(en) France, Coordination of Anarchist Groups - Libertarian
resistance 1 - Greece: beyond the exit eu ... out of capitalism! (fr,
it, pt) [machine translation]
Adding last minute (11/07/2015): at a time when we complete this Resistors number
Libertarians, it seems that the Greek government is about to sign an agreement setting
almost verbatim the proposals of the Troika . If confirmed, this is a new austerity
looming for the Greek people, the working classes are already on the verge or completely
destitute. This new situation do more valid analysis contained in the following article,
written before these ads. Only a social movement of magnitude on the left side of the
government, can allow to hope for a new twist and most joyous prospects for the Greek
people. If Tsipras government seems now return his jacket and betray the results of its
own referendum, this is proof that it is only by directly taking our own affairs that we
can hope to head out of the water in which the bourgeoisie, states and supranational
institutions would like to see as we drown. One solution: revolution!
The information reaching us from Greece contradict one after the other, day after day and
even hour by hour. Sometimes Tsipras, Greek Prime Minister seems about to reach an
agreement with the murderers - sorry, they say "creditors" in capitalist Europe of banks
and finance - the Greek people, sometimes Merkel and Juncker or Holland or appear
intractable Valls: "It is necessary that the Greek people is bleeding the last remaining
euros it! What, he can not! Or, cut him infusion then, we'll see if it continues to moan!
"Definitely, the Troika is not the doctor who will treat Greece in its current crisis, it
is only the executioner and the vulture gorge themselves round the corpse. But try to see
more clearly in this social intrigue, politics and geopolitics behind all this.
A rollback is needed
End 2007. A speculative bubble explodes on the US market. It could be just a financial
crisis like the micro-sector knows very regularly but this is not the case. The variable
interest rate on home loans soar. Many and many are those who can not pay and are forced
to mortgage their property. Many find themselves on the street, to the banks. The real
estate market collapses and causes him several investment banks such as Lehman Brothers.
Magic World domino economy in one year, all markets are found contaminated. A first State
intervention save some banks by bailing them. But meanwhile, the so-called financial
crisis "subprime" extends to all areas by a decline in confidence and consumption. It then
becomes an economic crisis that, inevitably, the key priority classes. In countries
engines of the global economy, it is particularly women, undocumented migrants and
immigrants and, more broadly, all those who were in precarious positions (without
contracts, short contracts, temporary, etc.) and / or part time who are most impacted.
Reserve army of capitalism - economists say, politely, "adjustment variable" - these
categories are carted habitually where patrons need them. But the economic downturn has
increased the relocations and closures boxes (including: Conti, PSA, Freescale ...),
bosses and shareholders doing everything to keep their profits and dividends. This is
where the crisis is social.
However, in this context, there is less money for the state revenue (tax) and Liberal
hegemonic power in governments in Europe and North America, while advocates of austerity
cures: reduction wages, increased working hours, extending the contribution period for
pensions, lower benefits and redistribution (pensions, unemployment insurance, utilities).
Wherever was applied, especially in France, we have seen: it solves nothing, it does makes
things worse for the working classes. And thus curbing consumption, less money goes into
the state coffers (via the very unequal VAT) and austerity is self-sustaining ... Far from
being a face remedy to the crisis, the austerity imposed by the liberalism that maintain
and worse. This is actually an ideological and practical offensive bourgeoisies and
employers to increase their profits by decreasing wages, direct and indirect, of tou you
workers.
The example of Greece is obvious. Taking as a pretext the exceptional debt of Greece,
therefore disproportionate and unsustainable investments the Athens Olympics in 2004,
corruption and clientelism and especially largesse made by successive governments to
owners, ship owners and the Church Orthodox, the financial sector (rating agencies,
investment banks) target the country and increases the rate of its loans. Consequence: the
Greek debt flies and a first vicious circle is set up. When the country is on the brink of
bankruptcy in 2009, the Troika (IMF, ECB, EU) involved: it lends money to countries in
exchange for extremely violent austerity plans. But we have seen with the previous scheme
solves nothing austerity, it only gets worse the problem.
Syriza in the contradictions of power
The Greek · that · s soon realized that the austerity imposed upon them actually meant.
But it took just over five years for a party presenting itself as an alternative to this
destructive logic manages to gain power. This delay is explained in large part by the
fierce resistance of the dominant classes and the persistence of a strong patronage system
established by the governments of the right (New Democracy) and the "left" social-liberal
(PASOK) . Furthermore, these governments have claimed themselves as single solution to the
impressive rise of neo-fascist Golden Dawn party. Even, of course, that it is only the sad
consequence of the crisis and austerity.
