Interview of the General Secretary of the KKE Dimitris Koutsoumbas in "EfSyn" newspaper

Dimitris Koutsoumbas, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), gave a comprehensive interview in the weekend edition (1-2 February) of the "Efimerida ton Syntakton" (EfSyn) newspaper. 

The KKE leader refered to various interesting issues, including Greece's domestic political matters, the country's relations with neighboring Turkey, the sinful role of social democracy and the stance of the KKE towards cooperation governments. 

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

KKE General Secretary Dimitris Koutsoumbas pays tribute to Karl Marx

Dimitris Koutsoumbas, the General Secretary of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), concluded his three-day stay in London with a visit at Highgate Cemetery where the grave of Karl Marx is located. 

Accompanied by numerous members of the KKE and its youth wing KNE, Dimitris Koutsoumbas laid a wreath on the grave on behalf of the Party. With their fists raised the attendees shouted slogans such as "KKE, the people's party" and "A century of struggles and sacrifices, the KKE in the vanguard".

Marx Memorial Library — an oasis of education, ideas and history in the heart of London

Dimitris Koutsoumbas at the Marx Memorial Library.

“We are actually in an oasis, here in the heart of London, an oasis of knowledge, education, learning, ideas, history, memory about issues which mainly the young generation, the working class in general, in Britain, Europe and the whole world, must learn. Because the ideas of Marx, Lenin, Engels, of all the great revolutionaries of humanity, are alive and relevant. They are relevant today, until we reach the overthrow of the rotten capitalist system and build a new, really socialist society”.

The above statement was made by Dimitris Koutsoumbas, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), after his visit at the Marx Memorial Library on Friday, January 10th. 

THE OBSTACLE IS THE SORCERER: Article by Dimitris Koutsoumbas

The General Secretary of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), Dimitris Koutsoumbas, wrote an article which was published on the weekend edition of "Ta Nea" newspaper (4-5 January) under the title "The obstacle is the... sorcerer". Below you can read the article translated into english:

By Dimitris Koutsoumbas. 

“Modern bourgeois society with its relations of production, of exchange and of property, a society that has conjured up such gigantic means of production and of exchange, is like the sorcerer who is no longer able to control the powers of the nether world whom he has called up by his spells”*.

Dimitris Koutsoumbas, General Secretary of the KKE, to visit London

Dimitris Koutsoumbas, the General Secretary of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), will visit London on January 10th-12th. 

According to 902 portal, the programme of the visit is the following:

On Friday 10 January, the General Secretary will visit the Karl Marx Memorial Library (37A Clerkenwell Green, Farringdon), the Soviet War Memorial (Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park, Lambeth Road) and the Tate Modern Gallery where the painting of Peter de Francia "The execution of Beloyannis" is on display. In the afternoon he will visit the British Museum.

Greece: Thousands demonstrated against the governmental budget-"guillotine"

Under the slogan "No to the budget-guillotine! Struggle for the people's contemporary needs" thousands of workers, students and pensioners demonstrated in Athens and other Greek cities, expressing their opposition with the anti-people state budget submitted by the conservative New Democracy government. 

After a call by the All-Workers Militant Front (PAME), the protesters gathered at Propylea and marched towards the Parliament where the debate on state budget will conclude tonight with a roll-call vote. 

European Communist Meeting: Speech by the KKE General Secretary Dimitris Koutsoumbas

Dimitris Koutsoumbas, the General Secretary of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), was the major speaker at the European Communist Meeting which took place on December 9th in Brussels. 

The subject of the Meeting was "The communist and workers parties of Europe against the anti-communism, falsification of history by the EU and its governments, for the regroupment of the labour movement as a necessary precondition in the struggle for the overthrow of capitalist barbarity, for socialism".

Dimitris Koutsoumbas: "USA-NATO-EU do not protect Greece's sovereign rights"

“The doctrine which says that if Greece is the good child of NATO, USA, EU will, supposedly, protect its sovereign rights has been completely, demonstrably and historically bankrupt” said the General Secretary of the CC of the KKE Dimitris Koutsoumbas during his speech at the Greek Parliament on Wednesday.

Speaking at the Parliament's Plenary regarding the voting rights of Greeks abroad, Koutsoumbas accussed both the New Democracy government, as well as the bourgeois parties of the opposition, that they are all committed to the doctrine of Greece's participation in the imperialist alliances of NATO and the EU. The KKE leader blamed the other political forces that pose a fake dilemma to the Greek people which is “either regression towards Turkey or conflict and military involvement”. This dilemma has been highlighted once again these days due to the “unacceptable agreement between Turkey and Libya”.

Greece: "Hands Off Social Security" — Large demonstrations held in Athens and other cities

"Hands Off Social Security Rights", that was the message that thousands of working men and women, pensioners, self-employed people, students sent during a large demonstration held earlier today in downtown Athens. 

The protests were organized by Trade Unions, Labour Centers and Pensioner's Associations. Among the speakers were Dimos Koumpouris, President of the Pensioner's Federation, Giorgos Stefanakis, President of the Trade Union of Catering-Tourism-Hotels of Attica and Dimitris Vitalis, member of the Federation of Craft Industry Unions of Athens. 

D. Koutsoumbas: "Solidarity to the heroic people of Cuba who fight to defend their homeland"

Three years have passed since the death of Fidel Castro on November 25, 2016. On this occasion, the memory and political legacy of the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution was honored on Saturday afternoon, during an event organized by "New Star cinema" in Athens, Greece.

