Greek Elections 2023: No anti-popular government is omnipotent when faced with a stronger KKE

On 29/5, the GS of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), Dimitris Koutsoumbas, spoke at a meeting attended by all the KKE candidates in Attica, Party cadres and other militants who joined forces with the Party in the elections. He called for a further strengthening of the KKE in the new parliamentary elections to be held on 25 June.  

“The optimistic message of these elections —without, of course, overlooking the overall negative correlation of forces— is the significant strengthening of the KKE, which won 7.23%, 427,000 votes, and 26 MPs, taking third place in Attica again, this time achieving  double-digit percentages in the working class–popular neighborhoods and an increase in all regions nationwide”, noted the GS of the CC of KKE.

KKE: STATEMENT OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON THE RESULTS OF THE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS OF 21 MAY 2023

STATEMENT OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE KKE

ON THE RESULTS OF THE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS OF 21 MAY 2023

1. The CC hails the thousands of KKE and KNE members, supporters, individuals who cooperate with the Party and voters who contributed to the electoral battle of the KKE.

We especially hail those who took the step for the first time, the young people who casted their first vote in favour of our Party.

Dimitris Koutsoumbas: The KKE can be the only true opposition to ND's anti-popular government

Only the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) can be a true opposition to the anti-popular policies of the New Democracy (ND) government, KKE General Secretary Dimitris Koutsoumbas said in an interview with the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA) published on Sunday.

"There is today but one dilemma: Either you give consent to the support of the government's anti-popular policies or you support the only true opposition from the point of view of working-class, popular interests," the General Secretary said, urging voters to further strengthen KKE in the upcoming elections on June 25.

KKE's strengthening in Greek parliamentary elections with 7.23%, 425,000 votes and 26 MPs is a positive step within a negative correlation of forces

With 99.7% of the votes counted in the elections of 21 May 2023, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) made a significant 2% increase, getting 7.23%, 425,795 votes (+126,000) and 26 MPs (+11 MPs).

The right-wing party of New Democracy (40.79%) prevailed in the elections, while the parties of the new social democracy, that is SYRIZA (20.07%) and MeRA25 (2.62%), which did not cross the 3% threshold, recorded a significant decline. The oldest party of social democracy, PASOK (11.46%), was strengthened, while the nationalist party Hellenic Solution (4.45%) was reelected. You can find the detailed results here: https://inter.kke.gr/en/articles/Significant-rise-of-the-KKE-a-hopeful-message-for-the-people/

KKE gains more than 7% in parliamentary elections, almost doubles its MPs in Parliament - #greekelections

The parliamentary elections of May 21 sent a very hopeful message for Greece's working class, as the Communist Party (KKE) came out significantly strengthened, by gaining 40% more voters in relation to 2019 elections.

More specifically, the KKE gains 7.23% (from 5.3% in 2019) and 425,646 votes.  

The Party also increases its MPs, from 15 to 26.  

The results:

Dimitris Koutsoumbas: The KKE keeps its arms open to progressive people, leftists who refuse to compromise

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) "keeps its arms open to progressive people, leftists who refuse to compromise" with the systemic 'swamp', Party Secretary General Dimitris Koutsoumbas told "Efimerida ton Syntakton" (Efsyn) newspaper in an interview published on Saturday.

Referring to the May 21 parliamentary elections, he said that "there are many responding to our invitation, and many honest people who have joined our ballots, former deputies, Eurodeputies, and officials and members of SYRIZA, ANTARSYA and LAE," naming the main opposition party and other leftist parties.

The KKE will not take part in anti-popular government, says Party Secretary Koutsoumbas

"The KKE won't participate in any anti-popular government", clarifies the Party's leader ahead of the Greek Parliamentary Elections of 21 May 2023. 

 

Excerpts from the interview of Dimitris Koutsoumbas, General Secretary of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), to "Proto Thema" newspaper:

What does the term “left” mean today?

The truth is that it is a term that has been abused by many people over time, both in Greece and internationally.

KKE: Resolution of the Central Committee on the political developments and the upcoming elections

Resolution by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) on the political developments and the upcoming electoral battle:

1. The Central Committee of the KKE met and agreed on the Party’s programme of action for the following period, based on the political and economic developments and with a view to the upcoming battle of the parliamentary elections.

It approved the main body of the Party’s candidates in the parliamentary, regional and municipal elections and elaborated key issues concerning the content of the political call in view of the election battles. 

KKE: On the warmongering resolution supported by ND, SYRIZA and PASOK in the European Parliament

At a time when the imperialist war in Ukraine is dangerously escalating, the European Parliament adopted a resolution (07/10/2022) that literally constitutes a warmongering frenzy. Among other things, it ratifies and endorses the decision of the EU and member states to “increase military aid to Ukraine”, calls for the establishment of “a mechanism for military aid through leasing and lending to Ukraine”, and calls for coordination between governments even in regard to arms deliveries to Ukraine.

