German Communist Party's 23rd Congress held in Frankfurt: Köbele re-elected as chairman

Photo: Tom Brenner / Unsere Zeit.

From February 28 to March 1, 2020, the 23rd party conference of the German Communist Party (DKP) took place in Frankfurt/Main. 

Over 200 delegates welcomed more than 20 international guests and embassy representatives from Cuba, Laos, and Vietnam. Robert Griffiths, Chairman of the CP of Britain, Zisis Liberidis of the CP of Greece, and Ramón Ripoll Díaz, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba, addressed the Congress. From Germany, representatives of the peace movement, the East German board of trustees of associations, and the party “Die Linke” addressed the delegates.

Greek workers' movement stands in solidarity with refugees — Statement by PAME

In face of the latest developments with the refugee situation in the Greek-Turkish borders and the Aegean islands, the vanguard of Greece's class-oriented labour movement, the All-Workers Militant Front (PAME), issued the following statement:

The trapping of thousands of refugees and immigrants in the Aegean islands and the Greek-Turkish border in Evros, in the most dramatic way, highlights the barbarism of imperialist organizations, the EU and NATO and the active involvement of all Greek governments in these organizations.

Israel Election: Left-wing Israeli-Arab "Joint List" alliance achieves historic success

Joint List chairman Ayman Odeh (Hadash) declared yesterday (Tuesday, March 3) that the alliance of Hadash, Balad, Ta’al and Ra’am had realized a “huge achievement” in Monday’s Israeli general elections for the Knesset after nearly-final results suggested it won 15 seats in the 120-seat parliament. 

As the Communist Party of Israel reports, the election results showed that more than 530,000 voter, Arabs and Jews, cast their ballots for the Joint List.

Statement of the Political Bureau of the KKE on the refugee crisis in Greek-Turkish borders

On March 3, 2020, the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) issued a statement regarding the refugee situation in the Greek-Turkish borders and the measures announced by the government. You can read previous statements by the KKE about the issue here and here. 

The statement is the following:

The latest developments, with the entrapment of thousands of refugees and immigrants on the Aegean islands and at the Greek-Turkish border in Evros, confirm once again that the EU and NATO policy that the Greek governments have followed and are fervently adhering to now is, on the one hand, responsible for the dissolution of countries and the uprooting of peoples and on the other,  for the entrapment of uprooted peoples on islands and at borders. This policy has paved the way for Erdogan to try to impose his own objectives, using the refugee situation as a vehicle.

Hands Off the Communists of Poland: Protests across the world against persecutions in Poland

Protest at the Embassy of Poland in Athens. Source: 902.gr

With a protest at the Embassy of Poland in Athens, members of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and its youth wing KNE expressed their solidarity to the persecuted cadres of the Communist Party of Poland (KPP) and the editors of “Brzask” newspaper. 

With a banner reading “Hands Off The Communists Of Poland”, the KKE-KNE members gathered outside the Embassy, demanding the ending of the persecutions that the Polish authorities have unleashed against the country’s communists. KKE MEP Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos and Paschalis Kagiannis, member of the CC of KNE, met with the Embassy’s minister councillor Jolanta Wójcik-Niedzielska handing over to her a note of protest. 

Italy's Communist Party increases its power in Rome by-elections

Communist Party leader Marco Rizzo gained the 4th place in the supplementary elections that took place on Sunday in Rome’s Lazio 1 constituency. 

Rizzo received 2.62% of the votes, which is seven times higher than the percentage in the 2018 elections (0.37%), thus marking a successful electoral performance for the Communist Party (Partito Comunista), given the existing correlation of forces.

A message, written in Italian, at the Communist Party's official website reads: 

KKE slams Greek government: "Demonstrate your strength to EU and NATO, not to refugees"

Greek riot police forces behind the fences at Kastanies
border crossing, 29 February 2020 EPA/EFE.

After a meeting on Sunday chaired by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Greece’s Government Council on National Security (KYSEA) decided to step up the level of deterrence to the maximum point at the Greek-Turkish borders in Evros. 

The conservative ND government also decided to suspend new asylum applications, while the presence of army units and police forces across Kastanies border gates has been strengthened. Additionally, Athens has requested from EU border agency FRONTEX to provide additional aid in the protection of the borders.

