Party of Labour of Austria to hold its 5th Congress in Vienna

The Party of Labour of Austria (Partei der Arbeit) will hold its 5th Congress on January 29, 2022 in Vienna. In a statement, the International Commission of the Central Committee of the Party stresses out the following:

"On 29 January 2022 we will hold the 5th Congress of the Party of Labour of Austria, which we have named as “Clarity and unity strengthen the party!”. We have chosen the slogan for the Party Congress because in the past period we have succeeded in taking important steps in clarifying questions about the history and orientation of the communist movement in Austria. The Party Congress is another important step for us in the reorganisation of the party's work.

Communist Party of Sweden on Chinese imperialism: Open response to the Communist Party of China

In the struggle between the United States and China for the leadership in the imperialist system, we see each side “dressing” the interests of its monopolies with the appropriate ideological cover. Last December, during the first ten days, the U.S. held the so-called “Summit for Democracy”, selectively calling representatives of 110 capitalist countries and excluding some of them, such as China and Russia.

China, on the other hand, prepared its own “response” with a statement drawn up by the Communist Party of China and signed by 355 political parties, social organizations and think tanks. The Communist Party of China has not released the full list of these parties/organizations. 

Kazakhstan's uprising isn't a “color revolution", says Aynur Kurmanov

The ongoing large popular mobilizations in Kazakhstan do not constitute a “color revolution” or another “Maidan”, says Aynur Kurmanov, co-chairman of the Socialist Movement of Kazakhstan.

Speaking at the YouTube channel of the Russian Communist Workers' Party (RCWP), Kurmanov made some interesting remarks concerning the situation in Kazakhstan. “The main body of today's protesters in Kazakhstan consists mainly of workers in the oil/natural gas, metallurgy, mining sectors, as well as from unemployed youth”, Kurmanov pointed out and underlined that the starting point of the demonstrations were the strikes of industrial workers. 

Communist Party of Mexico: Solidarity with the struggle of the workers of Kazakhstan

In a statement concerning the ongoing popular mobilizations in Kazakhstan, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Mexico (PCM) expresses solidarity to the struggle of the working class of the Central Asian country. 

More specifically, the CC of the PCM points out:

"The Communist Party of Mexico expresses its solidarity with the working class and the people of Kazakhstan in their just struggle against exploitation, oppression and excruciating misery. 

Spain: Communists slam government's Labor Reform

The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of the Workers of Spain (PCTE) has issued a statement making assessments for the so-called "Labour Reform" prepared by the social democratic government of Spain.

Read the statement below in both English and Spanish:

"The Reform passed by the Government, the trade unions, and the employers' unions, carries out component #23 of the so-called Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan, and it is an essential part of the Government's commitments to the European Commission in return for the NextGenerationEU funds. 

Statement by the Socialist Movement of Kazakhstan on the situation in the country

In a statement about the large-scale mobilizations and protests in the country, the Socialist Movement of Kazakhstan calls for international solidarity to the demonstrators and demands the withdrawal of troops from the cities, the resignation of all Nazarbayev officials, the release of all political prisoners and detainees, the legalization of the Communist Party and trade unions, as well as the nationalization of Kazakhstan's entire extractive and large-scale industry.

The statement reads: 

KKE in solidarity with workers' protests in Kazakhstan

Thirty years after the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the restoration of capitalism, Kazakhstan is in the midst of a large-scale uprising by thousands of people across the country. 

In Almaty police fired stun grenades and tear gas at a crowd of several thousand protesters, but were unable to stop them from storming the mayor's office, AFP reported. 

In a statement published in 902 portal, the International Relations Section of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) expresses its solidarity with the workers' mobilizations in Kazakhstan, demanding the release of all political prisoners and the legalization of the Socialist Movement and the Communist Party of Kazakhstan. 

Farewell to Greek militant communist Maria Sideri

Maria Sideri, an emblematic figure of the Greek communist movement, passed away at the age of 98. “With pride and respect we pay farewell to our comrade, Maria Demseri-Sideri who passed away full of days, having closed a long and full cycle or life, uninterrupted action and relentless struggles", underlines a statement issued by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE).

Maria Sideri was born in Kozani, northern Greece, in 1923. In 1943 she joined resistance youth organization EPON and took active part in all its activities against the Nazi occupation. Later she joined the KKE.

