150 years since the Paris Commune — Abstract from Karl Marx's "The Civil War in France"

Today, 18 March 2021, marks the 150th anniversary of the heroic Paris Commune, the first time in the history of mankind when the state power passed, albeit for a short time, into the hands of the proletariat, the most pioneering and only revolutionary class of capitalist society. 

The Commune founded by the workers of Paris lived for only 72 days. However its historic importance was enormous. Nothing after the Paris Commune would be the same for the working class, nor for the bourgeoisie which, from then on, would be forced to live with the nightmare of a revolution overthrowing its dominance.

On the occasion of the 150 years since the Commune de Paris, we publish two chapters from Karl Marx's work "The Civil War in France" (1871) which refer to the historical events of the then period. 

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.

Young Communist League of Britain (YCL): Statement on the murder of Sarah Everard and violence against women

The Young Communist League of Britain (YCL) issued a statement in response to the tragic and reprehensible abduction and murder of 33-year-old Sarah Everard by a police officer. 

 

The statement reads:

The news this week that Wayne Couzens currently serving as a Metropolitan Police Officer, has been arrested and charged in connection with the murder of Sarah Everard in London, is a horrific demonstration of the persistent levels of gendered violence against women and girls in Britain and the seismic shifts that must be fought for and won to achieve women’s liberation and equality.

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:

Philippine Communist Party (PKP-1930) condemns killings of non-combatant activists by police forces

In a statement about the killing of nine people by security forces, during raids against suspected rebels in four provinces, the Philippine Communist Party (PKP-1930) stresses out:

News reports about the killing last Sunday (March 7) of 9 unarmed local leaders of mass organizations in 4 provinces south of Metropolitan Manila, have again placed the Philippines among the top concerns of the Office of the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights. That the victims represented organizations identified by government as supporters of the maoist insurgency, does not detract from the fact that they were not combatants themselves, and that the search warrants issued by distant Manila courts and served through dawn raids by police-military composite teams have not resulted in the seizure of reported guns and grenades in the places where the victims were killed.

Portuguese Communist Party celebrated 100th anniversary — Full speech by General Secretary Jerónimo de Sousa

The Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) celebrated its 100th anniversary on Saturday with a message of struggle and devotion to the continued fight for freedom, justice and socialism.  

 

Addressing hundreds of Communist Party members and supporters, who were carrying party flags and carnations - the symbol of the 1974 Revolution - General Secretary Jerónimo de Sousa honored the "generations of communists who are an example of selfless devotion to the just cause they embraced".  

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. 

 

Rosa Luxemburg's 150th birth anniversary: Greek, Turkish and German communists honored her legacy

Workers, immigrants, members and friends of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) who live and work in Germany honored the 150th birth anniversary of the legendary communist revolutionary Rosa Luxemburg, 902 portal has reported. 

In Berlin, members and friends of the KKE and its youth wing, KNE, deposited flowers in the place where her lifeless body was thrown by the paramilitaries of social democrat Gustav Noske in January 1919. The event in memory of Rosa Luxembourg was also attended by representatives of the German Communist Party and the Communist Party of Turkey.

International Women's Day 2021 — Statement by the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU)

On the occasion of the 2021 International Women's Day on March 8th, the Secretariat of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) issued the following statement:

Women’s equal rights in health and safety at work and in society

The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), the oldest trade union international representing 105 million workers in 133 countries on the five continents, offers a warm internationalist greeting to the working woman, the female trade unionist, the female militant of each country and continent on this International Working Women’s Day, March 8, 2021.

Cuba's Communist Party prepares for its VIII Congress

The Eighth Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) will be held on April 16-19, 2021 in Havana.

This Thursday, March 4, in strict compliance with established sanitary protocols, plenary sessions of Party Provincial Committees will be held, during which the delegation from each province to the Eighth Congress will be elected.

Last February, the Political Bureau analyzed and reaffirmed the scheduling of the Congress. During these first months of 2021, a broad, democratic process of election of the pre-candidates for delegate to the Congress took place in grassroots branches, from which thousands of valuable proposals emerged.

Communist Party of Venezuela's 90th anniversary celebrated

Under the slogan "History belongs to us", the Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV), the political vanguard of the Venezuelan working class, commemorated its 90th anniversary on Friday 5 March 2021. 

 

The Party was founded in Caracas on 5 March 1931 as a clandestine organization during the repressive military dictatorship of Juan Vicente Gomez. The foundation of the PCV emerged as a historical necessity, for the organization and guidance of the working people's struggle in Venezuela. 

KKE condemns Iraqi government's repression and violence against protesters

In a statement issued today, Wedneday 3 March 2021, the International Relations Section of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) condemns the recent murderous attack of Iraqi government's security forces against protesters.

 

The KKE also expresses its solidarity with the working class and the people of the Middle Eastern country. More specifically the statement reads:

EU Commission justifies Slovakian government's monstrous anti-communist law

In a written question submitted on November 2020 the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) MEP Kostas Papadakis asked the EU Commission to provide its opinion concerning the new despicable anti-communist law of Slovakia's coalition government that characterizes the Slovakian Communist Party as a “criminal and reprehensible organization”. 

 

In her response, the Vice President of the EU Commission Vera Jourová provocatively turns a blind eye to the anti-communist legislation of Slovakia that aims to criminalize communist ideology and the activity of the communists. 

Portuguese Communist Party marks its 100th anniversary

The Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) is carrying out a vast programme of initiatives under the motto «1921-2021 - Centenary of the Portuguese Communist Party - Freedom, Democracy, Socialism - The future has a Party».

As part of the celebrations, the PCP will hold a wide range of initiatives from March 1 to 6 all over the country, marking its heroic history of 100 years of struggle and affirming its project for the future.

India: More than a million people attended a rally of the Communist Party (Marxist) and its allies in Kolkata

A sea of people gathered in the city of Kolkata earlier today during a massive rally organized by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and left allied forces. The rally, one of the largest political gatherings of the last years, was held at Kolkata's Brigade Parade Ground which is the city's largest open ground. 

The huge rally comes just prior to the West Bengal assembly polls, sending a strong message to both the governing BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) and TMC (All India Trinamool Congress).  

Contro il governo Draghi — Communist Party of Italy held nationwide protests against Draghi government

Hundreds of members and supporters of the Communist Party, Italy (Partito Comunista) participated yesterday, Saturday 27th February, in nationwide protests against the government of Mario Draghi. From Rome's San Silvestro square to Piazza Castello in Turin, the communists sent a strong message of struggle, reaffirming their strategic aim of social alliance against the pro-capitalist, closely affiliated with EU and NATO,  policies of the new government. 

Protests were held in numerous cities, including Milan, Florence, Genova, Napoli, Palermo, Reggio Calabria, Terni and elsewhere,

Turkey's communists filed complaint against Erdogan for the torture of protesters at Bogazici University

The Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) filed complaints against President Erdogan, the minister of interior Süleyman Soylu and his spokesperson, fascist party leader Bahçeli, and the police that tortured the protesters during Bogazici resistance.

Turkish police detained 159 students on the 1st of February, trying to prevent the protests against the newly appointed pro-AKP president of the Bogazici University. The protests at Bogazici University started right after Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan appointed the new rector on January 2 and continued with the participation of students, university staff, and citizens. Protests spread nationwide and further reactions from the right-wing politicians continue to come.

KKE condemns U.S. air strikes in Syria: Those who cultivated expectations about the Biden presidency are exposed

U.S. President Joe Biden ordered on Thursday the launching of air strikes against buildings in eastern Syria that the Pentagon said were used by “Iranian-backed militias”, in retaliation for rocket attacks on American targets in Iraq. According to the London-based “Syrian Observatory for Human Rights”, at least 22 people have been killed by the strikes.

U.S. Pentagon press secretary John Kirby portrayed the bombing in Syria as “carefully calibrated” calling it “proportionate” and “defensive”. 

