National Bolshevik Party

National Bolshevik Party
Национал-большевистская партия
Leader Eduard Limonov
Founder Eduard Limonov
Aleksandr Dugin
Yegor Letov
Founded 1 May 1993
Legalised 16 August 2005[1]
Banned 7 August 2007[2]
Succeeded by The Other Russia
Headquarters Bunker NBP, st. Maria Ulyanova, 17, building 1, Moscow, Russia[3]
Newspaper Limonka
Membership 56,500+ (March 2007)[4]
Ideology National Bolshevism[5]
Socialism
Communism
Eurasianism
Left-wing nationalism
Political position Far-left
Affiliation Coalition The Other Russia
Dissenters' March
Colors      Red
Slogan "Russia is everything, the rest is nothing!" (motto)
"Yes, Death!" (greeting)
Anthem "Anthem of the National Bolshevik Party"[6] by Dmitri Maximovich Shostakovich[7]
Website
nbp-info.com

The National Bolshevik Party (NBP; Russian: Национал-большевистская партия, also known as the Nazbols;[8] Russian: Нацболы) operated from 1993 to 2007 as a Russian political party with a political program of National Bolshevism. The NBP became a prominent member of The Other Russia coalition of opposition parties.[9] Russian courts banned the organization and it never officially registered as a political party. In 2010, its leader Eduard Limonov founded a new political party called The Other Russia.[10] There have been smaller NBP groups in other countries.

Its official publication, the newspaper Limonka, derived its name from the party leader's surname and from the idiomatic Russian word for a grenade. The main editor of Limonka for many years was Aleksey Volynets.

Ideology

The NBP believes in the National Bolshevik ideas during the Russian Civil War, such as those from Professor Nikolai Ustrialov, who came to believe that Bolshevism could be modified to serve nationalistic purposes. His followers, the Smenovekhovtsy, who then came to regard themselves as National Bolsheviks, borrowed the term from Ernst Niekisch, who was a German politician initially associated with left-wing politics and later proponent for the National Bolshevik ideology.

The NBP has denied any links to fascism, stating that all forms of antisemitism, xenophobia and racism were against the party's principles.[11]

The NBP has historically defended Stalinism, although later on the party said it did not wish to re-create that system.[11]

On 29 November 2004, participants of the general congress of the NBP adopted a new party's program. According to the program, "the main goal of the National Bolshevik Party is to change Russia into a modern, powerful state, respected by other countries and peoples and beloved by its own citizens" by ensuring the free development of civil society, the independence of the media and social justice.[12]

The NBP was highly critical of President Vladimir Putin's government and argued that state institutions such as the bureaucracy, the police and the courts were corrupt and authoritarian.[13]

History

Origins (1993–1998)

Members of the National Bolshevik Party at a protest rally in Moscow with a copy of the Limonka newspaper (photo by Mikhail Evstafiev)

In 1992, Eduard Limonov founded the National Bolshevik Front (NBF) as an amalgamation of six minor groups.[14] Aleksandr Dugin was amongst the earliest members and was instrumental in convincing Limonov to enter politics. The party first attracted attention in 1992 when two members were arrested for possessing grenades. The incident gave the NBP publicity for a boycott campaign they were organizing against Western goods.[15] The NBF joined forces with the National Salvation Front (a broad coalition of Russian communists and nationalists).[16]

The FNS was one of the leading groups involved in the 1993 Russian constitutional crisis and Limonov participated in the clashes near the White House.[17] When others within the coalition began to speak out against the NBF, it withdrew from the alliance.[18]

In 1993, Limonov and Dugin signed a declaration of founding the NBP.[19]

On 28 November 1994, Limonov founded the newspaper Limonka, the official organ of the NBP.

