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European Anticapitalist Left declaration One year after saying NO to the European Constitutional Treaty 1) One year after, the European Union faces challenges
The French and Dutch “No” ended up being a fatal blow to the project of the militarist, antidemocratic and neo-liberal constitution for the European Union (EU). This victory is first of all a defeat for neo-liberalism. Workers and youth don’t accept capitalism as the end of history for humanity any more. In a context of globalization, of delocalization and privatization, the values of the market and competition are definitely not ours. The rejection of the constitution is a sanction against the autocratic power of the ruling elite. They cannot indefinitely ridicule universal suffrage and all our democratic gains, the fruits of two centuries of struggle. Finally, the results of the French and Dutch referendums express a deep aversion to war and imperialism, at the time of the Iraqi mire and the militarization of Europe through its subordination to NATO. We oppose any imperialist war against Iran. 2) From the No of the ballot to the No on the streets The French and Dutch “No” have been a tremendous lever for all the social struggles in Europe those past few months. The rejection of neo-liberalism in the ballot has been translated into powerful European social movements on the streets. The Lisbon and Barcelona strategies, with their antisocial effects have been massively rejected. In January 2006, thanks to their European mobilization and the pressure they put on the European Parliament, dockers have defeated the directive which liberalizes port services for the second time. With their European demonstrations, social movements and unions have pushed back the Eurocrats on the country of origin principle in the Bolkestein directive. The struggle goes on for its total rejection and for the improvement of working conditions in all the countries of Europe and legislation offering workers the highest degree of protection. Being challenged in Strasbourg and Brussels, the strategies of Lisbon and Barcelona have been challenged with a new dimension in many European countries, after several decades. Germany’s biggest strike in 20 years happened while the government wanted to increase working time from 38.5 to 42 hours in regional public services. In Great Britain too the biggest strike since 1926 took place in transport and municipal services, with more than 1.5 million workers on strike for 24 hours. In Denmark over 100,000 demonstrated on 17th May against the right-wing government’s plan to attack the welfare system. Finally, in France, after the movement of the poor suburbs in autumn 2005, a long, massive and powerful social movement took place among youth and the working class against the CPE (“First Job Contract”), which legalized contingent work for youth under the age of 26. On 8th March and 4th April, more than 3 million people demonstrated against the French government’s policy. Across Europe with more or less intensity, new generations of demonstrators realise the need for an alternative to neo-liberalism. 3) Preparing political alternatives As participants of the European Anti-Capitalist Left, we have participated in those social and union movements with all our strength. We favour the unity of all progressive forces against neo-liberal projects, be they launched by conservative, social-democrat or neo-liberal labour governments. Our goal is not only to resist the attacks on our rights, living conditions and our future, but also to help develop an alternative society founded on peace not war, on solidarity not competition, on equality not discrimination, on environment not pollution. It’s based on this programme of political, democratic and social breakthrough that we stand in elections. We reject racism, sexism, homophobia and all kinds of discrimination. We reject any compromises which would lead to capitalism being stabilised on the back of workers, youth, women and immigrants. 4) Against the role of Multinationals in Europe and in Latin America The legitimate nationalization of the oil and gas industry by the Bolivian government has met with an angry response from right-wing European governments and multinational corporations. It forces us, the parties and movements involved in the EACL, to support campaigns in defence of the rights of the Bolivian people and other oppressed peoples of Latin America to use their own natural resources as they want. This, we believe is, the main task of the anticapitalist left in Europe in the struggle against the transnationals in our own countries. 5) Against War and discrimination of immigrants Social struggles and the anti-war campaign are very closely linked. A new stage of imperialist war is on the horizon. The US government has declared its new aim of overthrowing the mullahs’ regime in Teheran. That means the dispute about nuclear power in Iran is central and the EU, in particular the British, French and German governments, are playing the role of a useful idiot in a murderous strategy which is no longer under their control. Anti-war mobilisation must return to the streets. Solidarity with the Palestinian people and the rejection of cynical European cessation of aid is an urgent necessity. The renewed peace movement is confronted with a brutal anti-immigrant and islamophobic campaign aimed at those sections of society which are most s 6) Towards a new social and political force across Europe The rejection of the European Constitution made the 450 million citizens aware that the fight against this Europe is a common fight. The Social Forum of Athens, which has just come to an end, leads the way towards this new Europe, thereby following on from the previous social forums. Enhanced by these new struggles, new experiences and new generations, it is up to us in the European Anti-Capitalist Left to deepen our cooperation and our links, beyond our different histories and cultures. We support the effort to build a new social, political and pluralist force across Europe able to overthrow neo-liberalism. This is the commitment we are making. Saint-Denis, the 19th of May 2006 Bloco de Esquerda (Portugal), Esquerra Unida i Alternativa, (Catalunya) Espacio Alternativo (Spain) Deutsche Kommunistische Partei (Germany) Ligue Communiste Révolutionnaire (France), Özgürlük Dayanisma Partisi (Turkey), Red/Green Alliance (Denmark), Respect (Great Britain), Scottish Socialist Party (Scottland), SolidaritéS (Switzerland) |
