Alexis Tsipras

Pope Francis meets with Alexis Tsipras - The Vatican, Rome, September 18

Details: Category: STATEMENTS; Published: Friday, 19 September 2014 12:10

STATEMENT BY TSIPRAS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THEIR MEETING

In our meeting with Pope Francis today -who is often referred to as “The Pope of the Poor”- we had the opportunity to discuss the economic crisis, as well as the crisis in human values. To discuss the need for politics to re-inspire people in values which are collective, universal and substantive instead of the currently pre-dominant values of profit and material consumption.

We discussed the need for peace to return on earth, for the immediate cease of war interventions, the need for solidarity’s rehabilitation as a value, and the need to speak about the significance of making sure that people always count more than profits.

We pleaded with him to continue struggling against poverty and to speak in behalf of the dignity of humans as well as the structural causes behind poverty which are the inequality in the distribution of wealth and the rampant behavior of the financial markets.

We asked him to take an international initiative for the termination of conflicts in the Middle East and the Ukraine; we discussed the issue of migration that enormous plague of our times and the need for a revision of the European migration policy which generates humanitarian crises in the Mediterranean.

I brought to him the true picture of Greece, a country that after four years of an unjust policy of austerity continues to sink inside the crisis a crisis assuming the proportions of a humanitarian disaster. And I explained to him that what happened was implemented in order to save banks not humans. In addition, I told him that the majority of the Greek people, and I personally, are determined to put an end to this policy, something which necessitates the support of broader forces across Europe.

Finally, we agreed that the dialogue between the Left and the Christian Church must go on. We may have different ideological starting points; however, we converge on common values, like solidarity, love for the fellow Human being, social justice, and our concern regarding world peace.

Statement of Alexis Tsipras on the election of the new EC President

Details: Category: STATEMENTS; Published: Thursday, 29 May 2014 23:26

29.05.2014

According to the Treaty on European Union, the European Parliament has the right to approve, and therefore the right to disapprove, the nominee presented to it for the Presidency of the European Commission by the European Council.

During the recent campaign, the citizens of Europe were asked to express their choice among five candidates, each of them selected by the major European parties. As candidates we campaigned, debated, and sought the votes of European citizens.

It is my position that the European Council should not nominate any candidate for the Presidency of the Commission, who did not compete in this election.

It is my position that the European Parliament should not approve any candidate who did not compete in this election.

The presentation of any other nominee would have as its effect to discredit the entire recent election, turning it, after the fact, into a charade.

This is a basic democratic principle. It is a moral obligation of the European Council to put forward the candidate who secured the leading position in the European election.

During the campaign, I stood as the candidate of the European Left. I stood in vigorous disagreement with the policies of the European People’s Party and of their candidate, Mr. Jean-Claude Juncker. Those disagreements stand, and they will stand.

The European People’s Party, nevertheless, won the election. Therefore, Mr Jean-Claude Juncker, should be the first to attempt to form the required majority, starting negotiations with the other political groups.

ALEXIS TSIPRAS

EUROPEAN LEFT CANDIDATE FOR THE PRESIDENCY OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION

PRESIDENT OF SYRIZA

Tsipras' message of congratulations to L'Altra Europa

Details: Category: STATEMENTS; Published: Tuesday, 27 May 2014 17:00

Ieri si è dimostrato che nell’Europa colpita dalle politiche di austerità e dalla macelleria sociale la sinistra si rafforza. In Grecia Syriza è il primo partito.

E’ la prima volta dopo il 1984, dalla vittoria del PCI di Berlinguer, che un partito di sinistra vince le elezioni europee in ambito nazionale. In Spagna, in Portogallo e in Irlanda la sinistra ha avuto un successo clamoroso contro il bipartitismo e le grandi intese.

In Italia l’Altra Europa è riuscita a superare lo sbarramento antidemocratico, la censura mediatica e la polarizzazione strumentale del dibattito politico.

Ringrazio a nome di Syriza, del Partito della Sinistra Europea e personalmente tutte e tutti le attiviste e gli attivisti, i comitati locali, le organizzazioni politiche e sociali, le persone, che hanno reso possibile questa entusiasmante ed importante impresa.

Con L’Altra Europa e i suoi parlamentari aderiremo al gruppo della Sinistra Europea del GUE e della Sinistra Verde Nordica per lavorare insieme per ricostruire l’Europa dal basso, coerenti con gli impegni presi in campagna elettorale e con il nostro programma comune.

Insieme faremo argine alle forze dei populismi reazionari, delle forze neofasciste e neonaziste, contro la xenofobia e ogni forma di razzismo.

Insieme combatteremo le politiche neoliberiste che distruggono i diritti e la dignità dei popoli europei. Insieme ci batteremo per un’Europa democratica, solidale, di giustizia sociale e di pace.

Alexis Tsipras

Presidente di Syriza – Vice Presidente del Partito della Sinistra Europea

Alexis Tsipras' Statement: New strength for the Left

Details: Category: STATEMENTS; Published: Monday, 26 May 2014 15:18

Alexis Tsipras made a statement to the EBU regarding the results of the European elections. He conveys his deep thanks to all who supported him and the Left.

Dimanche c'est le jour des peuples! Votez Front de gauche

Details: Category: STATEMENTS; Published: Friday, 23 May 2014 14:29

Alexis Tsipras - Dimanche c'est le jour des... από CN-PCF In support of Front du Gauche

Il dilemma che affronteremo il giorno delle elezioni è chiaro: votiamo o per la sinistra o per l’austerità

Details: Category: STATEMENTS; Published: Thursday, 15 May 2014 11:18

“Il neoliberismo non è invincibile. È solo il prodotto di un'opzione politica che corrisponde al bilancio de forze in un momento concreto della storia dell’Europa”.

Intervista di Gema Delgado* per Mundo Obrero

Alexis Tsipras potrebbe essere il prossimo primo ministro in Grecia. Infatti, se oggi si fossero celebrate oggi le elezioni legislative nel suo paese, di certo, secondo i sondaggi, le avrebbe vinte. Era sul punto di farlo due anni fa, alle ultime elezioni. Si era fermato solo ad un punto percentuale. Nella campagna elettorale si era distinto con tanta forza che ha messo paura alla destra, non solo greca ma di tutta Europa. Da allora tutta la destra economica, politica e mediatica si è lanciata contro di lui. È stata una sporca guerra. Dicevano che se avesse vinto le elezioni, sarebbe uscito dall'Europa e sarebbe successo un caos. Era menzogna. Syriza non voleva uscire dalla eurozona, ma cambiarla da dentro, capovolgerla, democratizzarla.

Hanno tentato di mutilare Syriza, ma Syriza si è riproposta da tutte le parti come l’esempio che la Sinistra può vincere alzando la testa contro la troika e i suoi peones conservatori e socialdemocratici. Hanno convertito l'immagine di Alexis in un sorriso e in una speranza dell’Europa che non si rassegna ai tagli delle libertà, dei diritti e dei servizi sociali, educazione e salute pubblica, salari dignitosi: il suo carisma ha superato i confini della penisola ellenica.