In 1998, Dugin left the NBP as a result of a conflict with another members of the party.[20]

Arrest of Eduard Limonov (2001–2003)

Limonov and some National Bolsheviks were jailed in April 2001 on charges of terrorism, the forced overthrow of the constitutional order and the illegal purchase of weapons. Based on an article published in Limonka under Limonov's byline,[21] the government accused Limonov of planning to start an armed insurgency in Kazakhstan.[22]

After the arrest of the leader, members of the party started activieties (including direct action slunts) against the Putin's government.[23] In 2002, members of the NBP participated in common demonstration of far-left forces in a Moscow a demonstration called Anticapitalism-2002.[24] National Bolsheviks clashed with riot police.[25]

In 2003, Limonov was released from Lefortovo Prison.[26]

In opposition to the government (2004–2007)

A Dissenters March rally in Saint Petersburg, Russia on 3 March 2007

Since 2004, the NBP has formed alliances with another opposition forces, both left and right-wing. In 2004, Limonov signed the declaration "Russia without Putin".[27]

In August 2006, an anti-Limonovist faction of the NBP that was more right-wing formed the National Bolshevik Front.[28]

The NBP became a prominent member of The Other Russia coalition of opposition parties.[9]

In 2007, the NBP members took part in a Dissenters' March and subsequent demonstrations against the government.[29]

Outlawed and aftermath (2007–2010)

National Bolsheviks attack a polling station in Odintsovo, Moscow Oblast during the Russian legislative election, 2007 to protest the ban of the party

The NBP was banned by a Russian lower court in June 2005, but the Russian Supreme Court overturned that ban on 16 August 2005. In November 2005, the Russian Supreme Court upheld a ban on the party on the grounds that the NBP called itself a political party without being registered as such.[30]

On 7 August 2007, the Russian Supreme Court confirmed the decision of the Moscow City Court of 19 April 19 to ban the party[31] as an extremist organization.[32]

In 2009, NBP members took part in Strategy-31, a series of civic protests in support of the right to peaceful assembly.[33][34]

In July 2010, National Bolsheviks founded a new political party, The Other Russia.[10]

Direct actions

The NBP often used non-violent direct-action stunts, mostly against prominent political figures.[23][35]

Notable direct actions

  • On 24 August 1999, the NBP occupied a tower of Club of Military Seamen in Sevastopol in the Independence Day of Ukraine. Some of them were sentenced to prison.[36][37]
  • During Prince Charles' tour of the Baltic states in 2001, a member of the Latvian branch of the NBP hit Charles' face with a flower in an act of protest against the War in Afghanistan[38][39]
  • During the 2002 Prague summit, National Bolsheviks threw tomatoes at George Robertson to protest against extension of NATO and American imperialism.[40]
  • On 3 March 2004, National Bolsheviks occupied the United Russia headquarters in Moscow and protested against government policy.[41]
  • On 22 June 2004, National Bolsheviks occupied Germany's Trade Embassy in Moscow on the anniversary of the German invasion of the Soviet Union. They hung a banner with an inscription "Never forget! Never forgive!".[42]
  • On 2 August 2004, a group of National Bolsheviks occupied the office of Health and Social Development Ministry building in Moscow to protest against social benefits reform.[43] Police arrested most of the participants of the action and on 12 December 2004 seven National Bolsheviks were each sentenced to five years in prison.[44]
  • On 14 December 2004, NBP members occupied the presidential-administration visitors' room to protest against government policy. Police arrested thirty-nine National Bolsheviks, many of them being sentenced to prison.[45]
  • On 25 September 2006, National Bolsheviks occupied the Ministries of Finances building in Moscow to protest against liberal economic policy.[46][47][48]

International groups

Several small groups often made up of Russian immigrants named National Bolshevik Party have existed in countries across Europe and North America.[49] In Belarus, a Pentecostal church in Minsk was vandalised in 2006, with the NBP emblem drawn on its walls.[50] The NBP was not officially registered in the country. This followed a similar incident at the Latvian embassy in the city the previous year.[51] Latvia's NBP has had members hold office in Riga[52] and has executed notable publicity stunts, but it remains largely marginal there.[53] The Latvian branch has been led by Vladimir Linderman and Aijo Beness.[54][55][56][57][58] In 2006, the Latvian NBP was active in anti-capitalist demonstrations and in blockades against Latvian SS veterans' parades during Latvian Legion Day.[59][60]

In 2005, National Bolsheviks appeared in Visaginas and Klaipėda, Lithuania. One of their most notable actions was against education reform.[61] The Moldovan NBP was refused registration as a political party in 2005, so it registered as a non-governmental organization with Transnistria as its main center of activity. In Ukraine, the NBP joined other small parties in signing a Declaration of the Kiev Council of Slav Radical Nationalists in an initiative led by the Ukrainian National Assembly in 1996.[62] The Ukrainian NBP which was largely based in the east of the country was active in anti-Ukrainian Insurgent Army[63] and anti-NATO demostrations.[64] During the Orange Revolution, the Ukrainian NBP did not support Viktor Yushchenko or Viktor Yanukovych.

