Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, literally but if you mean in terms of what it STOOD for then initially a rather idealistic Marxist point of view that everyone is equal, no rich elite or aristocracy, no one owns property or at least not too much property to the detriment of others. Nobody goes short of food and has a place to live and has opportunities both educational and careerwise.
Apart from the property bit it's more or less what everyone wants capitalist, communist, socialist, fascist or whatever. What went wrong was that it became a repressive dictatorial regime in which surprise surprise there evolved a relatively rich elite, not everyone was equal and the opportunities only went to those who toed the party line. What collapsed it was that people has no incentive to work harder and improve their lot. Getting a medal for inventing something is poor compensation, a payrise is more motivating. The other issue is the lack of freedom that Communism all too often leads too.
To go back to the original question. I think Bulgaria voted in a Communist government and Poland. But the big differnce is that if the people choose to vote them out in the next election they go. Because they are now proper democrats.
France and Italy have long standing democratic Communist parties and quite often in France the local council and Mayor are Communists elected in free and fair elections.
But has anyone ever voted in a Communist government knowing that they would repress other parties and confiscate the property of the rich and set up a workers Soviet? No I don't think so. Let's face it, who would?
