Rinze Visser, veteran Dutch communist, former chairman of the New Communist Party of the Netherlands (NCPN), now renamed the Communist Party of the Netherlands (CPN), and the country's longest-serving municipal councillor, passed away on October 16, 2026, at the age of 87. Born on December 18, 1938, Visser grew up in a communist family and worked as a street paver before joining the Communist Party of the Netherlands (CPN) in 1958.
Elected to the municipal council of Lemsterland in 1970, he served for more than 55 years, becoming a widely respected figure in the Friesland region for his unwavering defence of working-class interests and practical assistance to people facing poverty, injustice and bureaucratic obstacles.
A committed Marxist-Leninist, Visser opposed the reformist currents that eventually led to the dissolution of the original CPN. He played an important role in the League of Communists in the Netherlands (VCN) and, from 1992, in the establishment of the NCPN, serving on its Political Bureau and as chairman of its Central Committee.
Throughout his political life, Visser remained steadfast in his communist convictions, including during the counter-revolutions in the socialist countries. He was also a longtime contributor to the communist newspaper *Manifest*, writing regularly about social and political developments from the standpoint of working people.
In a statement announcing his death, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Netherlands (CPN), formerly the NCPN, paid tribute to his lifelong dedication to the struggle against capitalist exploitation and for socialism.
“Rinze remained true to his ideals and principles throughout his life,” the party stressed, remembering a comrade whose tireless commitment, political clarity and solidarity with ordinary people left a lasting mark on the Dutch communist movement.
A committed Marxist-Leninist, Visser opposed the reformist currents that eventually led to the dissolution of the original CPN. He played an important role in the League of Communists in the Netherlands (VCN) and, from 1992, in the establishment of the NCPN, serving on its Political Bureau and as chairman of its Central Committee.
Throughout his political life, Visser remained steadfast in his communist convictions, including during the counter-revolutions in the socialist countries. He was also a longtime contributor to the communist newspaper *Manifest*, writing regularly about social and political developments from the standpoint of working people.
In a statement announcing his death, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Netherlands (CPN), formerly the NCPN, paid tribute to his lifelong dedication to the struggle against capitalist exploitation and for socialism.
“Rinze remained true to his ideals and principles throughout his life,” the party stressed, remembering a comrade whose tireless commitment, political clarity and solidarity with ordinary people left a lasting mark on the Dutch communist movement.
