first campaign visit to Siberia, Zyuganov proclaimed that he, "like Josef Stalin", had great respect for the Russian Orthodox Church.[4]

As early as 1996 Zyuganov was accused of turning a blind-eye to antisemitism among his supporters.[24]

In December 1998 Zyuganov wrote an open-letter alleging of a "Zionist conspiracy to seize power in Russia", and of a "Zionist" plot to dominate the world.[45] Zyuganov insisted that these allegations were not aimed at attacking Jews.[45] However, the allegations he made belong to common antisemitic canard.[45] In the same letter, Zyuganov also assailed Jewish financiers.[45] Around the same time, following heavily antisemitic remarks by Albert Makashov, Zyuganov found himself under pressure to publicly censure him for his statements. Zyuganov ultimately did issue a statement denouncing anti-Semitism, but at the same time labeled Zionism "a blood relative of fascism".[46] However, he defended Mashakov's statements as, "a tough response to the destructive actions of forces that have occupied our country."[47]

Zyuganov vowed to hold a referendum on replacing the Russian tri-color with the former Soviet flag. Zyuganov claimed that the tri-colored flag had been used by Russian collaborators who fought alongside Germans against the Red army in World War II.[22]

In 1996, Zyuganov had pledged that, if elected, his presidential administration would not be a narrow communist-party based one. Rather, he promised that he intended to offer positions in his presidential ministry to presidential candidates such as Yavlinsky, Lebed and Fedorov, and to offer other non-communist politicians roles in his government.[19]

Zyuganov also assured that non-communist government employees were not at risk of losing their jobs.[19] Similarly, when he was planning to run in 2018, Zyuganov promised that he would retain (and even promote) members of the government bureaucracy who were honest and uncorrupted.[18]

In the 2010s, Zyuganov has advocated for a re-Stalinization of Russia.[48] In particular, he wrote an open letter to then-president Dmitry Medvedev in 2010 advocating this.[17]