Chernenko

Konstantin Chernenko was a Soviet politician who served as the General Secretary of the Communist Party from 1984 until his death in 1985. He succeeded Yuri Andropov and was known for being part of the old guard of Soviet leadership, emphasizing traditional communist values. His tenure was marked by a stagnation in reforms and an adherence to entrenched policies during a crucial period of decline in the Soviet Union. Chernenko's health issues limited his effectiveness, and he died after just over a year in office, paving the way for Mikhail Gorbachev, who later introduced significant reforms.