Notable members

Current

Former

Deceased

Media depictions

Films

  • Sud nad prizrakom (2002)
  • Saratov (2002)
  • Fuck off Mr. Bond! (2002)
  • Da, smert (2004)
  • Zuby drakona (2005)
  • Les Enfants terribles de Vladimir Vladimirovitch Poutine (2006)
  • The Revolution That Wasn't (2008)

Books

Books by Eduard Limonov:

  • Anatomy of a Hero (1997)
  • My Political Biography (2002)
  • Russian Psycho (2003)
  • The Other Russia (2003)

Books by another authors:

Other

  • Orda, comic book by Igor Baranko

References

  1. ↑ "Верховный суд России отменил запрет Национал-большевистской партии". Радио Свобода. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  2. ↑ "Лимонов использует НБП незаконно. И вообще он не Лимонов".
  3. ↑ "Бункер НБП (Москва)". Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  4. ↑ "Svoboda Limonov".
  5. ↑ "Andrei Dmitriev - "Who are the National Bolsheviks?".
  6. ↑ Дмитрий Шостакович - Гимн НБП
  7. ↑ "Пой, партия, пой!". www.b-port.com. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  8. ↑ Russian Nationalism, Foreign Policy and Identity Debates in Putin's Russia: New Ideological Patterns after the Orange Revolution. Columbia University Press. 2014. p. 147. ISBN 9783838263250. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  9. 1 2 Stolyarova, Galina (6 March 2007) Thousands Take to City Streets for Protest. Sptimesrussia.com. Retrieved on 23 February 2014.
  10. 1 2 Лимонов готов стать гламурным политиком. Ng.ru (12 July 2010). Retrieved on 23 February 2014.
  11. 1 2 "National Bolshevik Party – FAQ". Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  12. ↑ "Программа Национал-Большевистской Партии". Российская газета. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  13. ↑ "Program of the National Bolshevik Party". Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  14. ↑ Lee, p. 314
  15. ↑ Lee, p. 320
  16. ↑ Lee, p. 321
  17. ↑ "Эдуард Лимонов, Писатель, политик". Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  18. ↑ Lee, pp. 328–9
  19. ↑ "Нацбол.ру - Нацбол должен знать - Декларация о создании НБП". 21 September 2008. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  20. ↑ "ВОС". w-o-s.ru. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  21. ↑ "The Second Russia". GRENADE F1. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  22. ↑ "Famous writer and National Bolshevic leader Eduard Limonov really arrested". 14 April 2001. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  23. 1 2 "Russia: National Bolsheviks, The Party Of 'Direct Action'". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  24. ↑ "НБП-ИНФО :: ФОТО :: Антикапитализм-2002". 22 December 2008. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  25. ↑ Олег Бородин (14 September 2013). "Антикап 2002 Площадь Маяковского 480". Retrieved 2 September 2018 – via YouTube.
  26. ↑ "Russian Writer is Released from Prison". Retrieved 30 June 2006.
  27. ↑ "Declaration Of Public Movement "Russia Without Putin"". 29 October 2005. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  28. ↑ "An Interview with the Leader of the NBF (Roman Golovkin)". 6 September 2007. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  29. ↑ [http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2007/03/e6afa38b-be72-4ce0-91a4-c32374c14424.html "Police Clash With Anti-Kremlin Protesters". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 3 March 2007. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  30. ↑ "RIA Novosti – Russia – UPDATE: Russian Supreme Court upholds ban on National Bolshevik Party". En.rian.ru (15 November 2005). Retrieved on 23 February 2014.
  31. ↑ "Верховный суд РФ подтвердил законность запрета НБП". Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  32. ↑ "Перечень некоммерческих организаций, в отношении которых судом принято вступившее в законную силу решение о ликвидации или запрете деятельности по основаниям, предусмотренным ФЗ "О противодействии экстремистской деятельности" - Минюст России". minjust.ru. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  33. ↑ Питерские нацболы арестованы за участие в акции у Гостиного двора. Grani.ru. 1 November 2010.
