Only Lenin Unites the Left

Certainly both the Progressive and plain Socialists as well as the Peasant Party also observed the anniversary in their own ways. The Leninist anniversaries of November 7 and May Day are virtually all the current Left retains in common. Despite their virtually identical ideologies, they seldom manage to put up a common front. The main reason seems to be the personal grudges of their various leaders. Now even the Progressive Socialists' mercurial Natalia Vitrenko seems prepared to discuss a joint leftist presidential candidate, but each caravan continues to set out on its own route. Moroz has already been given the nod by the political council of his party, Symonenko by various regional Communist organizations, and Vitrenko nominated herself long ago.

Last Thursday at the base of Lenin's statue Petro Symonenko again reiterated that his party still has not selected its presidential candidate. Perhaps one could not say otherwise there. Lenin would not be pleased if he knew how divided are his contemporary acolytes.