Communist Party of Chile facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Communist Party of Chile
Partido Comunista de Chile
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| President | Lautaro Carmona Soto |
| Secretary-General | Bárbara Figueroa |
| Chief of Deputies | Boris Barrera |
| Founded | 4 June 1912 |
| Headquarters | Vicuña Mackenna 31 Santiago |
| Newspaper | El Siglo |
| Youth wing | Communist Youth of Chile |
| Membership (2023) | 46,031 |
| Ideology |
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| Political position | Left-wing to far-left |
| National affiliation | Government Alliance (since 2022)
Formerly:
Revolutionary Convention (1912–1921)
Revolutionary Movement (1921–1924) Socialist-Republican Covenant (1925–1930) Popular Front (1937–1941) Democratic Alliance (1942–1947) People's National Front (1951–1956) Popular Action Front (1956–1969) Popular Unity (1969–1981) People's Democratic Movement (1983–1987) Juntos Podemos Más (2003–2011) New Majority (2013–2018) Unity for Change (2019–2020) Chile Digno (2020–2022) Apruebo Dignidad (2021–2023) |
| Regional affiliation | São Paulo Forum |
| International affiliation |
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| Colours | |
| Chamber of Deputies |
10 / 155
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| Senate |
2 / 50
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| Party flag | |
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The Communist Party of Chile (in Spanish, Partido Comunista de Chile or PCCh) is a political party in Chile. It was started in 1912 with the name Socialist Workers' Party. The party changed to its current name in 1922. It also has a group for young people called the Communist Youth of Chile, which was created in 1932.
Contents
History of the Party
The Communist Party of Chile (PCCh) was founded on June 4, 1912, by a politician named Luis Emilio Recabarren. At first, it was called the Socialist Workers' Party. On January 2, 1922, it officially became the Communist Party.
Soon after it started, the party won seats in Chile's congress. It became very important in helping to create and support workers' unions. In the 1930s and 1940s, the party worked with other groups in the government, like the Popular Front. During this time, many working-class people joined the party.
The Cold War Era
After World War II, a period known as the Cold War began. This was a time of tension between communist countries, like the Soviet Union, and non-communist countries, like the United States. Because the PCCh was growing in Chile, the government became worried. In 1948, the party was banned, meaning it was not allowed to exist. This ban lasted for ten years until 1958.
By the 1960s, the party was legal again and had become very popular. It had its own symbols and was supported by famous artists. These included the Nobel Prize-winning poet Pablo Neruda and the folk singer Violeta Parra.
In 1970, the PCCh joined with the Socialist Party and other groups to form a coalition called Unidad Popular (Popular Unity). This coalition helped Salvador Allende become president of Chile. The Communist Party supported gradual changes and wanted to work with other political parties.
The 1973 Coup and After
In 1973, a military coup (a sudden, illegal takeover of the government) removed President Allende from power. The new government, led by General Augusto Pinochet, banned the Communist Party again.
At first, the party's leaders believed the coup happened because the Popular Unity government had not worked with other groups enough. But by the late 1970s, the party's views changed. It decided to fight against Pinochet's government and created an armed group called the Manuel Rodríguez Patriotic Front.
When democracy returned to Chile in 1990, the Communist Party was made legal once more.
The Party in Modern Times
In the 1999 presidential election, the party's candidate was Gladys Marín. She was one of the first women to run for president in Chile.
From 2013 to 2018, the party was part of the New Majority coalition, which was a group of left-wing parties led by President Michelle Bachelet.
Today, the Communist Party of Chile is part of the Government Alliance, the group of parties that supports the current government. It continues to be an important voice in Chilean politics, especially for workers and left-wing causes.
Party Leaders
The Communist Party of Chile has had many leaders over the years. The main leader is called the General Secretary, and sometimes there is also a President.
| General Secretary | Period | President | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramón Sepúlveda Leal | 1922–1924 | Position did not exist | |
| Luis A. González | ?–? | ||
| Galvarino Gil | ?–? | ||
| Maclovio Galdames | ?–? | ||
| José Santos Zavala | ?–? | ||
| Isaias Iriarte | ?–1929 | ||
| Carlos Contreras Labarca | 1931–1946 | ||
| Ricardo Fonseca | 1946–1948 | ||
| Oyarzun Galo González | 1948–1958 | ||
| Elías Lafertte | 1956–1961 | ||
| Luis Corvalán | 1958–1990 | ||
| Position did not exist | |||
| Volodia Teitelboim | 1990–1994 | ||
| Gladys Marín | 1994–2002 | ||
| Guillermo Teillier | 2002–2005 | Gladys Marín | 2002–2005 |
| Lautaro Carmona Soto | 2005–2023 | Guillermo Teillier | 2005–2023 |
| Bárbara Figueroa | 2023–present | Lautaro Carmona Soto | 2023–present |
See also
In Spanish: Partido Comunista de Chile para niños
- Communist Youth of Chile
- Luis Emilio Recabarren
- Popular Unity
- Juntos PODEMOS Más
