AKEL ON PLENUM OF THE C.C. OF AKEL

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 27th November 2013, Nicosia

 

The plenary session of the C.C. of AKEL convened yesterday to discuss the political context within which the forthcoming European Parliament elections in May 2014 will be held. The start of the debate on the European elections is the beginning of a long process which will culminate in the preparation and discussion of AKEL’s policy positions, the tactics AKEL will follow on the path of the elections and the procedure of nominating candidate MEP’s, as set out in the party statutes.

 

The discussion in the plenary session of the C.C. of AKEL revolved around issues relating to the nature and philosophy of today’s European Union and its repercussions in Cyprus and on the Cypriot people. Ten years have passed since the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU and six years since Cyprus joined the Eurozone. AKEL supported the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU on grounds relating to the Cyprus problem, but without having any illusions whatsoever about the character and policies of the European Union on the socio- economic issues. From 2004 onwards AKEL voted against all those EU Directives in the European Parliament that determine the framework which in the name of the European Union created and is increasing till this today today poverty, social inequality and economic austerity to the detriment of entire peoples. The events of last March have exposed this framework even more clearly to the Cypriot people compared to previously. The unjust decisions of the EU against Cyprus and the imposition of the specific Memorandum confirms, unfortunately, our own arguments and positions that we need to struggle for a radical reorientation of the EU; a struggle is needed to protect and assert the interests of Cypriot workers and our people.

 

AKEL faithful to its character and to the struggle for the continuous defending our people’s rights, for freedom, social justice, progress and prosperity, will continue its creative intervention in the EU. As AKEL we do not limit ourselves to criticising the policies expressed by the ruling circles of the EU, but we also propose the alternative path of struggle and the assertion of a different approach to national, social and economic issues affecting our people today.