Originally the party was maoist and heavily pro-Chinese, but since the early 80's the party abandoned maoism in favour of heterodox Marxism and started to support the new social movements, including feminism, LGBT and anti-militarism.

In 1977, a member of the party was killed by a fascist of Fuerza Nueva, in one of the first violent episodes of the "Battle of València".

[3] The MCPV gained 27 town councillors[4] in the Spanish municipal elections of 1979.

Due to bad electoral results in general elections, the party abandoned electoralism and supported street protests and social movements.

It was highly influential in the anti-NATO campaign of the 80's and in the anti-Military service movement.