Nomenklatura

Term used in Russia for members of the Communist Party who enjoy special privileges such as shopping at well-stocked stores.

The same term was used in Poland for the members of the former Communist Party ([Polska Zjednoczona Partia Robotnicza]? - Polish United Workers' Party) PZPR. This privileged class gained various profits solely from being in the party.
After the fall the the Communist regime most of the nomenklatura were able to secure lucrative positions in the industry or buy out some property at ridiculously low cost.