The PCRV follows the political line of the now defunct Albanian Party of Labour,[1] an anti-revisionist variant of Marxism–Leninism which came to be known as Hoxhaism.

It promoted a "national democratic and popular revolution" (Révolution nationale démocratique et populaire, RNDP).

At that time, the PCRV had powerful links in the trade unions and student movements.

The party, however, refused to participate in Sankara's revolutionary government, arguing that a military coup was not the same as a popular revolution.

[1] The PCRV is a participant in the International Conference of Marxist–Leninist Parties and Organizations (Unity & Struggle) or ICMLPO.