But back to Syriza. The coalition, led notably by the former Communist Party of Interior
(as opposed to the PC in exile during the civil wars, the "KKE", which has since kept a
very Stalinist line) includes many parties and groups of the left radical. At the mere
electoral alliance of circumstance basis, the coalition has gradually incorporated as a
party as and when it progresses at the polls. This is what makes its strength and
fragility at the same time. Indeed, quoiqu'officiellement pro-European, the party has a
large minority on the left (around 40%) which is favorable to the release of the euro and
the EU which is very influential in the activist networks and social movements. Meanwhile,
the official line was softened to go glean the few votes needed for accession to the
parliamentary majority and thus to power. It is this big gap between voters / voters
disappointed PASOK and militant base (sometimes) very radical and very anti-European who
offered the power to Syriza. But the thread that connects them is so tight that it
threatens to yield to every opportunity. The internal stability of the party and, even
more, the coalition government (with the sovereigntist and reactionary right) is insecure.
Tsipras and his ministerial colleagues are doing everything to satisfy both their
electoral right and militant left, hence the feeling sometimes that this government
navigates view. In the first weeks of Syriza to power, when Tspiras signed an emergency
agreement with the Troika renewing much of the austerity measures, the influential Manolis
Glezos1 had requested "the Greek people[the] forgiveness for having contributed to this
illusion. " 2
The consequences of the international referendum
It is largely this popular pressure on his left explaining the gesture of the Greek
government to refuse to pay its debts to the IMF in June and to organize a referendum
early July. The analyzes focus only on personality issues within the government are wrong.
And the result of the referendum shows the good: the working class in Greece extensively
and radically refuse the austerity measures that subjected them to successive governments
for 6 years and, behind them, the troika of leaders. Yet all major media, as Greek
European, had strongly attacked the Greek government, taxed as "irresponsible" and even
the Greek bosses have conducted heavy pressure on their employees in favor of the "yes" 3.
Since the day after the ballot, Monday, July 6, it is "unknown" feared by all ruling
classes of Europe, François Hollande in the lead. Yet it is this stranger who may be a
hope for the working class in Europe, beginning with those of Greece.
If Tsipras and Varoufakis claim that this vote does not mean the end of Greece in the euro
and political Europe, more and more strong and numerous are the voices that call for a
euro exit, in all countries and in all parties. The benefits are difficult to predict: it
often sells us the specter of the collapse of the euro or even the EU4. Others claim that
this changes nothing, or almost. It is certain, however, that the financial markets
panicked and live in the rhythm of political developments in Greece as fans of drama
frantically waiting for the next episode and outcome.
Also, if the unknown in Greece may seem a good opportunity for the working classes, it's a
safe bet that the extreme right in other European countries (including Britain, France,
Austria, Hungary, Denmark etc) will use (they already do!) this moment of instability in
Europe to better implement in their populations and other racist nationalist withdrawal
inclinations. In France, the European instability and could strengthen the FN speech on a
topic that until recently seemed ridiculously folk as the return to the franc. No matter
thereby to assert that Greece should at all costs remain in the EU and in the euro area!
This is just one of the factors to be taken into account in the French social movement if
this scenario were to confirm, not to end up as too often running behind the fascist hydra
without having anticipated his movements.
In addition, an unprecedented media offensive takes place in the European media, which
continually broadcast a large web of lies and lies by omission on Greece, which would
still, despite austerity, a country of lazy and · E · privileged s reap the money that
honest German workers or e · French. For who knows the daily situation in Greece,
arrangements of each e · and survival economy that it is widespread, are not hard to see a
joke, the only purpose of which is to climb Popular classes of Europe against each other
and justify the filthy economic strangulation made in recent days the Greek people. But,
as with the sinking of boats carrying migrants in the Mediterranean, it is a discourse
that seems to make its way in France and that significantly strengthens and chauvinist
protectionist ideas of right and the extreme right.
In geopolitical terms, the exit of Greece from the euro and the European Union would also
be a serious factor of instability in the balance of power between the major imperialist
blocs. Indeed, given the geographical situation of Greece, the situation of the country
concerned at the highest point in Putin's power projection strategy in the East of the EU.
Indeed, if Greece can neither be financed by the markets or by the institutions of the
Troika, it may not be too much choice but to go on the side of Russia. Or, have a
spoilsport partner in the euro area, the European Union or at least that is so close
historically would be a great diplomatic victory for Moscow. This also significantly
strengthen its positions in the region, in addition to its action in the eastern Ukraine
and Crimea. It seems plausible, for example, demand that Russia, in exchange for his
money, not ideological and political guarantees as does the Troika but the possibility of
installation of military bases ...
