“A radical rupture with the policies of the EU is needed” – by Neoklis SYlikiotis, member of the Politbureau of AKEL

AKEL ON 2014 EUROPEAN ELECTIONS 

19th April 2014

 

For AKEL, the upcoming European elections are not simply a matter of electing six people who will represent our country for the next five years in the European Parliament. They have a far greater importance, both for the present and the future of our country and people. That’s because they are being held ​​in a period when there are developments on the Cyprus problem and our people are experiencing the anti-peoples policies of the European Right and those function here in Cyprus as their representatives. Since March 2013 the Government of Nikos Anastasiades has agreed with the ruling forces of the European Union a Memorandum which imposes all those policies that the governing Democratic Rally party and its allies has for decades been trying to impose against workers and society in general.

But what is the objective socio – economic situation in the EU today?

– Unemployment, part time employment and precarious work are rising uncontrollably.

– One in four people is officially listed as in Poverty.

– The profits of large business groups however are at very high levels.

Public opinion is dissatisfied with the policies of the EU. This resentment is driving more and more people to abstain in the European elections and devalue the EU and its institutions.

As far as the balance of forces is concerned, power on the level of governments, the Council, the European Commission and the European Parliament is currently in the hands of the Right wing, conservative European People’s Party, but also with a section of Social Democrats. They have the primary responsibility both for the implementation of policies against the people and their interests, and for the clearly anti-democratic character of the decisions, but also for the deficit in the people’s participation in the democratic process.

The European Union, and in Cyprus too, two philosophies are clashing. On the one hand are the neoliberal policies implemented by the ruling political parties, that is to say the European People’s Party, the party of the Democratic Rally party, and the Social Democrats and on the other we have policies defended by the Left. The people are the ones who through their active participation will push for changes to the European Union. Therefore, the strengthening our struggle for another Europe, a Europe of democracy, solidarity, social justice, a Europe of the peoples cannot be won by abstaining, but through the peoples active participation in elections .

The issue is not more of the same neoliberal Europe leading to deadlocks and the reinforcement of the powerful interests and monopolies. On the contrary, the essence is to achieve a different path, which includes a strategic reorientation of priorities as a first step for the people’s interests. Cooperation is required to create the prospect of changing policies on crucial issues affecting workers, SME’s, young people, the overall course and orientation of the EU.

In the elections of 25th May Cypriots can with their vote send a message; a message of Resistance against those forces who imposed the devastating haircut on bank deposits and the Memorandum of austerity to the detriment of our people; a message of Dignity to those who think they can subdue our people with extortion and blackmail. AKEL does not accept any “gun to the peoples head” whatsoever as an excuse to impose decisions against our people or on the economy or on the Cyprus problem. Our people do not accept servility, submissiveness and blackmails. The Cypriot people will convey a message of the Vision for the liberation and reunification of our country and people; a message for a new path to promote development and growth, the welfare state and social cohesion.

We are deeply convinced that a different path is possible. The first step on that path is a radical rupture with the policies of the EU, with neoliberalism, with the militarization and concentration and centralization of power in the hands of the Directorate of the major powers.

An imperative condition for the change of course is the strengthening of the Left and the forces of progress.