This article is about the usage of the term troika in the sense of a three-member council. See the disambiguation page Troika for other meanings.
Troika is a committee of three members. The literal meaning of this Russian word (тройка) is threesome.
NKVD Troikas
Main article: NKVD troika.
The word became notorious during the Stalinist era in the Soviet Union. Troikas replaced the normal legal system for quick persecution of dissidents or anybody accused of political crimes. Quickly they turned into witchhunts and filled the country with dread.
Other usages
Also, the word has been used to describe the government of Communist states by the party leader, head of government, and head of state during periods where the positions were held by three different people and the party leader not viewed as sole dictator.
It is used in the European Union to mean a group based on the previous, present and next presidents of the Council of Ministers who sometimes work together on foreign policy initiatives.
See also: triumvirate
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