Alexis, con i sui 39 anni, rappresenta oggi la voce della Sinistra Europea, l'unica che alza la testa alla troika e vuole rifondare l’Europa per restituire la democrazia e mettere l’economia al servizio delle persone invece delle banche. Il primo punto della sua agenda coincide con la fine dell’austerità e dei memorandum. E poi la celebrazione di una Conferenza Europea per il debito dove si progetterà il non pagamento del debito illegittimo, la riorganizzazione democratica delle istituzioni europee e la fine dell’economia del casinò che impoverisce rapidamente i lavoratori.

Dice che il neoliberismo non è irreversibile, che solo è il risultato della relazione delle forze del momento, e che quando la relazione delle forze cambia la economia politica cambierà. Per questo chiede il voto per la Sinistra Europea,in un momento cruciale per poter cambiare la politica e non soccombere nell’abisso che ci porta l’austerità.

Mundo Obrero (M.O): Nel dicembre scorso il Partito della Sinistra Europea, nel suo congresso, e attraverso un profondo dibattito, ha deciso di presentare un candidato alla presidenza della Commissione Europea. L'84% dei delegati le ha dato la responsabilità di farlo, con l’obiettivo di fornire una voce forte in Europa per determinare la alternativa per finire con le politiche neoliberali di austerità. Come valorizza il lavoro svolto in questo senso durante gi ultimi mesi?

Alexis Tsipras: Non ho concentrato la mia campagna elettorale negli studi televisivi, né tengo convegni per pochi. Durante gli ultimi cinque mesi ho avuto l'opportunità di parlare con gli uomini e le donne nelle strade in moltissime città piccole e grandi d’Europa e sono sicuro che il messaggio di speranza e di cambiamento dalla Sinistra Europea è arrivato. Sono sicuro che la gente ora sappia che c’è una alternativa credibile alla Europa neoliberale di Angel Merkel. Ora sanno che la Sinistra Europea presenta politiche alternative realistiche per soddisfare i bisogni dell’Europa del XXI secolo: sono profondamente consapevoli che il 25 maggio andiamo a votare per le nostre vite.

M.O.: Siamo ad un incrocio critico per decidere quale sarà il futuro per la gente in Europa, in che condizioni sopravvivremo dopo la crisi e come sarà la politica sociale, economica e ambientale per gli prossimi cinque anni. In questo contesto che messaggio ha per i 400 milioni di europei che hanno diritto di votare il 25 maggio?

A.T.: Tutti devono partecipare alle elezioni di maggio. Non devono lasciare che gli altri votino per loro. In particolare, tutte le persone che vogliono finire con l’austerità subito devono andare e votare chiaramente contro l’austerità. E il modo per farlo è di votare la Sinistra Europea. Queste elezioni sono uniche. Sono un referendum sulle nostre vite. Per prima volta i risultati sono cruciali per l’Europa, per i nostri paesi, per tutti e per ognuno di noi. Il nostro voto influenzerà non solo il futuro di ciascuno dei nostri paesi, ma l’intero continente. Questa volta possiamo farcela. Ed è necessario farcela. È necessario far retrocedere il neoliberismo e l'Europa tedesca. Rendere la politica della signora Merkel minoritaria in Europa. Isolarla politicamente. Sconfiggerla. Finire con l’austerità per recuperare la democrazia. Recuperare l’Europa.

L’Europa attraversa una congiuntura storica. O continueremo con l’austerità, la disoccupazione e la povertà per molti anni, con meno democrazia, o cambieremo la rotta favorendo la crescita, la giustizia e il lavoro. Con più democrazia. Per questo il dilemma che affronteremo il giorno delle elezioni è chiaro: con la sinistra o con l’austerità. Con la sinistra o con la Merkel. Nelle elezioni di maggio o questi che sono responsabili della crisi saranno sconfitti e il quadro istituzionale dell’austerità sarà sicuramente annullato o saranno capaci di continuare come se non fosse successo niente in Europa gli ultimi quattro anni, di continuare con le menzogne e i sotterfugi, uccidendo tanto i popoli quando il futuro dell’Europa.

Per tutti coloro che rifiutano l’austerità e vogliono un futuro migliore, per quelli che vogliono una speranza per se stessi e per le loro famiglie, per quelli che desiderano un lavoro e prosperità,la Sinistra Europea segna il futuro.

M.O.: Se il princiale obbiettivo del Partito della Sinistra Europea è rifondare l’Europa da dove si comincia e quali sono le chiavi del cambio?

A.T.: Per poter cambiare l’Europa, la prima cosa che deve cambiare è l’equilibrio delle forze politiche in Europa. Dipende dai cittadini europei se farlo o no con il loro voto nei prossimi giorni. L’Europa deve girare a sinistra con un voto forte alla Sinistra Europea. Dobbiamo far sì che il 2014 sia l’anno del cambiamento. Allora avremo due chiavi per raggiungerlo: la prima, la fine dell’austerità e dei memorandum, e la seconda, la graduale riorganizzazione democratica delle istituzioni europee, assicurando la partecipazione dei cittadini alle decisioni che li riguardano, al fine di affrontare il cosiddetto “deficit democratico”.

M.O.: Dice che l’austerità non funziona, pero sì che ha funzionato molto bene per la cosiddetta “economia del casinò” che, secondo quello che ha dichiarato in altre occasioni, ha approfittato delle crisi per arricchirsi ancora di più dalla riduzione del costo del lavoro e la privatizzazione e la vendita delle risorse pubbliche. Come combatti i potenti mercati finanziari che governano il mondo senza vincere le elezioni?

A.T.: Il potere dei mercati finanziari è derivato ed è politico, nel senso che è l’establishment politico europeo che gli ha permesso questo potere. Nel contesto del neoliberismo “laissez-faire” sono state rimosse tutte le forme di controllo diretto e indiretto del suo funzionamento e permette che il sistema bancario si alimenti con prodotti finanziari di liquidità. I conservatori, i liberali e i socialdemocratici, hanno deciso che la democrazia risponde ai mercati e non il contrario. Si tratta di un’opzione politica neoliberale. Il capitalismo del casinò si può contenere a livello europeo. Ma per raggiungere questo obiettivo, prima dobbiamo invertire l’equilibrio delle forze politiche in Europa a favore della Sinistra Europea.

Questo permetterà di progettare le nostre proposte politiche. Per esempio una “Legge Glass-Steagall Europea”, che è centrale per il nostro programma: contendendo per se stessa il capitalismo di casinò in Europa, separando già le attività bancarie commerciali dagli investimenti, prevedendo una combinazione tanto pericolosa di rischio in una entità controllata e ridurre l’impegno delle banche commerciali in titoli e altre attività dei prodotti finanzieri.

