In 2002, three leftist political parties (Rassemblement pour l'alternative progressiste, Parti de la démocratie socialiste and Parti communiste du Québec) merged to form the Union des forces progressistes. However, the Parti marxiste–léniniste du Québec refused to join the UFP, and ran candidates in the 2003, 2007, 2008 and 2012 Quebec elections.