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.

KKE: Greek government's 2021 state budget is a "monument of unpopularity"

The 2021 state budget submitted by the conservative New Democracy (ND) government is a "monument of unpopularity against the working people", said the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Dimitris Koutsoumbas during a speech in the Parliament. 

Koutsoumbas strongly denounced the policies of the government during the pandemic, adding that the measures announced aim at strengthening the capital at the expense of the workers and people's rights. The KKE General Secretary pointed out that ND, opposition party SYRIZA and all the other bourgeois parties in the parliament are "strategically aligned" in the same policy, despite minor differences. 

EU's stance is a 'green light' for Turkish aggression: Statement by KKE General Secretary Dimitris Koutsoumbas

The outcome of the recent EU Council and its failure to adopt sanctions against Turkey was sharply criticized by the Communist Party of Greece (KKE). After hours of decisions, the EU leaders proceeded to the usual verbal condemnations of Ankara's aggression in Eastern Mediterranean but deferred decisions on trade tariffs or arms embargo until they have consultations with the US President-elect Joe Biden and his administration. 

In Athens, the General Secretary of the CC of the KKE Dimitris Koutsoumbas made the following statement:

Greece: New orgy of governmental authoritarianism and police repression — Statement by KKE leader Dimitris Koutsoumbas

Almost 20 days after the brutal attack of Greek police against a peaceful KKE rally on November 17th, another orgy of police repression and violence took place earlier today in Athens, on the 12th anniversary of the murder of 15 year-old Alexis Grigoropoulos by a special police officer. 

Grigoropoulos had been murdered by special police officer Epaminondas Korkoneas on December 6, 2008. Korkoneas had been convicted to life sentense. However, in 2019, a court reduced his term to just 13 years and, on the basis of the new legal code introduced by the then SYRIZA government, he was ultimately released from prison on July 2019! 

Workers in Greece go on strike on November 26th: Statement by the All-Workers Militant Front (PAME)

While Greece is in the midst of Covid-19 pandemic crisis, with a nationwide lockdown imposed, the conservative government of New Democracy (ND) escalates the policies of authoritarianism and anti-labor measures. 

 

The government not only failed to protect the country from the second wave of the pandemic, but follows a policy that focuses on the protection of business groups' profitability rather than the health of the working people. 

On Thursday 26th of November, the country's workers respond to the anti-labor, anti-people policy of the government by organizing a nationwide strike. In statement, the All-Workers Militant Front (PAME) points out:

Solidarity with the KKE — Communist and Workers' Parties denounce Greek government's authoritarianism

Yesterday, on the 47th anniversary of the Polytechnic Uprising, the rally of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) was violenty attacked by riot police forces in the center of Athens.

A few days ago the conservative New Democracy (ND) government, escalating authoritarianism and repression, banned anti-imperialist demonstrations and any gathering of more than three people across the country, on the pretext that the march would be a health 'time bomb' due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The KKE performed its rally, in an organized way and observing all the necessary social distancing measures. But the police, on the orders of the government, unleashed an unprovoked attack with batons, tear gas, water cannons and stun grenades. The police did not hesitate to attack KKE MPs, while also injuring protesters and proceeding to dozens of arrests.

On this occasion, numerous Communist Parties express their solidarity and support to the KKE.

Greece: Brutal and unprovoked attack of riot police against KKE demonstration (VIDEO)

Earlier today Greek riot police forces unleashed an unprovoked and brutal attack against a peaceful demonstration organized in Athens by the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) in honor of the 47th anniversary of the Polytechnic uprising. 

Police forces tried to disperse the demonstration by using excessive violence and tear gas and proceeded to the arrest of a few protestors. 

According to information published by 902 portal, the General Secretary of the KKE Dimitris Koutsoumbas, as well as Party MPs who were on the spot, protested to police officers demanding the release of those arrested. 

47 years since the Athens Polytechnic Uprising — KKE blasts Greek government's ban on public gatherings

The 17th of November marks the 47th anniversary since the Athens Polytechnic uprising of students against Greece's military dictatorship. Recently, under the pretext of Covid-19 pandemic, government authoritarianism has escalated by banning this year's anti-imperialist march on the U.S. embassy, which is organized every year on 17/11 to commemorate the anniversary of the uprising. 

Trade unions and mass people's organizations have made clear that the anti-imperialist march on Tuesday, November 17 will take place by observing all health protection measures, as it happened on May Day. 

Lockdown capitalist policies! KKE slams Greek government's handling of the pandemic

Since November 7th Greece has entered a second nationwide lockdown, following a decision by the conservative New Democracy (ND) government. The lockdown is accompanied by tough penalties for violations of the quarantine and non-observance of social distancing. 

Alongside the lockdown, as the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) mentions, the government has committed crimes against the people's health and safety in order to serve the interests of the capital in a number of industry branches. 

Statement of the KKE on US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visit to Greece

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is due to visit Greece on September 28-30. 

According to the State Department’s official press statement, “Secretary Pompeo will meet with Prime Minister Mitsotakis and Foreign Minister Dendias to renew our shared commitment to advance security, peace, and prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean and celebrate the strongest U.S.-Greek relationship in decades. In Thessaloniki, the Secretary will sign a bilateral science and technology agreement, as well as host energy sector business leaders for a discussion to highlight energy diversification and infrastructure projects in Greece.  In Crete, the Secretary will visit Naval Support Activity Souda Bay to underscore the strong U.S. security partnership with NATO Ally Greece.”

Communist Party of Greece: Statement of the CC on national and international developments

Statement by the Central Committee of the KKE on national and international developments

1. The Central Committee of the KKE met on Monday, September 7, 2020, and examined the tasks and actions of the Party and the KNE under these complex and difficult conditions for the people, formed by the course of international and national developments. These developments are defined by:

The further escalation of the intra-imperialist competitions in the Eastern Mediterranean region, which include the contradictions of the bourgeois classes of Greece and Turkey and the escalation of Turkish aggression.

The course and outbreak of the pandemic in our country and internationally, the tragic situation in public health systems, the consequences of the pandemic on the life and the rights of the working class and the popular strata, as a result of anti-popular policies and measures.

KKE: NATO promotes dangerous settlements in East Mediterranean, fosters Turkey's aggression

In a statement issued today, the Press Bureau of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) comments on the announcement made by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg that he had brokered a Greek-Turkish agreement to begin 'technical talks' on "establishing deconfliction mechanisms" in the Eastern Mediterranean. 

The statement of the KKE is as follows: