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 condemns Greek Premier Mitsotakis over his support to Venezuelan coup leader Guaidó

In a statement published in 902 portal, the Press Bureau of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) condemns Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' expressed support to U.S-backed Venezuelan coup plotter Juan Guaido. Mitsotakis met with Guaido on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The KKE statement reads:

KKE: The Berlin Conference on Libya is not a process for the benefit of the Libyan people

On the occasion of the International Conference on Libya that is taking place in Berlin and the discussion about Greece's non-participation in it, the Press Bureau of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) issued a statement which was published on 902 portal. 

The statement of the KKE reads the following: 

Communist Party of Greece: Statement about Mitsotakis-Trump meeting in Washington DC

In a statement issued today, the Press Bureau of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) labels yesterday's meeting between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and U.S. President Donald Trump in the White House an "official and resounding bankruptcy of the policy of the parties of Euro-Atlanticism". 

More specifically, the statement which published on 902 portal, points out the following: 

EastMed pipeline deal only brings new dangers for the people — Statement by the KKE

The EastMed pipeline deal signed between Greece, Cyprus and Israel "only brings new dangers for the people" points out the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) in a statement issued earlier today. 

The KKE highlights the fact that the agreement over the gas pipeline, which was signed in Athens by Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Cyprus' President Nikos Anastasiades, has no relation with the actual interests of the region's peoples but on the contrary it consists part of the imperialist plans in East Mediterranean. 

More specifically, in the statement which was published on 902 portal, the KKE stresses out the following:

Netanyahu is unwelcome in Greece — PAME

In a statement issued today, the All-Workers Militant Front (PAME) denounces the policy of  New Democracy (ND) government which strengthens Greece's ties with Israel, refering to the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Athens on January 2nd. Netanyahu visit's main purpose is for the signing of the agreement on the East Med pipeline. 

More specifically the PAME statement points out:

“For the profits of the big energy monopolies that have bloodshed the whole of the Middle East, the ND government continues its “friendship” policy with the state of Israel that is killing the Palestinian people daily, stealing Palestinian land with settlements, killing and imprisoning even small children.

The Greek people have nothing positive to gain from monopoly competitions. The “stability” of the Eastern Mediterranean, the government proclaims, are watered with the blood of Palestinian children.

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. 

KKE slams EU's Pontius Pilate stance on Turkey-Libya maritime agreement

Reports by international media on Thursday state that the EU Council had reached a draft of its statement that the agreement reached by Turkey and Libya on their maritime borders violates international law. From its side, the Greek government and more specifically Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis have tried to present the EU position as a diplomatic victory for Greece. 

“Turkey is isolated,” Mitsotakis said after receiving the overwhelming support of his EU peers for Greece’s opposition to the memorandum of understanding Turkey signed with the Tripoli-based Libyan government last month. He also cited support for Greece’s positions from other countries, including the United States and Israel.

KKE: "NATO's 70-year course has been marked by imperialist wars, interventions, threats and coups"

On the occasion of NATO Summit in London (3-4 December), the Press Office of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) issued a statement which was published on 902 portal. 

The statement reads:

"The NATO Summit in London considers the further strengthening of the aggressive planning of the wolf-pack alliance against the people. It accelerates the implementation of the decisions of previous Summits for the creation of ground, air and naval military units, preparing for new imperialist wars. It takes additional steps in the competition with Russia and China. Moreover, the NATO Summit considers the even bigger increase of military spending, while Greece is already paying 4.3 billion per year for (military) equipment intended for NATO needs. 

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. 

KKE slams Mitsotakis government's measures for the refugee-migration issue

In a statement published on 902 portal, the Press Bureau of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) comments on the recent measures announced by the right-wing government of New Democracy (ND) regarding the refugee-migration issue. 

"The measures announced by the ND government for the refugee issue strengthen even further the entrapment and repression to asylum seekers, as well as the suffering of the local Greek population. They cultivate and fuel racism and xenophobic reactions. They are dangerous measures for both the refugees and the Greek people" points out the statement. 

KKE slams Greek Defense Minister's abhorrent and provocative remarks

In a statement regarding the declarations of Minister of National Defense Nikos Panagiotopoulos, who on Thursday, inaugurating the Conference on Ground Forces at the Evelpidon Military School, reassured the commander of the United States Army Europe, Lieutenant-General Chr. Cavoli that “we will shed our blood and in the future, at the side of the USA”, the Press Bureau of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) noted the following:

STATEMENT OF KKE: "No to the renewal of the Greece-USA Agreement on Military Bases; No to the visit of Mike Pompeo in Greece"

NO TO THE RENEWAL OF THE GREECE-USA AGREEMENT ON MILITARY BASES

NO TO THE VISIT OF THE U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE M. POMPEO

Statement by the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the KKE.

The KKE calls on workers, the people and the youth to rise against the visit of the US Secretary of State, M. Pompeo, and above all against the conversion of Greece into a vast US-NATO base. This is also the content of the “Strategic Dialogue” with the US, initiated by the former SYRIZA government in Phase I and enhanced by the ND government with the current Phase II.

Greece: Massive nationwide strike against ND government's anti-worker measures

The class trade unions of Greece, thousands of workers from all sectors responded to the call of the All-Workers Militant Front (PAME) and held a new massive National General Strike on the 2nd of October against the measures of New Democracy government that attack wages, Collective Agreements, trade union rights and freedoms and the right to strike.

Since early morning, across Greece and in every sector, the trade unions and Federations fought for the success of the strike with militant picket lines outside of factories, banks and other workplaces.

Human tragedy in Greece's Moria refugee camp — Statement by the KKE

A woman from Afghanistan and her child are the victims of the fire that broke out in a container in the refugee camp of Moria on the Greek island of Lesvos on Sunday afternoon. 

The State-run news agency AMNA reports that the body of the woman was transferred to the hospital in the city of Mytilene with a private car, while it was the refugees who retrieved the body of the child.

KKE comment on Mitsotakis' visit in New York

Commenting on the recent visit of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in New York within the context of the 74th United Nations General Assembly, the Press Office of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) pointed out the following:

"Despite the effort of the government to present in a positive way the visit of the Prime Minister in New York and his meeting with President Erdogan, the raw truth for the people's interests is in the opposite direction. 

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. 

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. 

Greece: Anti-communist MP elected Parliament Speaker with SYRIZA, MERA25 backing

ND MP and Parliament Speaker Kostas Tasoulas.

With a record 283 votes New Democracy's (ND) veteran MP and former Culture and Sports Minister, Konstantinos Tasoulas, was elected earlier today as the new Speaker of the Greek Parliament. 

A long-time MP for the district of Ioannina, Tasoulas was approved by New Democracy, main opposition SYRIZA, centre-left Movement for Change (KINAL/PASOK), the far-right Greek Solution and Varoufakis' MERA25. 

KKE: The new EU Commission will continue the anti-people strategy in favor of the monopolies

KKE MEP Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos (left) and the new EU
Commission boss Ursula von der Leyen.

Germany's Ursula von der Leyen has been narrowly elected president of the EU Commission following a secret ballot among MEPs. 

The former defence minister of Merkel's government will replace Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on 1 November. She secured the backing of more than half of the members of the European parliament on Tuesday evening.

"It is a big responsibility and my work starts now," von der Leyen said in her first speech immediately after the vote and added. "Let us work together constructively."