“Since the time of Perestroika we have been freezing": 85-year-old Russian woman lived without heating for 30 years

Her name is Vera Pavlova and she is 85 years old. She survived the Siege of Leningrad in 1942, overpassing the difficulties of the Second World War, but the restoration of capitalism in the Soviet Union reserved a devastating surprise for her: She lived without heating for 30 years!

Pavlova's apartment is on a five-story building which stands on the shore of the bay next to a Soviet shipyard in Feodosia, Crimea. After the victory of the counterrevolution in the beginning of 1990s, the plant and the boiler house that provided heating to the workers' houses, was closed. 

Australia: Greek communist immigrants condemn Senate's despicable anti-communist resolution

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) friends' organizations in Sydney and Melbourne strongly condemn the despicable resolution adopted by the Australian Senate that seeks to equate communism with and monster of fascism.

In the statement published on 902 portal, the ΚΚΕ Friends Organizations denounce the Australian Labour Party (ALP) and the Liberal Party for “cutting and sewing” in order to “turn History upside down and bring it to their anti-communist measures”. Alongside the two major parties were three “independent” senators and the far-right “National” party. 

Russian communists honored the Red Army anniversary

Despite the freezing temperatures and the restrictions due to the pandemic, hundreds of workers, young men and women, members and supporters of Russian Communist Parties and Communist Youth organizations honored the Day of the heroic Red Army on February 23rd.

In Moscow, people with red banners gathered at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near the Kremlin Wall where they laid flowers in memory and honor of the Soviet Red Army's legendary fighters. The event was attended by a delegation of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF) headed by the its Chairman Gennady Zyuganov. 

Greek Police violently attacks university students' protest

Once again Greek riot police used excessive violence against protesters, attacking a peaceful student's demonstration at Thessaloniki's Aristotle University. 

The students were protesting for their right to free education and against the new law which aims to permit police presence in university campuses. 

On the orders of Aristotle University's rector, riot police forces intervened by using chemicals and other crowd dispersal methods, while more than 30 students were arrested. In a video published on YouTube, police officers appear violently dragging a student with his head being on the pavement. 

Italian USB trade union slams the new Draghi government

The Italian trade union USB (Unione Sindacale di Base) has released a statement condemning the formation of the new government under the leadership of former banker Mario Draghi. 

The USB statement reads:

The national coordinations of the categories of the Unione Sindacale di Base met on Saturday 13 February 2021. This is the note unanimously approved.

A YEAR OF CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC — JOINT STATEMENT BY COMMUNIST AND WORKERS' PARTIES

A year after the outbreak of the Coronavirus Pandemic, Communist and Workers' Parties from all over the world issued a statement assessing the current situation and pledge to continue the struggle for public, free and universal healthcare services, as well as for protection of the workers-people's democratic rights. 

 

The statement, among others, underline the fact that the pandemic has highlighted the necessity of Socialism which can put the contemporary scientific and technological potential at the service of the people's needs. 

The full statement is as follows:

KKE: Solidarity with the people and the communists of India!

In a statement issued today, Wednesday 17 February, the Press Bureau of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) denounces the policy of the Modi government in India and expresses its militant solidarity to the people and the communists of the country. 

More specifically, the statement reads:

The KKE expresses its militant solidarity with the struggle of the workers, the poor farmers and the youth of India for their rights and the fulfillment of their contemporary needs regarding work, health, education, and life, which are crushed by the capitalist mode of production.

American neo-Nazi thug Robert Rundo expelled from Serbia

On Thursday 11 February, the anti-fascist movement of Serbia and particularly the League of Communist Youth of Yugoslavia (SKOJ) achieved an important victory, as the country's authorities finally expelled American neo-Nazi Robert Rundo.

SKOJ had launched a campaign for the expulsion of Rundo, a U.S. citizen well known for his neo-Nazi, racist and xenophobic attitudes. Among others, Rundo is a convicted member of a New York gang, the founder of white supremacist-racist organization "Rise Above Movement" (RAM) and financier of fascist groups in Serbia. 