Interview of the General Secretary of the KKE Dimitris Koutsoumbas in "New Worker"

On January 10th-12th, the General Secretary of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Dimitris Koutsoumbas visited London where he participated in various events, including visits to the Marx Memorial Library, Tate Modern, the British Museum and Karl Marx's tomb at Highgate Cemetery. He was also the major speaker in a political event regarding Science, Research and Technology organized by the KKE at the University of London. 

During his stay in London, the KKE General Secretary talked to Theo Russell, editor of the New Worker, the weekly paper of the New Communist Party of Britain, about the current situation in Greece: 

Refugee flows are a result of the interventions by US-NATO-EU and Turkey in Syria — KKE

During the last 48 hours, the tension in the Greek-Turkish borders in Evros has been escalated, with thousands of refugees and migrants gathering at Kastanies/Pazarkule border gate. “We will no longer keep the doors closed for refugees who want to go to Europe”, a senior Turkish official said as a response to the killing of 33 Turkish soldiers in Idlib Province, Syria. 

At the same time, the Greek government decided yesterday to suspend border crossing at Kastanies, sending additional riot police forces to the area. In a message, Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis wrote: “I want to be clear: no illegal entries into Greece will be tolerated”, announcing the increase of border security. 

"This war must be ended!": Turkey's Communist Party (TKP) reacts to the Idlib massacre

At least 33 Turkish soldiers were killed and 36 wounded in an airstrike in the Syrian province of Idlib, Turkish officials announced on February 27. The Turkish government has decided to open its southwestern border with Syria for the next 72 hours. 

On this occasion, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) has issued a statement on the war waged by Erdogan's government in Syria. 

Coronavirus in Greece: KKE urges government to take “all needed prevention measures”

Three confirmed cases of Covid-19 have been announced so far by the Greek Ministry of Health. The condition of all three cases infected by the new Coronavirus has been described as good and is being monitored by specialists. 

In a statement, the Health and Welfare Section of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) demands from the government to take all the needed measures for the prevention and treatment of the Covid-19 effects. 

Greek government's authoritarianism exceeded all limits: Police brutality hits Aegean islands

In the last two days, the Greek government has unleashed a brutal attack against protesters in the islands of the Aegean, particularly those that have been at the epicenter of the refugee-migrants issue during the last years. 

Demonstrators in Lesvos, Chios and Samos suffered excessive repression and violence by riot police forces as they demanded the end of the concentration camps. The local unions in Lesvos, Chios and Samos, have been in the front line demanding real measures of protection and assistance to the refugees, as well as support to the local communities, who witness their land turn into huge EU’s detention centers.

Dmitry Yazov, last Soviet Marshal who opposed the USSR dissolution, died at 95

Dmitry Yazov, the last appointed Marshal of the Soviet Union, died on Tuesday in Moscow after a long illness. He was 95 years old.

His career extends from the Siege of Leningrad to the formation of the State Committee on the State of Emergency (SCSE, GKChP) which tried to prevent the domination of the counterrevolutionary forces in 1991.

Born in 1924 in the Omsk oblast, Yazov enlisted in the Red Army in 1941 at age 17. During World War II he would be honored for his service on the Volkhov and Leningrad fronts, thus laying the groundwork for his ascension through the ranks of the Soviet military. He participated in the battles of the Siege of Leningrad, in the offensive operations of Soviet troops in the Baltic states, in the blockade of the Courland Pocket. 

Racist crime in Germany: Turkish communists blast bourgeois hypocrisy towards fascism

Some 10,000 people marched in the town of Hanau, Germany, on Sunday as a show of support for the nine victims of a fascist terror attack. The mourners came together to demonstrate solidarity after a man shot nine people dead in the town on Wednesday before apparently killing his mother and himself. 

The 43-year-old assailant, named Tobias R., left rambling texts and videos in which he advocated racist views, called for genocide and claimed to have been under surveillance since birth. 

KKE campaign to honor the 75th anniversary of the Anti-Fascist Victory of the People

On the occasion of the 75 years since the Anti-Fascist People’s Victory, the Party Organisations Abroad of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) organize a series of events that include visits in 75 anti-fascist memorials across Europe. The campaign is titled “1945-2020, 75 years of the Anti-Fascist Victory, 75 Anti-Fascist Memorials, Tribute to the People”.

