Ideological orientation: Stalinists
Address: Ryesgade 3F, DK-2200 København N
Tel.: +45-35 35 21 93
Fax: +45-35 37 20 39
E-mail:
Founded: 1978
Leader:
Publications: Dagbladet Arbejderen (daily)
Representation in parliament: No
Election results:
International relations: Close to Belgian PvdA-PTB and Swedish KPML(r). Used to be a sister parti of the Party of Labour of Albania. Signed the Pyongyang Declaration in 1992.
Images:

History: DKP/ML was founded at a constitution congress 30-31 december 1978, when two minor ml-groups, Marxistisk-Leninistisk Forbund (MLF, Marxist-Leninist League) and Kommunistisk Sammenslutning (marxister-leninister) (KS(ml), Communist Unification (marxist-leninists)) united. These two groups were both split-outs from the maoist KAP. MLF was formed in 1976 by a minority which had critized the party's class analysis and internal democracy. KS(ml) was formed by a group that critized the maoist "theory of the three world" embraced by the CP of China and KAP. When realtions between China and Albania broke in 1978, both MLF and KS(ml) sided with Albania. The critizisism of the "theory of three worlds" was extended to a rejection of maoism. When DKP/ML was founded it was clear that it considered the Party of Labour of Albania as a sister party and that it was a part of the international tendency formed around it.

Just a few months after the foundation of the party, DKP/ML founded a youth league of their own, Kommunistisk Ungdomsforbund (KUF, Communist Youth League). DKP/ML also formed a number of "mass organizations" such as Revolutionære Fagopposition (RFO, Revolutionary Union Opposition), Landbofronten, Marxistisk-Leninistiske Studenter (Marxist-Leninist Students), Folkefronten mod Krig, Reaktion og Fascisme (People's Front against War, Reaction and Fascism) and Venskabsforneningen Danmark-Albanien (Friendship Association Denmark-Albania). Most of these groups died out during the 80's. DKP/ML also controlled the leadership of the already existing Kvindefronten (Women's Front), the only of these organization with real mass basis. Arbejderen (The Worker) was founded as a weekly newspaper. Since 1982 Arbejderen is published daily. Since 1991 it's the only leftist daily publication in Denmark.

Ahead of the 1984 parliamentary elections DKP/ML decided to run for the first time. The slogan was "Choose a revolutionary path out of the crisis". The electoral result was poor, less than 1000 votes in the whole country. After the electoral failure DKP/ML invited groups such as KAP and Fælles Kurs to discuss the possibilities of a Red Electoral Alliance (like the norwegian RV). Both KAP and Fælles Kurs neglected the inivitation. In 1987 DKP/ML ran alone yet again, yet again gaining less than 1000 votes.However, in the local elections of 1985 and 1989 DKP/ML members participated on lists together with other forces in some cities, thus gaining munipical representation. DKP/ML applied for membership of Enhedslisten in 1989, but the application was rejected. Then DKP/ML promoted their members to join Enhedslisten as individuals. In 1991 DKP/ML joined Enhedslisten, but it leaves the organization after just a year. After that DKP/ML tried to revitalize the demands for "a Red Electoral Alliance", contacting KPiD and Fælles Kurs. Both KPiD and Fælles Kurs rejected the invitation. Since the 7 congress of DKP/Ml the party promotes a "critical vote" for Enhedslisten.In the munipical elections of 1997 DKP/ML ran on local electoral list in small towns such as Esbjerg, Aalborg, Vejle and Randers, and in many other towns it supported Enhedslisten. In Århus it ran together with KPiD and Enhedslisten. In Copenhagen it supported the candidates of KPiD and Fælles Kurs.

DKP/ML was relativly unhurt by the events of 1989-91. However, KUF was dissolved. The youth simpatizing with DKP/ML started to organize themselves with Rebel, but came in clear confrontation with the semi-anarchist line of this organization. In 1993 young communists left Rebel and formed Rød Ungdom (Red Youth). RU is an independent organization, but many of it's members simpatize with DKP/ML.

At the fifth congress in 1991 DKP/ML initiated a renewal process and started calling for communist unity. Discussion have been undertaken with KPiD and Fælles Kurs, but so far they haven't resulted in any concrete step to unite the parties. During the period between the fifth and the seventh (held in 1997) congresses, a schism surged within DKP/ML. A minority, led by Klaus Riis (party chairman during 18 years), Dorte Grenaa and Frede Klitgård. The minority critized the new "revisionist" line of DKP/ML, and called for a defence of traditional pro-Albanian ml-ortodoxy. For example, the minority clearly opposed that DKP/ML started to consider that the Cuban and Korean revolutions were socialistic. They also opposed the "critical support" that DKP/ML gave Enhedslisten in the elections. After the 7th congress the minority left the party and formed Oktober.

Other related sites (not party or youth league sites):
Analysis of DKP/ML, Orientering nr. 1
Page about DKP/ML by DF (a ultra-rightwing group)

Sources:
DKP/ML: 20 års kamp for socialismen, Danmarks Kommunistiske Parti ML 1978-1998