  34. ↑ Нацболы через суд требуют разрешить акцию "Стратегия-31". Rosbalt.ru. 27 January 2010.
  35. ↑ "От нацболов к Павленскому. Краткая хроника русского акционизма". Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  36. ↑ "1999. Захват Башни моряков. Севастополь, НБП". artprotest.org. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  37. ↑ "НБП-ИНФО :: ФОТО :: Захват башни клуба моряков в Севастополе". 18 January 2007. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  38. ↑ "Hugs and handshakes with public keep Meghan Markle's bodyguards on their toes". Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  39. ↑ "Latvia flower-attacker spared jail". 2 September 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2018 – via news.bbc.co.uk.
  40. ↑ AP Archive (30 July 2015). "WRAP Tomato incident, Robertson, Ukraine delegates, family photo". Retrieved 2 September 2018 – via YouTube.
  41. ↑ "Национал-большевики захватили общественную приемную". Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  42. ↑ AP Archive (21 July 2015). "Protest outside German offices on war anniversary". Retrieved 2 September 2018 – via YouTube.
  43. ↑ "Национал-большевики захватили Минздрав". Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  44. ↑ "Газета.Ru - За захват здания Минздрава лимоновцы получили по 5 лет тюрьмы". www.gazeta.ru. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  45. ↑ "Условный захват президентской приемной". Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  46. ↑ ""Побои" за Минфин". Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  47. ↑ "Грани.Ру: За захват Минфина нацболов обвинили в хулиганстве". pub.g.graniru.org. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  48. ↑ AP Archive (24 July 2015). "Leftist protestors chain themselves to Finance Ministry in anti-Putin protest". Retrieved 2 September 2018 – via YouTube.
  49. ↑ Interview to the "Revolt" French magazine. eng.nbp-info.ru. 15 February 2004. Archived 1 May 2007 at the Wayback Machine.
  50. ↑ 'National Bolsheviks Accused of Vandalizing Beleaguered Pentecostal Church'. Fsumonitor.com (15 January 2014). Retrieved on 23 February 2014.
  51. ↑ 'Far-left group attacks Latvian embassy in Minsk' Archived 6 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine.. Charter97.org (16 March 2005). Retrieved on 23 February 2014.
  52. ↑ Shenfield, Stephen (2001). Russian Fascism: Traditions, Tendencies, Movements. M.E. Sharpe. pp. 190–. ISBN 978-0-7656-0635-8.
  53. ↑ Muizneiks, N. (2005) "Latvia" in Mudde, Cas Racist Extremism in Central and Eastern Europe, Routledge, ISBN 0415355931 pp. 101–128
  54. ↑ Айо Бенес — магистр биологии и профессор НБП. D-pils.lv (23 March 2005). Retrieved on 23 February 2014.
  55. ↑ Лимонка: Бенес Айо Archived 6 July 2012 at the Wayback Machine.
  56. ↑ «Красный магистр» Бенес Айо: «Мы готовим такое!..». D-pils.lv (8 November 2005). Retrieved on 23 February 2014.
  57. ↑ Бенес Айо: Когда я дошел до 45 кг, меня пришлось выпустить. Rus.tvnet.lv. Retrieved on 23 February 2014.
  58. ↑ Рига: Акция против Джорджа Буша. nbp-info.ru. 7 May 2005
  59. ↑ День сопротивления в Риге. 16 марта 2006. nbp-info.ru
  60. ↑ Рига: Акция протеста против шествия нацистов 16 марта 2005. nbp-info.ru
  61. ↑ Flyer of Lithuanian National Bolsheviks. img15.imageshack.us
  62. ↑ Ukraine Archived 4 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine.. Axt.org.uk. Retrieved on 23 February 2014.
  63. ↑ АНТИ-УПА-2009 Archived 25 April 2011 at the Wayback Machine.. Nbp.kharkov.ua. Retrieved on 23 February 2014.
  64. ↑ «Нато-Stop!» Archived 27 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine.. Nbp.kharkov.ua. Retrieved on 23 February 2014.

Bibliography

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