As 902 portal reports “these events will give us the opportunity to honor the male and female fighters who sacrificed their lives throughout Europe, who were tortured, imprisoned and went into exile. To honor the decisive contribution of the USSR in the Anti-Fascist Victory as well as the undisputed superiority of socialism against capitalism”. 

Greek government's authoritarian attempt to criminalize demonstrations shall not pass

A new draft law, prepared by the conservative New Democracy (ND) government in Greece, threatens to restrict even further workers’ freedoms and rights. 

More specifically, according to information leaked through the pro-governmental newspaper “Kathimerini”, the draft law will include restrictions, prosecutions and even the prohibition of mobilizations, thus creating an environment of state and police repression against the organized workers’ movement. 

Trump not welcome in India: Anti-imperialist, left forces ready to protest during his visit

Indian PM Modi and U.S. President Trump (Archive Photo).

Democratic, peace-loving and anti-imperialist forces in India are ready to protest against U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit in the country on February 24-25. 

During a press conference last week, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Sitaram Yechury, said that his party will participate in demonstrations during Trump’s visit to the country. 

“May be in Delhi or in Gujarat, the party activists will certainly protest”, Yechury pointed out. 

Venezuela: STOP the persecution of communist trade unionists!

Oil industry trade unionists Yánez and Herrera.

On February 17th, the Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV) and the National Front of Working Class Struggle (FNLCT) issued a statement denouncing the acts of aggression, repression and police harassment against communist trade unionists in the oil industry. 

More specifically, trade unionists Dolores Herrera and Gustavo Yánez, members of the Oil workers union “Jesús Faría” (CCT-CV), were attacked in their own house by an armed group, being violently evicted and deprived of their personal belongings. 

Which characteristics will socialism have in the 21st century?

Makis Papadopoulos (Archive Photo).

The following text is the transcript of a speech delivered by Makis Papadopoulos, member of the Political Bureau of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), at the "Socialist Future and Planning Symposium" organized by Turkey's Academy of Science and Enlightenment (BAA) between December 6-8 in Ankara. 

Which characteristics will socialism have during the 21st century

By Makis Papadopoulos.

On behalf of the Central Committee of KKE, I would like to thank you for the honourable invitation and to congratulate you for the theme you chose for your conference, a theme which proves that your Party is constantly striving to play its role as a revolutionary vanguard.

Massive strike in Greece: Thousands took the streets against anti-Social Security reforms

Photo: 902.gr.

With powerful strike demonstrations in more than 60 cities across Greece the All-Workers Militant Front (PAME) and the class movement of the country gave a militant response to the government’s anti-people policy on Social Security and pensions. 

From midnight workers gathered in factories, labour places and production units to prevent possible strikebreaking efforts, while in Athens public transportation was stopped. 

Poland's right-wing government continues the repression against the Communist Party

The persecution against the Communist Party of Poland continues. The trial against the members of the editorial board of the party's newspaper "Brzask" is scheduled to restart. The first court session will be held on the 3rd of March. 

The trial continues for over 4 years despite the acquittal verdict of the court issued last year. The appeal of the prosecutor was a basis for restarting the trial. For the last 4 years, the prosecutors' office is directly subordinated to the government. This trial is a part of a campaign made by the state authorities to illegalize the Communist Party of Poland. 

STOP Defender 2020! Protesters marched in Munich against US-NATO-EU imperialists

Demonstrators in the streets of Munich. Photo: 902.gr.

A large anti-imperialist rally took place in the streets of Munich on Saturday where thousands of protesters gave a powerful response to the U.S-NATO-EU imperialist “hawks” participating at the 56th Munich Security Conference.

Under the slogan “Stop the DEFENDER 2020 exercise! Close down NATO bases in Ramstein, Incirlik, Souda and everywhere”, workers and immigrants, members and supporters of the Communist Parties of Greece (KKE) and Turkey (TKP), marched alongside their comrades from the German Communist Party (DKP). 