KKE leader Koutsoumbas blasts PM Mitsotakis on Greece's involvement in Ukraine war

The government of the right-wing ND party with the support of the other bourgeois parties of the social-democratic “left” SYRIZA and the also social-democratic KINAL/PASOK proceeds with the deeper involvement of Greece in the ongoing imperialist war in Ukraine, always on the side of the USA–NATO–EU. This was apparent in the discussion between the leaders of the political parties in the Plenary Session of the Parliament on 1 March 2022.

In his speech, Dimitris Koutsoumbas, GS of the CC of the KKE, stressed, among other things, the following:

Greece: KKE slams Mitsotakis government's criminal handing of the pandemic

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) has sharply criticised the policy of New Democracy government over Covid-19 pandemic, including the low vaccination rate and the dramatic situation in the public Health System.

In a comment issued on Thursday, the Press Bureau of the CC of the KKE points out:

“Instead of pointing their finger, the government and the Minister of Health should answer the critical questions:  

Greek Parliament approves monstrous anti-labour bill — "The people will have the last word" says KKE leader

Thousands of people demonstrated on Wednesday June 16th in Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras and other big cities denouncing the monstrous omnibus labor law that abolishes the 8-hour working day and attacks trade union rights.

Large strike demonstrations took place in Syntagma Square, downtown Athens, in the morning of Wednesday, as well as in the afternoon, during the voting of the omnibus bill in the Parliament. 

Nationwide strike in Greece: Massive protests against the monstrous labour draft law

With massive demonstrations in Athens, Thessaloniki and other cities across Greece, thousands of people sent today a militant message to the government, demanding the immediate repealing of the monstrous draft bill which, among other things, provides the abolition of the 8-hour working day. 

The Unions have declared Thursday 10 June a 24-hour nationwide strike, as a protest against the governmental draft bill which aims to take the labour conditions back to the Middle Ages.  

Protests in Greece: Hands Off the 8-Hour Working Day!

With mass rallies in Athens, Thessaloniki and other major Greek cities on Thursday, thousands of working class people expressed their strong opposition to the government's anti-labour draft law.

Under the slogan “the monstrous draft law must be abolished – hands off the 8-hour working day”, a large demonstration took place in downtown Athens, being the prelude of the nationwide strike that will be held on June 10th. 

Large KKE rallies in Greece sent militant message of struggle

A powerful and militant message against the anti-labour policies of the government was sent by thousands of people who participated in the political rallies organized by the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) in Athens, Thessaloniki and other major cities on Thusrday afternoon.

In Athens' Syntagma Square, thousands of workers, men and women, self-employed and unemployed people, young students and pensioners, joined their voices against the monstrous anti-labour draft law prepared by the conservative ND government. Dimitris Koutsoumbas, the General Secretary of the CC of the KKE, delivered a speech, sending the message: “We refuse to become slaves in the 21st century! The monstrous anti-labour law must not be submitted!”. 

Greece protests: "Give money for Health and Education, not for repression and terrorism"

With large demonstrations in Athens, Thessaloniki and other major Greek cities on Wednesday evening, thousands of workers, students, pensioners, young men and women sent a militant message of struggle against the escalation of authoritarianism and repression by the conservative New Democracy (ND) government.

Shouting slogans such as “Riot police, violence, authoritarianism, this is capitalism” and “Give money for Health and Education, not for repression and terrorism”, the protesters demanded substantial protection and strengthening of the public health system against the policy that leaves the working people unprotected in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Interview of the General Secretary of the KKE Dimitris Koutsoumbas in "Kontra News" newspaper

Dimitris Koutsoumbas, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), gave an interview in the Sunday edition (14 March 2021) of "Kontra News" newspaper. 

The communist leader refers to the current political situation in Greece, the policy of New Democracy (ND) government during the Pandemic, Greece's Left political forces and the stance of the KKE. 

 Below, you can read a translated version of the interview:

Greek Police brutally beat passer-by in Athens: KKE, PAME condemn government's policy of repression

Just two weeks after the brutal crackdown of a student's protest in Thessaloniki's Aristotle University, Greek Police is once again making headlines for its repressive and violent activity. 

 

Despite the effort of the conservative New Democracy government and Minister of Citizen Protection Chrysochoidis to attribute this activity to “isolated incidents”, it is evident that police aggression is part of the governmental policy and goes hand by hand with the implementation of the anti-worker, anti-people agenda. 

 

From "heroes" to "villains"... Greek government persecutes healthcare unionists for their political activity

A year before, Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and members of his government were praising doctors, the “health heroes” as they called them, for their fight against the Coronavirus pandemic. The government had even urged the people to show their appreciation to the country's healthcare workers by applauding them from their balconies. 

Greek government escalates oppression, intimidation and prosecutions against the workers struggles

Statement by the All-Workers Militant Front (PAME) concerning the latest anti-people, anti-worker policies initiated, amidst the pandemic, by the conservative New Democracy (ND) government:

 “…Because for me,the most surprising,
the most imposing, the most mysterious and grandiose
Is a man not allowed to walk;
A man who’s being shackled”

- Nazim Hikmet.

With the “demonstrations’ management” plan, the Greek government is running to prevent the popular anger and outrage that is piling up and growing.