M.O.: Quale è il vostro progetto per creare lavoro per i 27 milioni di europei che lo cercano, in particolare giovani, con indici di disoccupazione che arrivano al 60% in Grecia e in Spagna?

A.T.: Il primo passo imprescindibile e immediato sarà finire dell’austerità e introdurre una politica orientata alla domanda interna, centrata sull'aumento dei salari, e pertanto sulla capacità di consumo dei ceti medi e bassi. Un passo parallelo sarà il cosiddetto “New Deal Europeo”. Si tratta di un piano europeo di investimenti inizialmente pubblici in temi di istruzione, ricerca e innovazione, nuove tecnologie e infrastrutture con un forte e deciso finanziamento europeo. Daremo priorità alla reflazione coordinata delle economie europee in modo che l'Europa smetta di ruotare intorno alla trappola della recessione, stagnazione e crescita anemica, con alto tasso di occupazione.

M.O.: Il Partito della Sinistra Europea ha chiesto la celebrazione di una Conferenza Europea per il debito e gli investimenti pubblici al fine di risolvere il problema dei debiti dei paesi con più difficoltà, ricalcando quello che è stato fatto in Germania nel 1953, come primo passo vero la ripresa economica. Quali sono le proposte?

A.T.: Il nostro progetto politico per gestire efficacemente il sopra-indebitamento dell'eurozona, in maniera credibile e definitiva, si bassa su tre pilastri: in primo luogo, finire con l’austerità. Perché l'austerità alimenta la proporzione di debito in relazione al Pil. Quindi, abbiamo bisogno di un cambiamento nella politica per raggiungere una crescita equilibrata e sostenibile. Ma la crescita non sarà evidente se non finisce l'austerità. Pertanto, il secondo pilastro è il “New Deal Europeo” che ho citato prima. E, in parallelo, il terzo pillastro è la “Conferenza Europea per il Debito”, per affrontare il tema del debito a parte.

Questo potrebbe significare una varietà di possibili soluzioni specifiche per ogni paese, compreso l’ammortizzare una parte significativa del valore nominale, con una “clausola della crescita” per il rimborso della parte restante, monetarizzando parzialmente il debito dalla Banca Centrale Europea, la moratoria per il pagamento del debito ecc.

M.O.: Allo stesso modo, insiste per la necessità di costruire le più ampie possibili alleanze sociali e politiche. Come va questo processo?

A.T.: Cambiare l’Europa è un compito di proporzioni storiche che richiede la più ampia partecipazione di forze sociali e politiche: non accadrà in una notte. E' un processo che richiede cambi economici e politiche immediate e riforme passo dopo passo per smantellare la struttura neoliberale della governance economica dell'eurozona che la signora Merkel e i suoi alleati politici hanno accumulato durante gli anni della crisi. Per esempio, la necessaria cancellazione del cosiddetto "patto fiscale europeo", che essendo stato approvato sia dal referendum o mediante la procedura parlamentare non può cambiare in una notte.

Non è un caso che in Grecia, che dal maggio del 2010 è stata la cavia per le esigenze della politica neoliberale dell'Unione Europea e quindi pietra miliare di un domino negativo per il sud europeo, si può convertire ora, con un governo di Syriza, in positivo, passando attraverso l’Europa, con l'inizio della fine dell’austerità e con il cambiamento democratico. Per questo il voto per la Sinistra Europea è un voto per il futuro democratico dell’Europa. E per farlo dobbiamo cambiare il potere politico in Europa. Il neoliberismo non è invincibile. È solo il prodotto di una scelta politica che corrisponde all’equilibrio delle forze del momento concreto della storia europea. Deve la sua longevità, come il paradigma economico attuale, soprattutto ai socialdemocratici, che dalla metà degli anni ’90 hanno adottato la strategia politica di accettare completamente i suoi principi e obiettivi politici.

M.O.: Una decisione di grande importanza che si deve adottare durante la prossima legislatura europea è l'approvazione o meno del TTIP, del Trattato Transatlantico di Investimenti e Partenariato, tra gli Stati Uniti e l’Unione Europea che determinerà profondamente le nostre vite, l'economia e la propria democrazia. Il Partito della Sinistra Europea tiene una posizione molto forte contro il Trattato. Quali sono i punti più pericolosi di questo accordo?

A.T.: La Sinistra Europea non accetterà mai un accordo commerciale che unisce la corsa al ribasso degli standard sociali, di lavoro, di sicurezza, di salute e delle norme ambientali, che sono di solito impliciti negli accordi commerciali, una corsa per la riduzione delle democrazia. Non accetteremo mai un accordo commerciale che permette alle imprese private di promulgare procedimenti e azioni legali contro i governi nazionali nel caso di un cambio nell’economia o nella politica di investimenti che considerano dannose per i loro interessi. Questo è senza precedenti ed è assolutamente intollerabile.

M.O.: In una conferenza stampa ha detto che preferiva vedere il giorno prima la partita di calcio tra Real Madrid e Barcelona piuttosto il dibattito televisivo tra Schultz e Juncker, perché almeno i giocatori hanno giocato sul serio nel campo. Come definisce i due candidati delle socialdemocrazia e della destra, Schulz e Juncker, per la presidenza della Commissione Europea?

A.T.Q I miei commenti sono solo politici. A mio parere, il signor Juncher e il signor Schulz sono praticamente complementari. Nonostante le loro differenze, fanno parte dello stesso consenso neoliberale. Per questo consumano il loro periodo preelettorale con generalità e desideri, nascondendo il loro vero comune programma di austerità.

*Gema Delgaro è giornalista del Mundo Obrero, giornale storico del Partito Comunista di Spagna, e partecipa nel gruppo comunicazione della Sinistra Europea. Ha dichiarato alla listatsipras.eu che la intervista del presidente del Syriza, che è stata pubblicata nel Mundo Obrero.272 del maggio del 2014 e nel sito della Sinistra Europea, rappresenta la sua unica intervista pubblicata in un giornale spagnolo gli ultimi mesi a causa del black out informativo dai grandi mezzi di informazione spagnoli nei confronti di Alexs Tsipras, di Syriza e della Sinistra Europea. Nonostante la censura indiretta, i sondaggi danno alla Sinistra Unita - Plurale spagnola tra il 11% e il 16%, quasi il doppio che ha avuto nelle elezioni europarlamentari del 2009.

Traduzione: A. Panagopoulos

Alexis Tsipras' video message for the 10th anniversary of the European Left

Details: Category: STATEMENTS; Published: Wednesday, 14 May 2014 17:04

On May 9th, the European Left celebrated its 10th anniversary in Rome with many notable personalities of the Left, including Fabio Amato, Barbara Spinelli, Paolo Ferrero, Elenora Forenza, Pierre Laurant, Maite Mola, Stelios Papas and Walter Pomar.