German Communist Party (DKP) to hold its 23rd Congress on February 28 to March 1

The city of Frankfurt will host the 23rd Congress of the German Communist Party (DKP), between February 28 and March 1, 2020. 

Under the title “Our battlefields as part of the anti-monopoly strategy”, the DKP leadership has published a draft proposal which consists the framework of the discussion for the 23rd Congress. During the previous months, a series of articles, opinions and views regarding the proposal were published in the weekly newspaper “Unsere Zeit”. 

KKE leader Dimitris Koutsoumbas blasts Greek government's anti-worker policy

“Capitalist development neither is nor can ever be development for all” said the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Dimitris Koutsoumbas during his speech in the Parliament on labour issues. 

Koutsoumbas fired against New Democracy government reforms saying that what Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis describes as “Greece of development and prosperity” has absolutely nothing to do with what the workers are experiencing.

Greece: Workers strike against the privatization plans of LARCO Metal Industry

On Tuesday, February 11 started a new strike in Greece’s LARCO Metal Industry. The workers of LARCO Industry went on strike against the announcements of the government to completely privatize LARCO, one of the biggest producers of nickel globally.

The Greek government announced its decision to impose complete privatization of the industry or shut it down. In both cases the victims will be the workers and their families.

Connolly Youth Movement on Irish Elections: The fight for a socialist Ireland continues

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald celebrates
with her supporters in Dublin on February 9, 2020.

The following article, published on the website of the Connolly Youth Movement (CYM) on February 10, provides a concise first assessment of the Irish elections results from a marxist-leninist viewpoint: 

The Meaning of 'Power' in a Post-GE2020 Ireland

As we make our way back to work or college this week, no new dawn falls on Ireland. It still holds dominion status to the interests of finance capitalism, vulture funds and an unregulated banking system backed up by an unregulated and unaccountable parliament.  

European Parliament: Communist MEP Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos slams U.S Mideast plan

Speaking at the Plenary of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) MEP Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos denounced the recent U.S plan for the Middle East and the Israeli-Palestinian issue.

For the same issue, the E.U High Commissioner on Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell characterized the plan as “positive” and a “starting point for negotiations”. 

EU migration policy turns Greek islands into prisons for refugees — Statement by KKE

The Press Bureau of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) sharply criticized New Democracy (ND) government’s legislative act which introduces requisition of land and facilities for migration purposes. 

Stelios Petsas, the governmental spokesperson, announced on Monday that the current administration will issue a Legislative Act by which the state will be able to proceed with the requisition of public and private properties where new migrant camps (hotspots) will be constructed.

Cuban revolutionary, Major General Efigenio Ameijeiras Delgado, died at 88

Cuban revolutionary, General Efigenio Ameijeiras Delgado, has died at the age of 88, Granma newspaper reported on Monday 10 February.

Efigenio was born on September 21, 1931, in Chaparra, Oriente Region, Cuba.

From an early age he identified with the youth of the July 26 Movement, actively participating in actions against the dictatorial regime of Fulgencio Batista. Following his persecution by the Batista regime he traveled to Mexico, where he joined the preparations of Fidel Castro's revolutionary group. 

PAME calls for strike on February 18th against ND government's Social Security reforms

A nationwide General Strike in both state and private sector has been announced by the All-Workers Militant Front (PAME) for February 18th, as a response to the anti-people reforms of the Greek government on Social Security and Pensions. 

In a statement addressed to workers, pensioners, farmers, self-employed people and students, PAME calls for mass participation in February 18th’s strike. 

“Social Security has to do with our lives. The unacceptable anti-Social Security draft law must be withdrawn!” is the headline of the call which reads:

International Anti-Imperialist Conference to be held on March 28-29 in Cyprus

The World Peace Council (WPC), the Cyprus Peace Council and the Coalition Against U.S. Military Bases organize an International Anti-Imperialist Conference which will be held on March 28-29, 2020 in Larnaca, Cyprus. 

The call for the Conference is the following:

Since the dismantling of the USSR and the Socialist Camp in Eastern Europe, and the emergence of the so-called “Unipolar World,” U.S. imperialism and its EU and NATO allies have embarked on a global project of “Full-Spectrum Dominance” with the objective of complete domination of the whole globe.