Speeches about the life and polical activity of Fidel were delivered by the Ambassador of Cuba in Greece Zelmys Maria Dominguez Cortina and the Professor of Contemporary History at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Giorgos Margaritis. 

21st International Meeting of Communist and Workers' Parties: The opening speeches by Dimitris Koutsoumbas and Kemal Okuyan

The 21st International Meeting of Communist and Workers' Parties (IMCWP) kicked off today, Friday 18 October, in Izmir, with the participation of 75 Parties from 61 countries. 

The hosting Parties are the Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) and the Communist Party of Greece (KKE). The meeting takes place between 18 and 20 of October.

Below, you can read the full transcripts of the opening speeches delivered by the General Secretaries Dimitris Koutsoumbas and Kemal Okuyan.

"We will never forget you": Greek communists paid tribute to the exiled heroes of Gyaros

"We never forget you. Glory and honor to the heroes of Gyaros". This was the major slogan of an extroardinary event that took place on Saturday 12 October in Gyaros, an unpopulated small Greek island in the Aegean Sea. 

The event, which was organized by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), included speeches as well as the unveiling of a monument, dedicated to the thousands of communists and leftist political dissidents who were exiled or imprisoned in Gyaros from 1948 until 1974. 

Greece: Thousands joined PAME strike rallies against government's anti-workers measures

Thousands of workers took part in today’s strike and strike demonstrations organized by the All-Workers Militant Front (PAME) in Greece's major cities against the anti-workers’ measures of the government.

From the central strike rally in Athens, the militant Greek trade unions expressed their solidarity with the workers of France, who suffer the same attack on their working rights and lives and who also were on strike on the same day. 

KNE-Odigitis festival in Athens: Awe-inspiring political event addressed by D. Koutsoumbas

A speech by the General Secretary of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Dimitris Koutsoumbas on Saturday evening marked the end of the three-day events of the 45th KNE-Odigitis festival in Athens. 

In a awe-inspiring political gathering, which attracted thousands of people of every age, Koutsoumbas sent a message of political resistance and counterattack, stressing out that "with our struggles, our dreams, our power, we can build a free world, open and full of hope, socialism". 

KKE-KNE pay farewell to popular songwriter and singer Lavrentis Macheritsas

"Another one great songwriter saddenly passed away, leaving us with the richness of his work", points out a statement of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) for the death of popular rock singer and songwriter Lavrentis Macheritsas. 

The KKE statement continues: "Like all these years, from his beginning until the time he "left", he accompanied us with his music and songs and he will continue accompany us in our small and great moments. Grandson of the executed - in April 1948 - militant Lavrentis Macheritsas from Volos, he was dynamically participating in the movement, with his music being his weapon. We will always remember his participation in the Festivals of KNE. In the electoral battles of our Party, with his support statements as well as his active participation, such as in 2006 when he was elected city councillor at the Municipality of Athens with the KKE's list". 

Thessaloniki Int'l Fair: Thousands joined PAME rally, sent powerful message to ND government

Thousands of workers, unemployed and self-employed people, farmers, women, students and pensioners participated in the large demonstration on Saturday afternoon, organized by the All-Workers Militant Front (PAME) in Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city. 

The protest was organized on the inauguration day of the city's 84th International Trade Fair by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Koutsoumbas to ND government: "Unfortunately for you, the KKE stands against your policies"

KKE General Secretary Dimitris Koutsoumbas (right) and 
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Speaking at Greece's Parliament during the new government's policy statements and discussion over confidence vote, the General Secretary of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Dimitris Koutsoumbas unleashed a political attack against both the newly-elected conservative government of New Democracy (ND), as well as against the social democratic major opposition of SYRIZA.

Regarding New Democracy's government policy statements, Koutsoumbas said that these were already known from the pre-electoral period, adding that even the EU Commission had prepared her recommendations for Greece even before the formation of the government on July 8th. 

Thousands of young communists participated in the 28th anti-imperialist camp of KNE

KKE General Secretary Dimitris Koutsoumbas in
the political event in Karpenisi.

Thousands young men and women from every corner of Greece gathered between 12 and 14 of July, in Karpenisi, in Evrytania, in order to participate in the 28th anti-imperialist camp organized by the Communist Youth of Greece (KNE). 

The base for the camp was Kefalovriso, 3 km from the city of Karpenisi, a place which took its fame from the battle of August 1823 between the Greek revolutionaries and the Ottomans. 

Greece elections: Statement of the General Secretary of the KKE Dimitris Koutsoumbas

Statement of the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Dimitris Koutsoumbas shortly after the announcement of the result of the July 7th parliamentary elections:

"We thank all those who voted for the KKE and especially those who took the step for the first time. In addition we thank those who cooperated with the KKE in this election battle, participated in its lists, even if in the past they belonged to other political currents, continuing the similar mobilization that occurred also during the European elections. We salute the thousands of members, cadres, friends of the Party and KNE who gave their best to strengthen the KKE.

SYRIZA paved the way to New Democracy — Dimitris Koutsoumbas

KKE General Secretary Dimitris Koutsoumbas.

"The right-wing and conservative policy of SYRIZA's government paved the way to New Democracy and PASOK, it purified and resurrected them", said Dimitris Koutsoumbas, the General Secretary of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), in his interview to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency, three days before the July 7th parliamentary elections.

Koutsoumbas points out "the leadership of SYRIZA has been recorded as a "sellout" to the unjust system, to Trump and the EU Commission" and adds that many people who did not submit themselves to the system draw conclusions and support the KKE.