Originally published: http://www2.rifondazione.it/primapagina/?p=12324

Internationally renowned intellectuals' declaration of support for Alexis Tsipras' candidacy

Details: Category: STATEMENTS; Published: Friday, 09 May 2014 17:04

Declaration

We have a global crisis with refugees and internally displaced people. Every day in 2012, over 23,000 people were forced out of their homes; 45 million people were forcibly displaced. The situation has got worse, with Syria worst hit: 40% of its population, 9 million people, half of them children, have fled their homes.

We collaborate on an EU-funded COST Action (a research network centred on nationally funded projects) on ethics and disasters. We have witnessed, worked in, and studied disasters worldwide. Refugees flee for their lives. Neighbouring countries are overwhelmed. Refugee camps are often inhumane. The Treaty on European Union declares: "The Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights." Some EU countries accept a few thousand refugees; many accept none.

Barbed wire is being erected around our borders. Our "respect for human dignity" seems to apply only inside the fence.

We are citizens from 15 EU countries: doctors, humanitarian workers, and professors. Colleagues from another nine countries support us. Our countries have a history of poverty and conflict. Only circumstances make one a refugee and another a comfortable EU citizen. Our ancestors had to leave home, and foreign shores accepted them. Will we welcome the stranger?

We urge EU voters to elect those who uphold our founding principle: "respect for human dignity". This applies to refugees, our fellow brothers and sisters. We want to honestly sing the EU anthem, "Alle menschen werden Brüder" (All men will become brothers).

Dónal O'Mathúna Senior lecturer, ethics (Ireland); chair of COST Action IS1201: Disaster Bioethics,

Ayesha Ahmad Tutor, medical ethics (UK),

Ana Borovecki Assistant professor, bioethics & public health (Croatia),

Roger Bromley Emeritus professor, cultural studies (UK),

Ernesto d'Aloja Professor, legal medicine and bioethics (Italy),

Francesco Della Corte Hon. fellow, EuSEM, disaster medicine (Italy),

Federica DemuruResearcher, bioethics (Italy),

Ignaas Devisch Professor, philosophy of medicine and ethics (Belgium),

Heather Draper Professor, biomedical ethics (UK),

Vasil Gluchman Professor, philosophy and ethics (Slovakia),

Ghaiath Hussein Doctoral researcher, bioethics (UK),

Niklas JuthAssociate professor, medical ethics (Sweden),

Péter Kakuk Assistant professor, bioethics (Hungary),

Eleni Kalokairinou Associate professor, moral philosophy (Greece),

Pierre Mallia Professor, bioethics (Malta),

Signe Mezinska Lecturer, bioethics (Latvia),

Goran Mijaljica Lecturer, medical ethics and psychiatry (Croatia),

Emilomo Ogbe Researcher, Sexual & Reproductive Health (Belgium),

Salvatore Pisu MD, emergency medicine (Italy),

Paulina Pospieszna Assistant professor, political science (Poland),

Aivita Putnina Director, social anthropology (Latvia),

Joanna Rozynska Assistant professor, bioethics (Poland),

Jackie Leach Scully Professor, social ethics and bioethics (UK),

Kadri Simm Associate professor, practical philosophy (Estonia),

Peter Sýkora Professor, philosophy and biology (Slovakia),

Emanuele Valenti Lecturer, bioethics (Spain)

Johan von Schreeb Disaster medicine specialist (Sweden)

Behnam Taebi Assistant professor, ethics (The Netherlands)

Marcin Waligóra Assistant professor, Bioethics (Poland)

Supported by colleagues outside the EU:

Y Michael Barilan Associate professor, medical education (Israel)

M Murat Civaner Associate professor, medical ethics (Turkey)

Alma Dzubur Kulenovic Assistant professor, psychiatry (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Maureen Ehrensberger-Dow Professor, translation studies (Switzerland)

Nir Eyal Associate professor, global health, medical ethics (US)

Dusanka Krajnović Assistant professor, biomedical legislation and ethics (Serbia)

Jay Marlowe Senior lecturer, refugee settlement (New Zealand)

Veselin Mitrović Research associate, sociology and bioethics (Serbia)

Elysée Nouvet Postdoctoral fellow, humanitarian healthcare (Canada)

Deogratias M Rwezaura Social Ethics & Forced Migration (Kenya)

Vojin Rakić Professor, political philosophy & bioethics (Serbia)

One hundred years after the beginning of World War I and seventy years after the end of World War II, Europe is at a crossroads. If the current neoliberal and authoritarian policies are not reversed catastrophe awaits Europe and the world: further decline of democracy, increase in poverty and inequality, destruction of the environment, the inexorable rise of extreme right-wing and fascist forces which grow in the soil of despair created by unemployment and deprivation. The European Union must rediscover its original principles of peace, democracy and social justice. More generally Europe needs and deserves a new deal that places on a new basis the principles of liberty, equality and solidarity recently betrayed by liberals and social democrats.

The candidacy of Alexis Tsipras, the President of SYRIZA the Greek Radical Left party, for the presidency of the European Commission carries a strong symbolism. Greece has been the guinea pig in a huge neoliberal experiment which has led to a well-documented humanitarian crisis. The nomination of Tsipras as the candidate of the European Left party offers a ray of hope that neoliberalism and authoritarianism can be stopped and reversed.

Etienne Balibar, Distinguished Professor, Comparative Literature School of Humanities University of California, Irvine

Costas Douzinas, Professor of Law, Pro-Vice Master for International Links and Director of the Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities

Chantal Mouffe, Professor of Political Theory at the University of Westminster

Drucilla Cornell, Professor of law, women's studies and political science at Rutgers University

Tariq Ali, Writer, journalist, and filmmaker. Member of the editorial committee of the New Left Review and Sin Permiso, and contributor to The Guardian, CounterPunch, and the London Review of Books

Lynne Segal, Anniversary Professor of Psychology and Gender Studies at Birkbeck College, London

Slavoj Zizek, Senior researcher at the Institute of Sociology, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, and visiting professor at a number of American Universities (Columbia, Princeton, New School for Social Research, New York University, University of Michigan)

Hilary Wainwright, Co-editor of Red Pepper and research director of the New Politics Project of the Transnational Institute, Amsterdam

Athena Athanasiou, Professor, Department of Social Anthropology at Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, in Athens, Greece

Jacqueline Rose, Professor of English at Queen Mary, University of London

Judith Butler, Maxine Elliot Professor in the Departments of Rhetoric and Comparative Literature at the University of California, Berkeley & Hannah Arendt Professor of Philosophy at the European Graduate School

Joanna Bourke, Professor of History in the School of History, Classics and Archaeology at Birkbeck College

Wendy Brown, Senior Invited Fellow of the Center for Humanities at Cornell University; visiting professor at Columbia University