The United States, eternal rivals of Moscow, make no mistake: Barack Obama currently plays
all its diplomatic power to reach an agreement the government of Tsipras and the European
Union. This rapprochement between Athens and Moscow is even more conceivable that the two
countries already maintain strong ties, especially because of the strong influx of Russian
tourists on the islands and the Greek mainland and the Greek Left (parts of the Greek Left
) is significantly more complacent with Russian imperialism, for historical reasons (link
between Russia and the KKE, strong anti-American resistance during and after the junta of
the colonels). This geopolitical proximity, hardly understandable in left countries of
Western Europe, was particularly manifested by a strong rejection (much more than in
France, for example) the "fascist power of Kiev" by a majority of the left Greek. Only the
anarchist movement in Greece actually holds a clear position in relation to Moscow.
The situation in Greece: between risks and opportunities
Inside the country, it is also difficult to predict the future. Since the arrival of
Syriza in power, the largest fortunes that still had money in Greece have mostly moved
their investments and savings in foreign banks. It's a fairly classic phenomenon when left
to radical claim came to power, and beyond, in any period of instability (in France, it
was already the case in 36 and 68 and, to a lesser extent, in 81). But with the approach
of default in June, many medium and small investors began to empty their bank accounts,
mostly to keep their money at home, a practice much more common in Greece than in France,
even before the crisis. The latest estimates, the flight of capital is still estimated at
several billion euros, although the majority of Greeks that has hardly savings to preserve
the banqueroute5. This is proof, if any were needed yet one that capitalist crises do not
affect everyone the same way ...
Among working people who no longer have much to lose in banks is much exile constitutes
the strongest temptation now. If moving money from one country to another is only a matter
of a few hours, a few calls and, ultimately, a small writing set, economic migration
becomes a reality in this country pregnant high diasporic tradition. As in other countries
of southern Europe, such as Spain and Portugal, many people leave the country to try their
luck elsewhere, in Anglo-Saxon countries, Germany, France, etc. In particular, young
graduates upper can be attempted, often in desperation, to seek work elsewhere, especially
as they are and nombreu · x · her to do their graduate level (Master) in Western Europe 6.
These are hundreds of thousands of people who find themselves in this situation 7. Many of
them were militants radical left or anarchist movements, which can sometimes destabilize
these movements a little locally 8. Syriza, among others, strongly emphasized the need to
stay to fight, both in speech Tsipras that through the campaign "Ego tha Meino" 9, without
holding a too moralistic position to celleux that eventually make that choice.
In any case, everyone knows Greece e · how the situation is complicated to live every day.
The economic suffocation led by the ECB by stopping the supply of liquidity sharply
constrains the lives of Greek-that-s. To take, self-help and solidarity networks that have
been developed by social movements and neighborhood assemblies take a vital place for much
of the popular classes. Social centers are important places of culture and popular and
free education, but also more trivially places where you can eat and drink for a few
euros. The neighborhood assemblies organize direct sales markets or service exchanges and
distributed to the most needy families free of staples baskets. Students organize
movements regularly blocking the entry control student restaurants, allowing celleux in
need, including migrants to eat a free meal. If doing is spreading in a very complicated
situation, we must acknowledge the dignity and solidarity that continues to grow in the
popular and impoverished classes in Greece.
"In deep shit, no choice but to stand tall"
Greek militant networks have realized that against the "social cannibalism" 10, only
mutual aid, solidarity and collective action can help to maintain the cohesion needed to
avoid falling into nihilism.
No crisis ... (without) Output of capitalism!
But, beyond the urgency and the management of (his own!) Daily survival, the role of the
revolutionary movements in Greece is also pushing at break, to get into the cracks
crumbling , pushing the walls of capitalism to make him fall.
Greek anarchists and anarcho-syndicalists that have been very supportive during the
campaign of the referendum on July 5, the fact that the output of the euro or the EU did
not mean in itself a solution and a victory for classes. Thus, Nikos Maziotis, political
prisoner, member of the armed organization Revolutionary Struggle, called for abstention
in the referendum, arguing that a possible exit from the euro would in itself only add to
the weight of Greek debt since the alternative currency (the drachma, probably) would end
immediately devalued. Other libertarian groups called on them to vote "no" to the European
austerity, hoping to exploit the moment of instability which would necessarily result.
Now, time is no longer debating the relevance of these strategic choices but to do the
best in this troubled context.
