[ffsm8]

I would not consider communists which want to dismantle the democracy and replace it with an effective dictatorship as far left. That's right. A "far left" can only exist in the context of a democratic parlament - that's literally the definition after all: A "far left" party is one that's sitting "on the far left" (physically) in the parlament.

However, as long as they still work within the bounds of the democratic system that the government has they would be far left.

Eg North Korea is indeed not a "far left" government.

China is, because it is still working within the bounds of their own rules. It's technically not a dictatorship, even if it may look like one if you squint even just slightly - and there are votes happening.