KKE: Solidarity with the people of Sudan

In a statement about the recent developments in Sudan the International Relations Section of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) points out:

"The KKE denounces the junta in Sudan that was imposed on 25/10/2021 and cost the lives of a total of 53 citizens. The Sudanese junta authorities continue the criminal practice against the people’s demonstrations by brutally repressing them. 

Kim Philby Remembered: A traitor to his class

Photo: rbth.com

Kim Philby, born on January 1st, 1912, is one of the best known double agents of the Cold War era. A man of affluent bourgeois background who decided to cut ties with his class and devote himself to the struggle of the working class by serving the Soviet Union secret services. In his homeland, Britain, he has been labeled as a “traitor”. But, in fact, just for “betraying” the interests of British imperialism, Philby should be regarded as a hero for the working class people.

“I have followed exactly the same line the whole of my adult life. The fight against fascism and the fight against imperialism were fundamentally the same fight”, Kim Philby was quoted as saying. 

63rd Anniversary of the Triumph of the Cuban Revolution

By Nikos Mottas

The Cuban Revolution inspired and continues to inspire the workers-people's struggles in all over the world, proving the vitality of the Marxist-Leninist worldview and the significance of proletarian internationalism. Figures such as Fidel Castro, Che Guevara, Camilo Cienfuegos, Vilma Espin, Fran Pais and others became eternal symbols of the revolutionary working class movement throughout the world.

Under the leadership of Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro Ruz and with the decisive contribution of the Soviet Union and other socialist states, Cuba achieved a number of extraordinary – unprecedented in Latin America - achievements in sectors such as Health, Education, Womens' Rights, Culture, Sports, etc. 

Shameful decision: European Court backs Romania’s refusal to register the Communist Party!

A spectre is haunting the “democratic” institutions of the European Union; the spectre of communism. On December 21st the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled that the 2014 decision of the Romanian authorities to refuse to register the Romanian Communist Party (RCP) was justified!

In its decision in the case of the “Organizing and Registration Committee of the Romanian Communist Party against Romania” (application no. 20401/15), the ECHR unanimously declared the application inadmissible. In fact, the European Court adopted the preposterous decision of the national courts of Romania according to which “the PCR program and status ignored democratic values and the country's socio-political evolution after 1989” and “allowed totalitarian (sic) and extremist actions that could undermine national security, posed dangers to democratic values”. 

30 years later, 63% of Russians regret the dissolution of the Soviet Union

Thirty years since the victory of the counterrevolution and the overthrow of socialism in the Soviet Union, the supposed "heaven" that capitalism would bring in Russia has been proved nothing more than a deception.

The deeply anti-worker policies of the bourgeois governments, from Boris Yeltsin to the current administration of Vladimir Putin, leads more and more Russians to consider what they lost after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Huge social achievements were abolished, the rich became richer and the poor became poorer, while the income for the working class families shrinks year by year. Capitalism has shown its real, repulsive, barbaric face to the working people of Russia. 

On the passing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu

South African Anglican Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, who died Sunday 26 December at the age of 90, was certainly an interesting and influential religious leader. 

He will be remembered for his active stance against the racist Apartheid, as well as for his reconciliatory role as the chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Nonetheless, despite his self-identification as a "socialist" and his criticism towards capitalism, the late Archbishop was a staunch anti-communist. In 1985 he stated that he hated Marxism-Leninism "with every fiber of his being", while he used to compare the socialist countries with far-right regimes, even Nazism! 

What does the elected president of Chile come to? Gabriel Boric and his election speech

By Gabriel Lazzari.

On last Sunday night, December 19, the votes for the second round of the Chilean presidential elections were counted. The dispute was between José Antonio Kast, from the Republican Party, defender and legatee of Pinochetism, and Gabriel Boric, from Convergencia Social, member of the Apruebo Dignidad coalition, former student leader who had great national political expression after the student riots of 2011. The campaign, carried out with the mobilization of various sectors and great participation of the Communist Party of Chile, reached its end with the election of Boric by 55,87% of valid votes. 

The Red Flag will rise again: 30 years since the dissolution of the Soviet Union

By Nikos Mottas.

It was thirty years ago, on December 26, 1991, when the red flag with the sickle and hammer was lowered from the Kremlin. 

