AS EXPECTED, Communists were the biggest winners in Russia's parliamentary election Sunday.
But their victory is not causing nearly as much unease in the West as that of Russian ultranationalists two years ago. That's because today's Communists are vastly different from those who ruled the Soviet Union - or so they claim.Instead of revolution, the party preach- es a strange blend of religion, nationalism, military greatness and capitalism.
Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov says he wants to return the party to its true ideals, to help the disadvantaged and provide security for the old and poor.
Although Zyuganov promises to slow economic reforms that have impoverished 30 percent to 40 percent of the Russian population, he dismisses the notion of "renationalization" and says his party will help private businessmen by fighting corruption and organized crime and granting corporate tax breaks.
Zyuganov says he wants to limit the powers of President Boris Yeltsin, whom he calls a "czar president." But he also wants to revive the old Russian empire and restore the borders of the Soviet Union, "voluntarily" and on a "step-by-step basis."
Russia's neighbors find this as alarming as the Yeltsin government's insistence on dictating what goes on in its "near abroad."
The Communists won a fifth of the vote, and they will form a powerful bloc in the 450-seat legislature - especially if they form an alliance with Vladimir Zhirinovsky's Liberal Democratic Party.
The LDP took second place in Sunday's election, a comedown after its big win in 1993. But, although his buffoonery has eroded some of his popularity, Zhirinovsky still appeals to a great many Russians, and his stance is clearly anti-Western.
Another presidential hopeful, former boxer, general and Afghan war hero Alexander Lebed, is even more extreme. He made his name commanding Russian troops in Moldova, where he helped rebel Russian-speakers establish their own separatist state, and he too stands for aggressive nationalism and a strong army.
All of Russia's would-be presidents share a strong anti-American streak.