Jodi Dean, Professor of Political and Media Theory in Geneva, New York

Doreen Massey, Professor Emeritus, Geography, The Open University UK

Sandro Mezzadra, Associate Professor of Political Theory at the University of Bologna

Bruce Robbins, Old Dominion Foundation Professor of the Humanities, Department of English and Comparative Literature, Columbia University

Leo Panitch, Distinguished Research Professor of Political Science at York University

Adolphe Reed, Professor, University of Pennsylvania

Doug Henwood, Journalist, economic analyst, and financial trader who writes frequently about economic affairs for the Left Business Observer

Johann Kresnik, Austrian dancer, choreographer and director

Martijn Konings, Lecturer in the Department of Political Economy, University of Sydney

Frances Fox Piven, Professor of Political Science and Sociology at The Graduate Center, City University of New York

Enzo Traver, Professor of Political Science at the University of Picardie-Jules Verne, Amiens, and visiting lecturer at the Free University of Berlin

European Progressive Economists Network supports change in Europe

Details: Category: STATEMENTS; Published: Friday, 09 May 2014 14:10

Another Road for Europe

Appeal for the European Elections May 2014

On the eve of the European elections in May 2014 Europe is experiencing continuing austerity and economic stagnation together with rising inequality and a growing divide between the countries of the centre and the periphery. Democracy is being undermined at the national level, and has not been developed at the European level. Power is concentrated in the hands of unaccountable technocratic institutions and of the strongest states. At the same time, waves of populism are sweeping Europe, with the growth of dangerous nationalist movements in some countries. This is not the Europe that was imagined decades ago as a space of economic and political integration free from war. This is not the Europe that promised economic and social progress, the extension of democracy and welfare rights. A radical change is needed. The European elections of May 2014 are an important opportunity to reject the neoliberal impasse of Europe and populist temptations, and to affirm that Another Road for Europe is possible.

The European Progressive Economists Network (Euro-pen), which brings together economists and civil society groups, calls on European citizens and political forces to engage in a Europe-wide debate on alternatives. We propose five directions of radical change for European policies. These ideas should be at the centre of the election campaign and of the activities of the new European Parliament and European Commission.

1. End austerity. EU restrictive fiscal policies have to be reversed; in particular the Fiscal Compact and the Stability and Growth Pact must be abandoned. Budget rules have to be changed and the target of “structural balance” for public budgets should be replaced by a coordinated economic strategy that allows Member states to follow the fiscal policy required to recover from the crisis. Without a strong stimulation of demand there is no way out of the current stagnation. Public investments for an ecological transition should play a major role, financed at the European level by a major programme of lending by the European Investment Bank. A Europe-wide public investment plan is necessary to reconstruct economic activities which are sustainable and capable of providing good jobs. These actions should be at the core of a new industrial policy for Europe, oriented towards the aim of a long term social and ecological transformation of the economic model with a fundamental reduction in the consumption of non-renewable energy.

2. Control finance. Facing deflation – and the vicious circle of restrictive policies, depression and downward wage competition – the eurozone’s monetary policy has to drastically change, allowing inflation to return to at least 2%. The European Central Bank must provide liquidity for expansionary policies and act as a lender of last resort in the government bond markets. The public debt problem has to be solved with a common responsibility of the eurozone and with debt restructuring. Eurobonds should be introduced not just to refinance public debt, but to fund the ecological conversion of Europe’s economy. A radical downsizing of the financial sector is needed, with a financial transaction tax, the elimination of speculative finance and the control of capital movements. The emerging rules on the Banking Union do not address the fundamental flaws and fragility of the financial system; stricter regulations should ban the more speculative and risky financial activities, and a strict division should be introduced between commercial and investment banks. Offshore financial centres and tax havens in the EU need to be eliminated through tax harmonisation and tighter financial regulation.

3. Expand jobs, reverse economic divergence. The unemployment level in the EU has reached record highs. It is a source of economic weakness and social disintegration; providing new jobs in socially and environmentally sustainable economic activities should become a major policy priority. Within the eurozone, the large current account imbalances should be reduced by also obliging surplus countries to adjust. The pressure to reduce wages and workers’ rights should stop; competitiveness should not rely on lower wages but on higher productivity and investment. Minimum wages at the European level – adjusted for countries’ per capita GDP – should be introduced.

4. Reduce inequality. Inequality has reached record levels and prevents a return to equitable growth. Europe’s social model should be defended and extended with policies of redistribution, social protection and welfare based on Europe-wide solidarity. In order to reduce inequality and defend the welfare state deep changes in tax systems are needed, with a tax harmonization in Europe that prevents companies from escaping the taxation of profits, and with a shift in taxation from labour to wealth and non-renewable resources.

5. Expand democracy. Economic policy decisions should be subject to democratic control. We need to stop bankers, technocrats and business lobbies from determining decisions that affect us all. Democracy should be extended, with greater Parliamentary control and citizen participation at a national and European level. As a response to the crisis, the scope for public action should be expanded in economic activities – including finance, productive reconstruction and public services. The current negotiations on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) envisage a major reduction of democratic processes, policy space and public regulation; stopping the TTIP should be a major policy priority for the new Parliament.

We ask citizens to support this vision of Another Road for Europe and to vote for candidates and political forces who are committed to promoting it. The emergence of a progressive coalition in the new European Parliament will be crucial in order to end the failed policies associated with the “grand coalition” between the centre-right and centre-left which has been ruling most of Europe.

Europe can survive only if another road is taken. Europe has to mean social justice, environmental responsibility, democracy and peace. This other Europe is possible; the choice is in our hands.

European Progressive Economists Network (Euro-pen)

Member organisations include: EuroMemo Group, the Economistes Atterrés (France), Sbilanciamoci! (Italy), the Transnational Institute (the Netherlands), EconoNuestra (Spain), Econosphères (Belgium), Beigewum (Austria), Transform! Europe, Critical Political Economy Research Network

Initial supporters

Nuria Alonso, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid and econoNuestra Elmar Altvater, Attac Germany
Jordi Angusto, Universidad Autónoma Barcelona and econoNuestra Giorgos Argitis, University of Athens

Etienne Balibar, University of Paris X Nanterre and University of California, Irvine
Frederic Boccara, University of Paris 13 and Économistes Atterrés
Luciana Castellina, founder of Il Manifesto
João Cravinho, Former member of the Portuguese Government and of the Board of the EBRD Donatella Della Porta, European University Institute