We must take advantage of this moment of latency to organize a pressure in the street on
the left Syriza government-ANEL. The anarchist movement has the means, especially if it
aggregates with him the other revolutionary. He has already demonstrated during hunger
strikes of prisoners of DAK11 and CCF12. Without this public pressure, it is certain that
the government of Syriza will end at one time or another by folding. Whether by urgent
need to release money to operate state institutions and pay the salaries of officials and
other allowances, or the political and diplomatic pressure exerted by the leaders of the
Troika and the United States, the Greek Government sooner or later inevitably seek to
reach agreement with its creditors. The only means to force him to break with the logic of
urgency and with the impasse in Greece is placed by the capitalist leaders is to impose by
force compared to break with the capitalist paradigm.
Out of the capitalist paradigm, it means that the categories of analysis on which
capitalism is based, such as growth, profit rates, inflation or unemployment must be
abandoned as indicators to substitute those of the satisfaction of needs and desires you
tou · · s and less impact on the environment. Thus, in the event of a process of creating
an alternative currency to the euro, which should guide the action should not be the fear
of hyperinflation and devaluation but rather looking for a trade system to limit the
accumulation of capital by a privileged minority. The experiences of "floating currency"
as they were developed in the Espagnole13 Revolution can be about it a stimulating source
of inspiration. We must break with the repayment of debt and interests and focus
investment with a view to relocating production, under control of the population and
workers and skilled workers in their field. This is the only perennial issue facing
capitalist barbarism that reveals his true face in Greece right now, even starve swathes
of the population. And this solution, only a social movement of the scale will win against
the contradictions of Syriza, the appetites of the Greek ruling class and the vultures of
the Troika.?
_______________________
1 · longtime activist of the Radical Left, known throughout the country for having, during
the 2nd World War and the German occupation (April 30, 1941), won the Nazi flag from the
Parthenon to replace the national flag, risking his life.
2 ·
http://www.okeanews.fr/20150222-glezos-je-demande-au-peuple-grec-de-pardonner-davoir-contribue-cette-illusion
· 3
http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/la-crise-grecque/20150706.OBS2129/le-non-qui-divise-la-grece-tu-vois-ou-il-nous-emmene-ton-tsipras.html?utm_source=outbrain&utm_medium=widget&utm_campaign=obclick&obref=obinsite
4 · Is it really scarier than that to celleux undergoing capitalist oppression in everyday
life? The Greek-s that seem to have given a fairly clear answer on this ...
· 5 Cf Nouvel Obs article, cited above
6 The Greek · · s simply say that 'Europe' to speak of Western Europe. If the language it
speaks is not enough to sum up the thoughts of a person, the expression lights up despite
all the ambiguous relationship qu'entretiennent Greek-s to the rest · · that of Europe,
including before the crisis current policy.
7 · 200 000 persons would be affected, according to a survey Endeavor (p.17).
http://www.endeavor.org.gr/sites/default/files/images/upload/Endeavor%20Greece%20-%20Creating%20jobs%20for%20youth%20in%20Greece.pdf
8 · A beautiful text (published in Greek in November 2012) has been translated into
French, which tells the friendship, struggle and painful exile
http://blogs.mediapart.fr/blog/mehdi-zaaf/230513/vous -obligez-from-my-friends
· 9 'Me I will stay!' Movement initiated by young Syriza against economic exile and for
the organization of young graduates are unemployed.
10 · term coined in the Greek anarchist movement, to describe conflicts between
individuals or social groups that have ultimately the same class interests ...
11 · Network militant prisoners. Composed on the initiative of social anarchists
imprisoned, it also includes some communist or other prisoners who are politicized in (and
against the) prison. The hunger strike (victorious), which lasted over a month and a half,
was the main demands the abolition of anti-terrorist laws, abolition of maximum security
prisons and the possibility of release for captives heavily disabled.
· 12 Conspiracy of Cells of Fire. Armed group of anarcho-nihilist tendency (antisocial),
often in open conflict (sometimes up physical account regulations) with the rest of the
libertarian movement, in and outside the prison. The hunger strike they led protested
against the arrest and detention of their family members for complicity. They were
eventually released but part was returned to prison and is to be tried soon.
Notably, the two strikes of hunger (CCF and DAK) occurred simultaneously and are mutually
supported, despite different perspectives and strategies.
13 · At the time of the Civil War in Spain, some cities and towns have tried to delete the
currency to replace barter and 'taking the heap'. Others have developed an ingenious
monetary system, based on the constant inflation, forcing people to move money (consumer)
rather than the accumulation (savings, capital accumulation). Thus, it was impossible to
get rich and thus recreating the inequalities of capitalist society.
http://www.c-g-a.org/motion/grece-au-dela-de-la-sortie-de-lue-sortir-du-capitalisme