Ireland Elections: A Communist Viewpoint

Today, Saturday 8 February 2020, it's election day in Ireland. Voters are going to the polls after a tumultuous general election campaign. On this occasion we republish an article from the latest issue of Socialist Voice, the official newspaper of the Communist Party of Ireland. 

There are no shortcuts

by Eugene McCartan

Elections come and go; but there are no shortcuts for what our class needs to secure.

Deal of the Century? Communist and Workers' parties condemn Trump's plan on Palestine

Communist and Workers' Parties from across the world condemn the recently announced U.S. government's "peace plan" for the Middle East which has been described as the "Deal of the Century". 

The plan was presented by U.S. President Donald Trump during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on January 28th. 

KKE denounces the persecution against Chilean communist deputy Hugo Gutiérrez

Communist Party of Chile deputy Hugo Gutiérrez.

In a protest letter addressed to the Chilean Embassy in Athens, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) denounces the persecution of Hugo Gutiérrez, deputy of the Communist Party of Chile (PCC). 

The KKE letter, signed by Politburo member and MP Giorgos Marinos, expresses the Party’s condemnation of the anti-people policy of Sebastián Piñera and denounces the state repression against the recent huge mobilizations of the people of Chile. 

Greek-Turkish relations and the geopolitical competitions — Remarks by Eliseos Vagenas

The Sectoral Organization of Universities and Research of the Party Organization of Attica of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and the Regional Students Organization of Athens of the Communist Youth (KNE), in the afternoon of Tuesday the 28th of January, held an event on “The dangerous developments in the Greek-Turkish relations, in the throes of the geopolitical antagonisms and the anti-popular interests” at Panteion University.

Left parties in India call for nationwide protests against Modi government's policies

Five Left parties in India - CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML), AIFB and RSP - issued on February 4th a statement titled "Nationwide Protests Against Anti-People Budget February 12 to 18". The statement reads:

The Left parties will conduct a nationwide protest against the wide range of anti-people policies contained in this year's budget which will further squeeze the livelihood conditions of the vast majority of our people. The Modi government has destroyed the Indian economy, imposing unprecedented burdens on the people. At the same time, it has been giving concession after concession to the rich and the corporates, which has widened economic inequalities amongst our people to levels never seen ever before in independent India.

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:

Vietnam's Communist Party marks its 90th founding anniversary

Today, February 3, 2020, the entire Party, people and army of Vietnam proudly celebrate the 90th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam - the Party which was founded, led and trained by the great President Ho Chi Minh. 

Over the past 90 years, the Party has led the nation’s revolution to overcome all hardships and challenges and gain many victories, turning Vietnam from an unknown country on the world map into a nation with prestigious position in the international arena.

Transnistria: Solidarity with communist leader Oleg Khorzhan

In a statement issued on January 31st the Communist Party of Ukraine appeals to Communist and Workers' Parties to express their support with Oleg Khorzan, Communist Party leader in the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, who has been illegally detained and imprisoned by the authorities. 

The full statement of the Communist Party of Ukraine, in english and russian, is the following:

STOP THE ARBITRARINESS OF THE TRANSNISTRIAN REGIME!

FREEDOM TO COMMUNIST OLEG KHORZHAN - PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE!

KKE condemns the provocative racist rant of neo-Nazi MEP Lagos

The EU Parliament Group of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) condemns the racist rant of the Nazi MEP – former Golden Dawn MP – Yannis Lagos who ripped a copy of the Turkish flag during his speech in the EU Parliament. 

“This provocation is aimed against both the Greek and Turkish people and is linked to dirty plans that the nationalists always serve” writes a statement published on KKE’s 902 portal. 

Israeli Left and Peace groups denounce Trump-Netanyahu "deal of the century"

Israeli left alliance Hadash (Democratic Front for Peace and Equality), alongside peace movements, denounce the recently announced by U.S President Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu "peace plan" for Palestine. Read below a report including statements by Hadash leader Ayman Odeh and peace activists regarding the so-called "Deal of the Century":

Hadash together with Israeli peace movements will be holding a demonstration against US President Donald Trump’s “Deal of the Century” in Dizengoff Square in central Tel Aviv on Saturday evening, February 1, at 7 pm.