Communist Party of Runion
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The Communist Party of Runion (French: Parti Communiste Runionnais, or PCR) is the main political party in the French dpartement d'outre-mer of Runion (in the Indian Ocean). The party has one seat in the French National Assembly.
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History
PCR was founded in 1959, as the French Communist Party (PCF) federation in Reunion became an independent party.[1] Paul Vergs led the party from its foundation until February 1993, when he stepped down and lie Hoarau was elected general secretary; Vergs is currently serving as the president of the regional council of Runion.
During the late 1990s the relations between PCF and PCR became somewhat strained, regarding differences in party lines. Relations were, however, fully restored in 2005, on the occasion of PCF leader Marie-George Buffet's visit to the island; subsequently, the PCR stood on the list of the French Communist Party in the 2004 European Parliament elections, and Vergs became one of three MEPs elected from the PCF list at national level. The main party leaders are Hoarau, Huguette Bello, and Pierre Vergs (the son of Paul Vergs).
The press outlet of the party is the daily newspaper Tmoignages, founded by Paul Vergs' father, Dr. Raymond Vergs, in 1944.
