Across Europe today in every country except Ireland and Greece, Social Democratic governments are in power. While this achievement for social democracy is a result of the crisis and defeats of the right wing parties, these governments continue to apply austerity policies, albeit in new clothes. This situation opens up more space for left recomposition to the left of these traditional working class parties. France's largest far-left groups have united for the European elections in June. Opinion polls show 5-8% support for the list led by Alain Krivine (LCR) and Arlette Laguiller (LO). 3000 people packed into the launch meeting for the campaign on February 5 at the Mutualité in Paris. Laure Favieres spoke to Alain Krivine about the project LF: What are the main challenges for this common list? AK: To make visible, electorally, a current of opinion which is already present in the social sphere: the current of French opinion which is against the right-wing parties, against the far-right, and also against the policies of the current, "plural left" government.
This current has been present in social struggles since 1995. But on the political front, it has remained marginal - apart from the respectable vote which Arlette Laguiller won in the last presidential elections, and a good score for our two organisations in the regional elections in early 1998. LF: The opinion polls give you magazine! eight per cent support AK : Let's be prudent about these opinion polls. The only important question is whether we pass the 5 per cent barrier, the minimum to take any seats in the European parliament.
That would be the first time that a vote for the far left would seem useful and credible, rather than a protest vote.
Make no mistake, if we get more than 5 per cent, it will be a real event, both in France and at the European level. To the left of the institutional parties there will at last be a credible force which rejects all the capitalist and neoliberal policies being applied across Europe, by governments of left and right.
A good score will also be a warning to the employers, and to the "plural left" government. Their obedience to the laws of the market will cost them something! LF: Communist Party leader Robert Hue says the LO-LCR list seeks to weaken his Party. AK: Our Campaign isn't aimed against the Communist Party as such. But it is certainly aimed against that party's current leadership.
The fundamental goal of our list is to organise a front of all those who are ready to resist the right and the far right - these are our major enemies.
We are obliged to oppose the policies of the "plural left" government, in which the Communist Party participates. Their government refuses to respond to the attacks from employers. On the contrary, it goes along with them.
The top of the Communist Party participates in government, but the base of the party is often present alongside us in social mobilisations against those policies. That party's balancing act cannot last for long. That's why the CP is in crisis.
Many voters, or former voters for the Communist Party feel more Lutte ouvrière attracted to the LO-LCR policies than to those of Robert Hue. Good!
LF: LO and LCR are not new parties. Why is this list suddenly possible?
AK: Everyone on the left knows about the differences berween our two parties, particularly concerning the type of organisation we want to bulld, and the way our militants should implement "the line" on a day to day basis.
This isn't some politicians' agreement which covers up those differences. But there are clearly enough common points for us to collaborate in these elections.
We urgently need an alternative to Maastricht Europe, with its 20 million unemployed and 60 million poor, the expansion of part time and unstable contracts, its anti-ecological and anti-democratic policies. Instead of a monetary union, on financial criteria, we want a social Europe, based on social criteria.
LO and LCR faced an exceptional situation. We needed to act, and act together, to show that there is an alternative to the "plural "Most left" government, of our and that left candidates are politicians can and should women, including implement auda8 of the first 10 cious measures to reduce unempositions" ployment, marginalisation and job insecurity.
LF: What are the main elements of your campaign?
AK: Employment is the central focus, much of the rest follows from this. The rise in urban violence and support for the far right is, fundamentally, linked to persistent mass unemployment and the lack of a future for so many people. Thirty years ago, the employers that they would stop using it.
It all depends, of course, whether you want to stay within the framework of capitalist logic, or confront the bosses. We want to see new taxes on financial transactions and on capital.
Let's reform the tax system, end the tax cuts for employers, and increase their share of the tax burden! Drain the wealth of the rich, and redistribute it through a job-creation programme! That will require popular mobilisation and confrontations with the employers. But it can be done.
We will also put forward the demands of the sans-papiers (undocumented immigrants), of women, the unemployed and the homeless. We know, too, that our society's social deficit is also an ecological deficit. Who suffers most from the noise pollution of modern cities: the rich in the suburbs or or those in the inner cities? LF: How is the campaign progressing? AK: It is too early to tell for sure, but there are countless positive echoes and signs - from those around us, and from our own supporters. People don't perceive this as a "Trotskyist unity list," but as the only nongovernmental, anti-capitalist left option. "100% left", some call it.
People who would not have voted LO or LCR in the past now see this list as a useful tool. Some are already helping us with posters, meetings, leaflets. LF: Who are the candidates? AK: Our list of candidates reflects our various struggles. Most of our candidates are women, including 8 of the first 10 positions. Ligue communiste révolutionnaire Our candidates come from all walks of life, including immigrants, and two candidates active in other countries of the European Union. LF: Why should anyone vote for the LO-LCR list? AK: To show that the balance of forces is changing, that there is a radical, anti-capitalist wing of the movement which has no confidence in the "plural left" government.
To demand a job, a roof, health, education. To reject nationalism and the Europe which is being built above us. The more votes we get, the less people will be discouraged about defending themselves.
These elections are a step towards the construction of a new anti-capitalist force which will not be confined to the far left, but will attract anti-capitalist militants currently working in the Communist and Socialist parties or the Greens, as well as the much larger group of people who are sceptical about all the parties, and concentrate their energies on the trade union movement, single issue campaigns and voluntary sector activities.
A good vote will enable us to send deputies to the European Parliament. It is an institution without any power, but we can use the credibility of parliamentary status to gain information, and get media coverage when we denounce the secret structures of the Europe which is being planned for us. We will use our positions as a tribune for the social movements, and use the resources at our disposal to build those movements. In voting for us, people are voting for themselves!
(from Rouge, 4 February 1999)