It was then, during the cold days of December, when the first socialist state of the world, the homeland of the world's proletariat, bent under the weight of the counterrevolution. Four days before, on December 22nd, the leaderships of three of the largest Soviet republics had decided the dissolution of the USSR, while the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) had been outlawed on summer of the same year.

European Communist Initiative: On the establishment of the “European Army” and the dangerous imperialist plans

In a statement concerning the plans for the creation of a "European Army" and the dangerous sharpening of inter-imperialist competitions, the Secretariat of the Initiative of Communist and Workers' Parties stresses out the following:

We denounce the USA–NATO–EU imperialist plans that have been developed in the past period and lead to further sharpening of inter-imperialist competition, putting the peoples at great risk. The confrontation between the USA and China for world supremacy forms dangerous hotbeds in the Indo-Pacific and many other parts of the world.

Boric's triumph in Chile is not a victory for the working class

The following article was originally published in "El Machete", Organ of the CC of the Communist Party of Mexico (PCM), under the title "El triunfo de Boric en Chile no es una victoria para la clase obrera".

By Julio Cota.

The recent electoral victory of Gabriel Boric does not represent a root solution to the current economic and political crisis in Chile. Chilean workers and other popular strata must continue their frontal fight against any capitalist management or government. Maintaining high expectations of change or even settling for the least worst, is a trap for the Chilean working class, imposed by the monopolies and the bourgeoisie. 

Russia: Workers honored Stalin's 142nd birthday

Despite snow, the severe cold weather and the pandemic restrictions, hundreds of working men and women in Russia paid tribute to Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin on his 142nd birth anniversary on December 21. 

In many Russian cities, workers, members and cadres of Communist Parties, laid flowers to monuments dedicated to the Soviet leader, expressing their admiration and gratitude to Stalin despite the decades of anti-Soviet, anti-Stalinist propaganda. 

The stance of the KKE in the face of the 1990-91 overthrows in the USSR

Interview with Aleka Papariga, member of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), former General Secretary of the Party from 1991 to 2013, in "Rizospastis" concerning the stance of the KKE during the 1990-91 counterrevolutionary overthrows in the Soviet Union. 

The interview (here in Greek) was originally published in "Rizospastis" weekend edition (18-19 December 2021). English translation by Nikos Mottas.

— The bourgeois parties celebrated when the red flag was lowered from the Kremlin. What were their main declarations at that time?

Chile: Social democrat Gabriel Boric elected president

Gabriel Boric, the candidate of the social democratic coalition "Apruebo Dignidad", which is also supported by the Communist Party, prevailed on Sunday's second round of the presidential elections thus becoming Chile's youngest-ever president.

According to the final results, Gabriel Boric won 56 percent of the votes, compared with 44 percent for the candidate of the neoliberal coalition "Vamos por Chile", Jose Antonio Kast, an ultra-conservative lawyer who claims to be a political successor of fascist dictator Augusto Pinochet. 

Germany's social democratic icon Willy Brandt allegedly served as a U.S. agent

Willy Brandt (right) with John F. Kennedy in 1961.

Former German Chancellor Willy Brandt, an icon for Europe's social democracy, is believed to have been an informant for the U.S military intelligence Counter Intelligence Corps (CIC) for four years before he came to power in 1969-1974, according to Der Spiegel.

Brandt, who served as leader of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) from 1964 to 1987, provided intelligence to the CIC from 1948 to March 17, 1952, Der Spiegel has reported.

The magazine wrote that Brandt briefed the CIC about the activities of the FDJ, the youth wing of the German Democratic Republic (DDR) and the ruling Socialist Unity Party (SED).

Venezuela: Attacks against the Communist Party must stop!

In a joint statement more than 20 Communist and Workers' Parties from all over the world express solidarity to the Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV) and demand an end to the various attacks against the political and electoral rights of the PCV, ahead of the January 2022 elections. 

The statement titled "Solidarity with the PCV in the face of the attacks against its political and electoral rights" is the following:

USA: No more workers’ blood for the profits of the bosses!

More than 90 people were killed in several states across the U.S. after tornadoes and heavy rains hit the region. Among them are six employees at AMAZON warehouse in St. Louis, Illinois, were roof collapsed and eight workers at a candle factory in Kentucky. 

In a statement, the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) and its militant trade unions across the world pledge "to continue the struggle for all necessary measures to protect workers from natural disasters and extreme weather events, measures that the US do not take because they consider them as a “cost”.