Free and safe vaccination must be ensured for all people! — Statement by the European Communist Initiative

In a statement the Secretariat of the European Communist Initiative demands free and safe vaccination for all the people of the world. The Initiative condemns the anti-vaccine rationality and unscientific theories, pointing out that the capitalist profit and monopolistic competition criteria, which delay the supply of necessary anti-Covid 19 vaccines, have become obstacles to the people in Europe and the world.

Australian Senate equates communism with fascism!

A despicable motion, which equalizes communism with fascism and right-wing extremism, was adopted by the Australian Senate earlier this month. 

 

Under the responsibility of both the two major political forces, the right-wing “Coalition” (Liberal Party, National Party) and the social democratic Australian Labor Party (ALP), the unhistorical and unscientific theory of the “two extremes” has officially entered Australian politics. 

Joint Statement: Slander and threats against the Communist Party of Venezuela are unacceptable

More than 40 Communist and Workers' Parties sign a joint statement denouncing the attempt by Venezuela's governing party PSUV and President Maduro to politically marginalize and undermine the Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV). 

Read here a PCV statement issued earlier this month.

More specifically, the joint statement reads:

Slander and threats against the Communist Party of Venezuela are unacceptable 

PCTE: 100 years after the foundation of the Communist Party of Spain (PCE)

Statement of the Central Committee of the PCTE on the Centenary of the Foundation of the PCE (SEIC):

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Workers of Spain (PCTE) addresses to all the workers from our country in the start of 2021 – 100 years after the foundation of the Communist Party of Spain (PCE) as the Spanish Section of the Communist International (SEIC) – and conveys the following statement.

CNN's big anti-communist lies

One of the most popular theories in modern anti-communism is the so-called “two extremes theory”; a dangerous and unhistorical ideological fabrication that tries to equate communism with the monsters of nazism-fascism. Recently, guided by this theory, CNN tried to equate the struggles of American communists in the mid-20th century with the far-right Trump supporters who stormed the Capitol last January!

Concerning CNN's anti-communist lies, Tony Pecinovsky writes in “People's World”:

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. 

Iraqi Communist Party condemns the cowardly armed attack on the party office in Najaf

Concerning the recent armed attack against its offices in the city of Najaf, the Political Bureau of the Iraqi Communist Party has issued the following statement:

This morning (Friday, 5th February), the office of our Iraqi Communist Party in the city of Najaf was subjected to a treacherous and cowardly armed attack, which caused a fire and material damage, without causing any casualties.

German Communist Party reiterates solidarity towards Cuba

A few days ago, under the pretext of "political rights" and "democracy", the German social democratic party Die Linke adopted a despicable resolution in support of counterrevolutionaties in Cuba. 

 

Contrary to Die Linke, the German Communist Party (DKP) issued a statement clearly reiterating its firm solidarity and support towards Cuba. 

The statement reads:

"Recently, especially in Germany, there have been more and more statements from the ranks of left forces who think they can make "clever" proposals to the people, the government and the Communist Party in Cuba for a change in Cuba's policy. The Left Party (Die Linke) calls for dialogue with the so-called opposition in Cuba. 

"President Maduro, the real dilemma is whether you are with the working class or with the capitalists" — PCV Statement

In a very interesting statement published on Tribuna Popular, the Political Bureau of the CC of the Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV) refers to some critical issues concerning the political direction and stance of Nicolas Maduro's social democratic government. 

The full statement is the following:

With foundations in its ideological, political and organisational autonomy and independence, the Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV) is committed to confronting US-European imperialist aggression. It is also committed to confronting the economic, labour and agricultural policies which President Nicolas Maduro has been applying in favour of Capital and landowners.

Short documentary: The working class struggles in Greece during 2020 (English Subs)

 

Myanmar coup: The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) condemns coup d'etat, calls workers and people to resist

In a statement about the recent military coup in Myanmar, the Secretariat of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) points out the following:

The World Federation of Trade Union, on behalf of its 105 million workers who live, work and struggle in 130 countries of the 5 continents, strongly condemns the coup d’etat that is carried out in Myanmar by the armed forces of the country. Myanmar army declared a one-year state of emergency and detained several government leaders including Aung San Suu Kyi.