Giovanni Dosi, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy
Trevor Evans, Berlin School of Economics & Law and EuroMemorandum
Marica Frangakis, Nicos Poulantzas Institute, Athens and EuroMemorandum
Maurizio Franzini, Sapienza University of Rome
Nancy Fraser, New School for Social Research, New York
Ulisses Garrido, sociologist, tradeunionist, Director of the Education Department at the ETUI Susan George, honorary president of Attac France, Board President of the Transnational Institute John Grahl, Middlesex University, London and EuroMemorandum
Rafael Grasa Hernandez, ICIP, Barcelona
Mary Kaldor, London School of Economics
Maurizio Landini, General Secretary, Metal Workers’ Union, FIOM-CGIL, Italy
Dany Lang, University of Paris 13 and Économistes Atterrés
Francisco Louçã, Professor of Economics, ISEG, Lisbon University
Bengt-Ǻke Lundvall, University of Ǻlborg, Denmark
Jose María Mella, Universidad Autónoma, Madrid and econoNuestra
Dimitris Milonakis , University of Crete and Interim coordinator of IIPPE
Chantal Mouffe, University of Westminster, London
Henrique Neto, Entrepreneur and former Socialist Member of Parliament
Pascal Petit, University of Paris 13
Mario Pianta, University of Urbino and Sbilanciamoci!
Dominique Plihon, University of Paris 13 and Économistes Atterrés
Gregorio Rodríguez, Universidad Alcalá Henares, Madrid
Rossana Rossanda, founder of Il Manifesto
Saskia Sassen, Columbia University, New York
José Almeida Serra, Vice President of the Portuguese Economic and Social Council
Henri Sterdyniak, Économistes Atterrés
David Trillo, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid and econoNuestra
Koldo Unceta, Universidad País Vasco and econoNuestra
Peter Wahl, World Economy & Development Association (WEED), Germany
Hilary Wainwright, Co-editor, Red Pepper, Great Britain
Frieder Otto Wolf, Free University Berlin and EuroMemorandum

For more information, visit www.euro-pen.org

"The Mediterranean is becoming a 'floating graveyard'"

Details: Category: STATEMENTS; Published: Wednesday, 07 May 2014 21:37

Another tragedy has unfolded in Greek waters; 22 immigrants died when the speedboat carrying them capsized north of the island of Samos. The cause of the accident is unknown.

Of the 65 people on board the vessel, 36 were rescued, while 7 remain missing. The frequency of such accidents off Greece's sea borders is on the rise, prompting calls from numerous groups to revise EU policy on immigration.

"The recent deaths off the coast of Samos, along with those near Palairos and Farmakonisi form "a macabre list of 'isolated incidents' that have turned the Mediterranean into a floating graveyard and Europe into lethal fortress," said Alexis Tsipras, leader of SYRIZA and candidate on behalf of the European Left for President of the European Commission.

Alexis Tsipras über das Wahlbündnis Europa Anders

Details: Category: STATEMENTS; Published: Monday, 05 May 2014 22:46

Alexis Tsipras supports Europa Anders

Europa Anders is a political alliance in Austria consisting of the Communist Party, the Pirate Party of Austria, the Change party and Independents. The alliance promotes:

Innovative democracy, participation and empowered society
Network freedom, privacy, and open knowledge
Equal opportunity, distributive justice and safeguarding the welfare state
Sustainable management and the future of work
Active policy of peace and solidarity

Déclaration sur l'arrestation et la détention de Gerry Adams

Details: Category: STATEMENTS; Published: Sunday, 04 May 2014 18:33

Déclaration d'Alexis Tsipas

«L'arrestation et la détention de Gerry Adams, leader du Sinn Fein et pionner du processus de paix en Irlande, est un acte politiquement incendiaire contre la démocratie et la paix fragile et la normalité dan la région.

L'arrestation de Adams concerne toute l'Europe.
Néanmoins il n'est pas seul. En plus du soutien du peuple grec, il a le soutien de tous les citoyens démocrates à travers l'Europe qui méprisent les politiques opportunistes et pré-électorales du bouc émissaire, dans une tentative d'influencer les élections européennes locales du 23 mai en Irlande.

En ma qualité de président de SYRIZA et candidat au nom de la Gauche européenne à la présidence de la Commission européenne, je demande la libération immédiate et inconditionnelle de Gerry Adams.»

Statement on the arrest and detention of Gerry Adams in Northern Ireland

Details: Category: STATEMENTS; Published: Friday, 02 May 2014 18:53

STATEMENT BY ALEXIS TSIPRAS

ON THE ARREST AND DETENTION OF GERRY ADAMS

IN NORTHERN IRELAND

The arrest and detention of Gerry Adams, leader of Sinn Fein and pioneer of the peace process in Northern Ireland, is a politically inflammatory act against democracy and the fragile peace and normality in the area.

Adams’ arrest is of concern to all of Europe.

He does not stand alone, though. In addition to the support of the Greek people, he has the support of every democratic citizen across Europe who despises scapegoat politics and opportunistic pre-electoral actions, in an attempt to influence the local and European elections of May 23^rd in Ireland.

As President of SYRIZA and candidate on behalf of the European Left for President of the European Commission, I ask for the immediate and unconditional release of Gerry Adams.

Letter to EU leaders: Stop the planned destruction of Syria's chemical weapons in the Mediterranean Sea

Details: Category: STATEMENTS; Published: Friday, 04 April 2014 21:26

Alexis Tsipras, President of SYRIZA and candidate of the European Left for Presidency of the European Commission, demanded that the operation for the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons slated to take place in the Mediterranean be stopped immediately.

In a letter to the President of the European Commission, Mr. J. Manuel Barroso, the President of the European Parliament, Mr. Martin Schulz, the President of the European Council, Mr. H. Van Rompuy and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms. Catherine Ashton, Tsipras documented his concerns and those of his Party regarding the planned destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons. Tsipras highlighted the lack of transparency due to classification as a “military” operation, the numerous E.U. policies that would be violated, and the many known and unknown environmental risks.

***

To:

--The President of the European Commission, Mr. J. Manuel Barroso

--The President of the European Parliament, Mr. Martin Schulz

--To the President of the European Council, Mr. H. Van Rompuy

--To theHigh Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms. CatherineAshton

With this letter I wish to express my intense concern regarding the exceedingly serious matter of the imminent destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons in international waters, within the sea region of the Mediterranean.

This operation is being without transparency, due to the classification as “military”, and is coordinated by the UN and overseen by the Executive Council of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction. The absence of any official information by the U.N. and the OPCW about the exact location and methods that will be used has created enormous apprehension regarding the consequences to the greater Mediterranean Sea region. This operation, in the event of any failure or unanticipated factor, runs the risk of turning our physical neighborhood into a dumping ground for dangerous, toxic waste, according to the scientific community, which has expressed serious reservations about the scientific credibility of the listed methods.

Because of the enormity of the risk involved in the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons in the Mediterranean, to Public Health, the marine ecosystem, fishing, tourism, and an array of productive activities across the entire Mediterranean and its surrounding regions, any guarantees given thus far, are inadequate.

Because we, as the European Left Party, have programmatically expressed the stand that the UN has to have a peacekeeping role, acting as a democratic body, which will guarantee world peace and promote multilateral elimination of mass destruction weapons, including chemical weapons.

