Commies urge more help for poor in recession

While unfettered capitalism is said to be behind the global financial crisis, its alternative is being showcased in Moscow this weekend. Russia's Communist Party is holding a two-day congress to discuss a solution to the world's credit crunch.

The communists are Russia's largest opposition party with more than 12 per cent of seats in the lower house of the country’s parliament, the State Duma.

The party's leader Gennady Zyuganov has criticised the ruling United Russia party for its handling of the economy and for not being concerned with the lives of ordinary people.

He will reveal the party's own solution to the credit crisis as well as unveil its policies for the next election.