“Neither Stalinist nor Social Democrat”: The French Communist party faced with the controversies surrounding the death of Communism (1989-1994)

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Already weakened by a long series of defections and setbacks in elections, the French Communist Party (PCF) was affected by the upheaval resulting from the breakup of the Soviet bloc. Unlike several other Communist parties however, it came through this crisis without giving up its name and without ousting its leader, Georges Marchais, whose political credibility was very low. At a time when news from the east placed the question of the demise of Communism on the agenda, what were the repercussions in the top ranks of the PCF? Light is shed on the intense struggles conducted to redefine the party label and on the techniques used to amortize the shock. The doctrine and organizational model, though considered to be central to the Communist identity, came under criticism. Georges Marchais had to face dissidents who, well endowed with support from outside the Party, were seen as wanting to modify the internal balance of power to their advantage. During this struggle with its improvised tactical concessions, the rules of the game were changed. Till then prohibited due to “democratic centralism”, pluralism within the Party finally became normal, and a value.