Following the death of Stalin in 1953, to govern the Soviet Union a troika was established in the power vacuum consisting of Molotov, Beria & Malenkov. Whilst I believe that it could never has remained intact with Beria as a member (He'd try to outmanoeuvre his rivals to bring power completely into his own hands - either directly or through a puppet), is there anyway that a troika consisting of Molotov, Malenkov and another third candidate could remain in control for a prolonged period of time?
If so, who would be the third candidate? I'd considered Khrushchev, although given how he was able to side-line Malenkov and accumulate power himself, he seems a less-likely choice for a power-sharing agreement between the three of them.
If so, who would be the third candidate? I'd considered Khrushchev, although given how he was able to side-line Malenkov and accumulate power himself, he seems a less-likely choice for a power-sharing agreement between the three of them.