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May Day In Moscow

A crowd of 20,000 marchers rallied in Moscow, the capital of Russia, last Wednesday. The first day of May, or May Day, has long been a festive holiday for Russian workers. But these marchers were not fired up about music or folk dancing. The mile-long pack waved red banners and old Soviet Union flags. They were cheering for a Communist Party presidential candidate, Gennadi Zyuganov (Geh-nah-dee Zoo-ga-noff).

In 1991 Russia ended nearly 80 years of communism and set up a democratic government. Under communist rule, businesses, homes, farms and nearly everything else were not owned by individual people but by the government. And the government decided how property was shared.

Boris Yeltsin became Russia's first elected President when communism ended. On June 16, Russia will hold the second free presidential election in its history. But this time, the communist Zyuganov is a serious challenger to Yeltsin. For months, Zyuganov was ahead of Yeltsin in the race. Now the two have nearly an even number of supporters. But Yeltsin still faces a tough fight.

"The working people are one," Zyuganov told the cheering May Day crowd. "We will be victorious!"

Why Is Communism Back?
When communist rule ended in Russia, people expected life to improve. Many hoped to own homes, start companies and get better jobs.

So far, there have not been enough jobs to go around, so most people have not made more money. In fact, government workers are angry because many of them have not been paid for months. Some blame Yeltsin for Russia's current troubles. Poverty and other bad conditions have made many people wish for the old communist way of life.

Yeltsin Will Fight On
President Yeltsin reminds frustrated Russians that they also struggled under communist rule. He says he has plans to improve Russia's economy, but people must be patient. "We have chosen the right path," Yeltsin said, "and we will win!"

President Clinton visited Yeltsin last month to show his support. But what Yeltsin will need on June 16 is support from his fellow Russians.

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