Simon Serfaty
Abstract: The Communist Parties of France and Italy (CPF and CPI, respectively) developed differently. While both parties advocate for independence, their communist platforms differ; consequently, they are on divergent future paths. The CPI had criticized American influence over the Western world while also passively denouncing Soviet communism, but has over time developed a more moderate stance, acknowledging the benefits of the European Economic Community (EEC) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Contrarily, the CPF has not strayed far from Soviet communist values. In the future, the CPI may maintain influence in the Italian government; however, the CPF will remain obscure in the French government due to its radical platform. The best case scenario is for the CPF members to be absorbed by France’s Socialist Party. While the US does not support either party, the CPI’s pragmatism offers a possibility of working with the West. The future of the CPI depends on how it responds to the US’s support (or opposition) to potential coalition governments.
Key words: Communist, France, Italy, Cold War, De Gaullist, Influence