Because this past February 17^th the European Union awarded a contract for 12 million Euros to the OPCW in order to finance the destruction of Syria’s chemical arsenal,

Because the operation of the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons in the Mediterranean violates a number of E.U. policies, such as:

· The agreement for the protection of the Mediterranean from pollution, subsequently called Convention for the Protection Of The Mediterranean Sea Against Pollution (Barcelona Agreement), concluded by the Council on behalf of the European Community by the 77/585 and 1999/802/EC decisions.

· The Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean to the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean as adopted by the Council of the European Union on 13/9/2010.

· Articles 191 and 192, paragraph 5, of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, which states, “Union policy on the environment shall contribute to pursuit of the … objectives [of] preserving, protecting and improving the quality of the environment, protecting human health, prudent and rational utilisation of natural resources, promoting measures at international level to deal with regional or worldwide environmental problems” based on and influenced by “the principle that the polluter should pay.”

· The whole of the Integrated Maritime Policy of the E.U.

· The E.U. Maritime Policy that is included in all of the priorities of the Greek (Hellenic) Presidency. Furthermore, the Greek Presidency and the upcoming Italian presidency, have both named 2014 as the ‘Year of the Mediterranean’, according to the official web site of the former.

· The European Commission issued an Announcement on February 20^th of its new Strategy for sustaining coastal and maritime tourism. The Announcement will be formally made during the High Level Conference on Coastal and Maritime Tourism in Athens, under the auspices of the Greek Presidency.

· The Announcement by the E.U. regarding the “E.U. Strategy in the Adriatic and the Ionian sea” in June of 2014, at the end of the Greek presidency of the E.U., and its subsequent adoption by the Council of Ministers, in the Autumn of 2014, during the Italian presidency of the E.U.

I call upon the European Commission to undertake all necessary initiatives in order to:

- Cancel the destruction of the chemical weapons of Syria in the Mediterranean

- Revoke E.U. financing for the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons if it is conducted in the Mediterranean

-Exert pressure on the U.N. with the purpose of declassifying this operation from a military one to a PEACEFUL OPERATION for the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons, outside the boundaries of the Mediterranean and under procedures that are fully transparent.

- Support the necessary procedures for the determination of the E.E.Z. of the Mediterranean countries.

Respectfully,

Alexis Tsipras

President of SYRIZA

European Left Party Candidate for the European Commission Presidency

"We are standing in solidarity with the Spanish people and their fight for dignity"

Details: Category: STATEMENTS; Published: Friday, 28 March 2014 12:25

The struggle to maintain human dignity is the final barrier against the neoliberal and neoconservative offensive that threatens human and civil rights, alike.

The «Marches for Dignity» are the collective response of the Spanish people against the policies of austerity that have destroyed their country. Millions have joined to protest against ballooning unemployment, bank foreclosures on their homes, pension cuts, shrinking benefits and the privatization of state assests, which serve business interests only and deprive the state of revenue. The protesters are united against the politicians and their policies that are responsible for decimating social cohesion across Europe.

When we speak of maintaining human dignity, we of course include women’s rights. The right to choose is a basic right. The attempts by the Rajoy government to outlaw abortions threaten to return Spain to the dark years of history, where prior to 1978, abortions were considered a crime punishable by jailtime. We should not allow this to happen again - we stand united in solidarity with Spanish women.

The struggle of the Spanish people is common to us all: for the Greek, Portuguese and Cypriot people seeking to regain their national sovereignty, and for the lives and dignity of citizens regardless of where they may live—in the North or the South, in the East or the West. It is our collective struggle/fight for democracy and prosperity throughout Europe.

We will see the results of the grassroots movements and citizen initiatives against neoliberalism and austerity come May, in the European elections. The policies currently in place can and must change: the will of the voters is the only way to bring a decisive end to austerity, once and for all.

These upcoming elections are of unprecedented importance: we are voting for our lives and our future. For this reason, we must all take a stand--so that we don’t allow others to decide what’s best for our lives.

This May, let your voice be heard: Vote for the European Left!

This statement was originally published in Spanish in Publico.es

Access to water and sanitation is a human right

Details: Category: STATEMENTS; Published: Thursday, 27 March 2014 12:07

"Martin Schulz’ rhetoric on the Ukrainian issue is irresponsible and Cold War-like"

Details: Category: STATEMENTS; Published: Friday, 21 March 2014 23:43

Martin Schulz, the current President of the European parliament and candidate in the upcoming elections, accused Russia of violating international law when it annexed Crimea.

In a statement given to Euronews earlier today, Mr. Schulz called on European leaders to rethink the common EU Neighborhood Policy, as well as their relations with the Russian Federation. According to the PES-PSE candidate, an alteration of borders in post-Cold War Europe is unacceptable.

In response, Alexis Tsipras, the Greek candidate of the European Left Party (GUE/NGL) and Greek opposition leader expressed his deep concern about the situation in Ukraine, and criticized the EU’s cold war-like policies.

In a statement to Euronews, Mr. Tsipras criticized the stance taken by current President of the European Parliament, calling Mr. Shulz’s judgments “irresponsible.”

Mr. Tsipras, who has repeatedly declared his commitment to international law, stressed that the only viable path in this case is one of peaceful negotiation and cooperation; hostile rhetoric and mutual threats pose a serious risk to Europe’s future. Drawing parallels to the painful consequences of the Turkish invasion in Cyprus and the events in Yugoslavia in early ‘90s, Mr. Tsipras offered a stern reminder regarding how catastrophic results may be when force, rather than diplomacy is used.

Noting the participation of far-right extremists and neo-Nazis in the newly formed Ukrainian “government,” Mr. Tsipras recalled the sanctions that were imposed in Austria, when Jörg Haider took part in the government.

Mr. Tsipras concluded by calling on Mr. Schulz to avoid Cold War rhetoric and focus instead on post-war social-democratic values that emphasize political dialogue and peaceful relationships among the nation-states. In this respect, Mr. Tsipras criticized Mr. Schulz for favoring Chancellor Merkel’s political approach rather continuing in the SPD tradition of Willy Brandt.

Statement on the death of Tony Benn

Details: Category: STATEMENTS; Published: Friday, 14 March 2014 22:52

Tony Benn's life graced post-war Europe during the century he lived. His thoughts and actions, inextricably connected until the end, inspired the struggles and embodied the hopes of every socialist, democrat and supporter of the left, for peace, democracy, social justice and change, during turbulent and rough times for his country and Europe as a whole.

A great and sincere friend of the Greek people, Tony Benn stood by our side, without fail, whenever we really needed it. During the dictatorship, he played a leading role in the international isolation of the junta. More recently, in response to the financial crisis and the arrival of the troika, he organized a European campaign of solidarity with the Greek people, as chairman of the "Coalition of Resistance ".