Germany's Die Linke party adopts anti-Cuban resolution

A recent decision of the German Die Linke party confirms what is already known: the role of social democracy as a timeless instrument of imperialism and an enemy of the working people. At its last meeting, the Party's executive committee decided to adopt a hostile position towards Cuba by declaring its support for the counter-revolutionary group known as “San Isidro Movement”.

According to Neues Deutschland newspaper, Die Linke - a leading member of the Party of the European Left - adopted with a majority of 90% a resolution about the “democratization of Cuban society”, with which it expresses solidarity with the so-called “dissidents”. Under the pretext of “human rights”, Die Linke's social democrats advocate in favor of the US-backed counter-revolutionary efforts in Cuba. 

Communist Party of Turkey: The Coronavirus pandemic is yet another evidence of the historical collapse of capitalism

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) has released a political report focusing on COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on Turkey's working class, examining the policies of Tayyip Erdogan's government.

"The coronavirus pandemic, which has affected the whole world since the first months of last year, not only showed once again how devastating capitalism is as a social system but also showed the extent of its desperation. From this point of view, the pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus cannot be seen as a health problem alone,” the report said. 

Nguyen Phu Trong re-elected as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam

Nguyen Phu Trong has been re-elected as General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee in the 13th tenure at the first plenum of the 13th Party Central Committee.

The first plenum of the 13th Party Central Committee also elected an 18-member Politburo in Hanoi on January 31.

The 13th Party Central Committee’s Secretariat includes some Politburo members and five others elected at the first plenum of the 13th Party Central Committee.

Pablo Neruda — Song of Love to Stalingrad (1942)

Pablo Neruda, the emblematic communist Chilean poet and diplomat — one of the 20th century's most influential Latin American cultural figures — was significantly inspired by the heroism of the Soviet people in the Second World War. He was particularly impressed by the brave struggle of the defenders of Stalingrad in a battle that played a decisive role in the outcome of the war. 

In 1942, Pablo Neruda wrote the "Song of Love to Stalingrad" (Canto de Amor a Stalingrado), praising the bravery of the Red Army and the Soviet people. What follows is a English translation of this extroardinary poem:

The 21st Congress of the KKE to be held in 2021

The first text of the theses of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) are published in this weekend's (30-31 January 2021) edition of "Rizospastis", under the title: "The Report and Conclusions of the action of the CC and the Party as a whole from the 20th to the 21st Congress - The Party as the guide of the revolutionary labour movement, the social alliance, in the struggle for socialism-communism". 

Greek-Turkish relations are entangled in wider imperialist competition and plans

Eliseos Vagenas, member of the CC and head of the section of International Relations of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) was interviewed by soL news concerning the new round of exploratory talks between Turkey and Greece. The full interview is the following:

The AKP government has made almost a U-turn regarding the relations with the EU, and Erdoğan has totally changed his hostile attitude towards some European leaders. As the people of Turkey, we are very much used to these radical maneuvers of the Erdoğan government. But how was this move interpreted in Greece?

Joe Biden the Imperialist: "I pressed Clinton to begin air strikes against Serbia”

 By Nikos Mottas.

Joe Biden is officially the 46th President of the United States. Bourgeois media affiliated with the Democratic Party and various “progressive” voices, in the U.S. as well as in Europe, have been engaged in an campaign to present the Biden administration as a factor of “positive changes” in the international political affairs.

Mr Biden is not new in politics. On the contrary, he has been a U.S. Senator from 1973 to 2009 and U.S. Vice President from 2009 to 2017. Since the beginning of the 1990s and the victory of counterrevolutions in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, Senator Biden has been a proponent of the interventionist imperialist policy of the United States. The last three decades are full of examples where the U.S. and their NATO-EU allies initiated imperialist wars under the pretexts of “democracy” and “human rights”.