Yes former soviet states tend to have a different relationship to communism per se because of their histories. Though most of them also do have mainstream socialist parties, many of which consider themselves the peers of communist parties in other states.
Poland is also on that Hungary train of open fascist revanchism so it may not be the best example? I mean I would use it as an example of a country that is worse off for having effectively expelled their communists but I'm not sure you would want to.
Oh, this is so ripe for a totally unproductive flame-war. I don't know how anyone with eyes can walk around Warsaw and think it should look more like Minsk. And their "fascist" movements are... well... not quite as "fascist" as some would like you to think.
> many of which consider themselves the peers of communist parties in other states
At least we can agree that the socialist parties in Poland are closer allies to Russia than to the West! Moral implication heavily implied.
Poland is also on that Hungary train of open fascist revanchism so it may not be the best example? I mean I would use it as an example of a country that is worse off for having effectively expelled their communists but I'm not sure you would want to.