Tony Benn dedicated his life to serving people and to truly embodying the ideals of Socialism. He remains not just an emblematic figure to us in Greece, but to every Socialist and Leftist in Europe. His politics and policies remain a beacon of hope and a necessary point of reference as European Social-democracy faces a strategic dilemma: either remain on the Thatcher-inspired one-way street of Mrs Merkel - the way of austerity and fear – or to join with the European Left in the non-negotiable political priorities Tony Benn himself emphasized, namely democracy, dignity of labor, social justice and development.

SYRIZA, public statement

Tony Benn, an iconic figure of the British left, former UK cabinet minister and Labour MP for more than 50 years, passed away at age 88.

Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Benn worked tirelessly to promote peace and social justice across Europe and indeed, the globe. He was an ardent champion of union rights, nuclear disarmament and the peace movement, and an opponent of neoliberal economic policies and globalization. His vision for Europe was one based on common democratic values, worker’s rights and environmental protections.

Among his many notable achievements was the creation of the Coalition of Resistance (CoR) in 2010, whose aim was to oppose his government’s spending cuts and privatizations, in the wake of the economic downturn. He also supported similar citizens’ movements in Greece.

Mr. Benn’s solidarity with Greece was long-standing: he was the president of the Greece Solidarity Campaign, he maintained close ties with the Greek left, including SYRIZA and repeatedly called on Britain to the return the Elgin (Parthenon) Marbles to Greece.

Mr. Benn’s contributions to the Left will remain an important part of history. We offer our sincerest condolences to his family and many supporters.

Α statement by Alexis Tsipras following his meeting with Jean-Luc Melenchon of the French Front des Gauches

Details: Category: STATEMENTS; Published: Monday, 03 February 2014 14:17

“We had the chance today to discuss with friend and comrade Jean-Luc Melenchon about questions that concern the Left as well as the whole of Europe. And we came to the conclusion that the May elections, the elections for the European Parliament on May 25, are a tremendous opportunity for the peoples of Europe to take their destiny into their own hands, and to step on the brake regarding the course of a Europe of austerity, a Europe of social disaster, imposed on us by the priorities that belong with the dominant conservative and neo-liberal forces; indeed, to take control of their destiny by opening a prospect of hope for a Europe defined by social cohesion, solidarity and democracy.

We had also the opportunity to discuss the message of SYRIZA in Greece, namely that the Left can be the alternative which will lead the peoples of Europe out of the crisis generated by austerity, and that this message can be transmitted to the rest of Europe, too. Because the extreme and populist Right presents no alternative to the peoples of Europe; because social-democracy has found itself at a strategic dead-end; because the dominant neo-liberal Right has led Europe itself to a dead-end. For those reasons, the only viable alternative before the peoples of Europe is the Left, with its forces united, and ready to create the pleasant surprise of the European elections in May. Ready to try together to change the balance of political forces in order to be able to re-build a Europe of solidarity and social cohesion.

Finally, we also had the chance to inform each other, to discuss and to compare notes about developments in Greece as well as in France. Greece, as you know, is going through a quite volatile phase, politically as well as economically; nevertheless, already everybody is presupposing that SYRIZA will form the next government. And this is something that is beginning to cause fear among the political establishment in Europe. Now they are looking for a way to present their plans for new loans over the old loans, and for new memoranda if only under some different name. No matter what the name will be of their plans, though, the reality remains the same: that austerity programs do not, and cannot, lead to a breakthrough.

We therefore come to the fore in order to put an end to the austerity programs; but in order for us to be successful it is not enough to have the support of the majority of the Greek people, which we are confident that will be the case in our elections at home. What is also necessary is the support of the majority of the peoples of Europe. It is for that reason that we are counting a lot on the solidarity and the struggle waged by our comrades here in France, as we also count a lot on the efforts made by Jean-Luc Melenchon to succeed in changing the balance of the political forces in a country as significant as France.”

Austerity is wreaking havoc, but the left can unite to build a better Europe

Details: Category: STATEMENTS; Published: Wednesday, 27 November 2013 21:25

More than 1,000 young people a day are joining the ranks of Europe's unemployed. In the past four years the army of jobless people across the continent has grown by more than 10 million.

In Greece, despite the government's claim that austerity has been a success, the 2014 budget imposes new public spending cuts and more job losses. The economic and humanitarian catastrophe is unprecedented in peacetime: 27% unemployment, 60% youth unemployment, a 25% shrinking of GDP, 40% reduction in family income. And, even after relentless pain, the debt-to-GDP ratio is almost 180%. It was only 120% in 2010 when the first austerity measures were imposed.

But, the human tragedy is not limited to Greece. Wages across Europe have been slashed and the welfare state scaled back at a rate unprecedented in the postwar era. Millions are struggling to pay their mortgages, electricity bills or medical and student debts. Europe's humanitarian crisis is unlike anything experienced in 60 years, with 120 million people enduring conditions of extreme difficulty, according to the Red Cross. This is not a natural phenomenon, but is, to use Nelson Mandela's words, "manmade" poverty.

Zealots for neoliberalism have turned ordinary people's lives upside down. Their structural adjustment policies serve a model of economic governance that transfers risk on to the shoulders of ordinary workers and the young. But the response of EU and national leaders is hopeless. The main EU policy initiative on youth unemployment ("youth guarantee") amounts, for example, to just €6bn or 0.6% of the EU budget for 2014-2020. Austerity, work precarity and the dynamics of the markets undermine the ability of low- and middle-wage earners to make a decent living. Household debt is extremely high in the Netherlands and Malta (almost 220% of GDP), while in Portugal, Spain and Italy many businesses are trapped in a spiral of debt.

Those European leaders who claim that the current medicine is a "success" are hypocrites. For millions of people, the European dream has turned into a nightmare. Eurobarometer surveys show the growing crisis of confidence in the EU and the catastrophic rise in the popularity of far-right parties. What should give us hope is the emergence of new solidarity groups and community-based movements. They can and will lead to greater democratic participation and control.

The European elections next May also provide an opportunity to start a real dialogue with the people – especially those who feel that no one cares for them – about a new basis for meaningful democracy and human dignity. It is time for Europe to stop the shocking breach of human rights by reshaping the state, restoring growth and creating high-quality, stable jobs with the protections that have historically contributed to the European social model.

Europe needs an anti-austerity and anti-recession front, a solidarity movement for its working people, north and south. This could deliver a pact for democracy, development and social justice. We must rebuild solidarity among the young, the workers, the pensioners and the unemployed to break down the new dividing line between Europe's rich and poor, the "mur d'argent" to use a historical phrase that has become topical.

I will be standing for the presidency of the European commission on behalf of the European Left party, and that decision is motivated by our desire to reunite Europe and rebuild it on a democratic and progressive basis. There is an alternative to the present crisis and it is our duty and destiny to fight for it.