In the former Soviet satellite states of Central Europe and the Balkans, citizenries that ousted their communist regimes have begun to set up liberal democratic governments. If they are to succeed, these new regimes will need functioning party systems composed of strong institutional parties.

Currently, party systems in the former communist countries are in flux. Constitutions and electoral laws change constantly, and new parties rise and fall rapidly, generating a bewildering array of acronyms. Complicating matters further, the borderline between political parties and other types of organizations is sometimes thin. Despite the confusion, a few definite trends can be discerned.

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