Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube

Tsipras’ capitulation and the general strike against the agreement

Despite the resounding NO at the referendum last July 5, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras accepted the demands made by the Troika. A new austerity package is on the way. Syriza has ignored the people’s mandate. The call for a general strike by the public workers federation will pose the first challenge to the government.

Celeste Murillo

July 14, 2015
Facebook Twitter Share

Syriza took office last January, delivering promises of an end to the memoranda signed by its predecessors of PASOK and New Democracy, and the Troika. The austerity plans led to a real economic destruction, with an unemployment rate of 27% –up to 60% within the youth, and the debt reaching 180 % of the GDP.

Far from the promised “anti-austerity government”, Syriza became the “third memorandum” government, accepting one by one the demands of the European Union. The acceptance of harsh conditions to avoid the “Grexit” came after trusting in a Troika that is “willing to negotiate.”

This week Tsipras will seek Parliamentary support to approve the austerity plan (even harsher than the one rejected last June). The Troika is not only asking for tough measures but is also setting an agenda for the Greek Parliament.

A new general strike

The public sector union federation ADEDY has called for a general strike against the new memorandum on the same day of the Congressional vote. This strike will be the first one held by ADEDY since Tsipras took office, but it won’t be the first strike against the Syriza government. At the end of May, doctors and health workers shut down the public hospitals demanding more staff and more money for the public health care system.

According to the ADEDY’s statement, “We are calling for a 24 hour strike at the same time that the Congress will be voting for the unpopular agreement; we are calling a rally at 7 pm at Syntagma Square.”

During the last five years, the Greek working class took part in 33 general strikes against Pasok and the New Democracy governments. This 24-hour strike represents the first one against Trispras’ government and its agreement with the creditors. The general strike will come a week after the resounding victory of the NO vote in the referendum.

Sources:

La capitulación de Tsipras y el fin de una ilusión

Huelga de trabajadores públicos contra el acuerdo de Tsipras y la Troika

Facebook Twitter Share

Celeste Murillo

Celeste is a leader of the Socialist Workers' Party (PTS) and a founder of the women's group Pan y Rosas (Bread and Roses) in Argentina. She is a host of the radio program El Círculo Rojo where she focusses on culture and gender.

Twitter

Europe

A group of protesters, in the front of whom are a line of protesters wearing red vests. In the front right corner, a white sign reds "vive la retraite," with a skeleton wearing a red hat in the middle of the sign on a black background with a text bubble on its left that reads, "oiv a bosse, c'est pas pour en crever!"

“French March”: The Right to Revolutionary Optimism

Evoking memories of '68, the students enter the fight against Macron. In our chaotic world, the future can only be built in the streets.

Eduardo Castilla

March 26, 2023

On Monday, Germany Will Experience a “Mega-Strike”

On March 27, German railway workers and public sector employees will shut down the whole country. All trains are being canceled. Airports, freeways, hospitals, and daycare centers will all be affected.

Nathaniel Flakin

March 25, 2023

France: On the Frontlines of the War Against Austerity

The French masses have raised the banner of class struggle in what is becoming the first major battle against austerity after the pandemic. Working people across the world should pay attention.

James Dennis Hoff

March 25, 2023

Despite Threats of Arrest, Refinery Workers in France Refuse to Break Strike

As energy strikes continue, France is faced with a kerosene shortage that’s creating an urgent situation at the country’s airports. With capitalist profits on the line, the government has attempted to force Normandy refinery workers back to work through an anti-strike legal weapon called requisitions. In their first victory, refinery workers forced the police to withdraw in an incredible demonstration of solidarity.

Nathan Erderof

March 24, 2023

MOST RECENT

“Lesser Evil” Biden Wants More Border Patrol Than MAGA Republicans

Over the weekend, Biden bragged about his support for even more resources than “MAGA Republicans.” to “secure the border” on Twitter. This is “lesser evilism” in action.

Molly Rosenzweig

March 28, 2023
Customers clear shelves of water Sunday at Fresh Grocer in West Philadelphia.

A Chemical Plant Just Poisoned Philadelphia’s Water: A First-Hand Account of the Crisis

A company dumped thousands of gallons of poisonous chemicals into Philadelphia’s drinking water. This is an on-the-ground account by a Philadelphia worker and socialist.

Jason Koslowski

March 27, 2023

Joe Biden Is Deporting Russians Who Escaped Putin’s Draft — Let Them All In!

The United States is deporting Russians who sought asylum following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This is a heinous attack against war resisters and shows that the proxy war in Ukraine is about capitalist rivalry first and foremost.

Sam Carliner

March 26, 2023

“We Need Action Committees Everywhere”: Building the General Strike in France

Workers across France are organizing action committees to build a general strike to take down the Macron government and the Fifth Republic.

Arthur Nicola

March 24, 2023