Thoughts prompted by the film "The Young Karl Marx"

By Nikos Mottas.

“Der junge Karl Marx” (The Young Karl Marx) is a historical drama that covers the revolutionary, theoretical and political activity of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in the period from 1843 to 1847. This is the period when Marx and Engels began the joint work which became the foundation of the scientific worldview of the proletariat.

Within the limited framework of a film, Raoul Peck tries his best in order to present both the rich theoretical work of the two revolutionary thinkers as well as their militant activity. Despite the difficulty of the task the director uses effectively the powerful tools provided by cinema as a means of disseminating ideas. 

Iraq Crisis: Communist Party calls for early elections organised by an independent interim government

The Iraqi Communist Party has called for the organisation of fair and honest early elections that express the true will of the Iraqi people, to be organised by an independent interim government.

The Political Bureau of the party said in a statement that it issued yesterday, 27th July 2022: "At a time when the repercussions of the political impasse and their negative repercussions on the stability of the country and people's lives and livelihoods are intensifying, we hold the forces that still adhere to ethno-sectarian power-sharing as a system for managing the state fully responsible. 

Brazil presidential election: Meet the Communist Party candidates Sofia Manzano and Antônio Alves

The Brazilian Communist Party (PCB) has presented its pre-candidates for the presidential election of October 2nd. Sofia Manzano, professor and economist, is the presidential nominee and Antonio Alves, trade unionist, has been selected as the candidate vice president. 

 

The PCB candidates have presented an anti-capitalist political program while engaging in dialogue with workers throughout Brazil about their needs and demands. 

Russia: Communist local deputy fined for appealing to Putin for peace

On May 27th, Communist lawmakers in Russia's far east Primorye region expressed their disagreement over the imperialist war in Ukraine and called President Vladimir Putin to end the military campaign (read here).

We demand the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. We demand an end to military action”, legislative assembly member Leonid Vasyukevich had said during a session. Vasyukevich, member of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF) back then, said continuing Russia’s three-month campaign in Ukraine “would lead to an imminent increase in military deaths and injuries.” "During a military operation, people become disabled. These are young people who could be of great use to our country," he added.  

Italy: Massive rally in Piacenza against the persecution of trade unionists

With a massive demonstration held in Piacenza, in Italy's northern region of Emilia Romagna, thousands of workers, men and women, people of every age, demanded the release of the eight trade unionists of Si Cobas and USB who remain under house arrest.

The trade unionists were placed under house arrest and searched on July 19th, based on a 350-page indictment of the Piacenza Public Prosecutor’s Office against USB and Si Cobas unions. 

Venezuela: New anti-communist attack against the PCV and the workers' movement

In a statement titled "Fresh anti-communist attack against the PCV and the workers' movement", the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV) denounces the new aggression of Venezuela's state authorities against the Party and the workers' mobilizations. 

The full statement reads:

On July 21, the Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV) was the object of a new aggression that demonstrates the Nicolas Maduro government's repressive escalation against the struggles of the workers' and popular movement that confronts the neo-liberal adjustment and government policies that destroy workers' wages. 

Tudeh Party of Iran: Message of the 7th Congress to the communist and workers parties of the world

Message of the 7th Congress of the Tudeh Party of Iran to the Communist and Workers Parties of the world:  

There needs to be a widening of international solidarity with the Iranian people's struggle for freedom, independence, social justice, peace, and national sovereignty!

Dear Comrades, 

Delegates participating in the 7th Congress of the Tudeh Party of Iran extend their warm fraternal greetings to the communist and workers parties (CWPs) of the world who have supported the struggles of the working-class and working people of our country in defence of peace, progress, and democratic rights and freedoms overt he recent difficult and turbulent decades. 

Ukrainian death-list "myrotvorets" must close down!

By Nikos Mottas.

For almost eight years now, the Ukrainian state fosters and promotes the unacceptable and dangerous targeting of persons who are regarded as “enemies of Ukraine” by the government which emerged after the 2014 coup. 

The targeting takes place through the infamous, Kyiv-based website "myrotvorets.center" (“Peacemaker”) which publishes personal information, including photos, home addresses, social media accounts, etc, of people who are labelled as “persona non grata” by the far-right Ukrainian establishment.

KKE: Hands off the communists of Venezuela! Solidarity with the Communist Party of Venezuela

In a statement, the International Relations Section of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) denounces the attack of Venezuelan police authorities against a workers' demonstration in Caracas and expresses its solidarity with the Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV) and the country's popular-labour movement. 

Hands off the communists of Venezuela!

Solidarity with the Communist Party of Venezuela and the labour–popular movement of Venezuela

Ukraine and Russia governments unleash attack against workers' rights

Presidents Zelensky and Putin, both enemies of the working class.

In the midst of the imperialist war, the governments of Ukraine and Russia are promoting and implementing bills that undermine the rights of the workers in favor of the big capital.

Ukraine's Parliament Verkhovna Rada has passed two bills that obliterate workers' rights to collective bargaining and other fundamental labor protections, and allow employers to put up to 10% of their workforce on “zero hour” contracts leaving them without any control over their working lives. 

Communist Party of India (Marxist): Growing assaults on people’s livelihood by Modi government

The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) met in New Delhi on July 16. It has issued the following statement:

Growing assaults on people’s livelihood

World Bank data shows that the annual growth of the Indian economy over 2020-22 was a mere 0.8 per cent.

PAME denounces the attempts to criminalise trade union action in Italy

In a statement the All-Workers Militant Front (PAME) stresses out: 

In Italy the USB and Si Cobas unions are facing a 350-page indictment by the Piagenza Public Prosecutor’s Office in which the unions and trade unionists are accused of “crimes” such as picketing strikes, protests and mobilisations in the logistics sector. 

On the basis of this indictment, a police operation has been carried out since this morning with searches of trade unionists’ homes and the arrest of 4 USB trade unionists.

George Orwell, an anti-communist traitor

By Nikos Mottas.

A few days ago, the name of George Orwell came to the spotlight during a discussion in the Greek Parliament. In one of their usual dogfights, Prime Minister Mitsotakis and major opposition-Syriza leader Tsipras referred to Orwell's concept of “totalitarianism” in order to attack each other. Mitsotakis quoted the novelist's aversion towards “left totalitarianism”, while Tsipras replied that his party has always been critical towards the actually existing socialism. Their reference to Orwell is no accidental: Despite their particular differences, bourgeois politicians find themselves on the same camp when it comes to anti-communism. 

Cuban revolutionary Jose Ramon Balaguer dies at 90

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Saturday lamented the death of Commander Jose Ramon Balaguer at the age of 90. 

On behalf of his comrades of the @PCC, which he gave prestige with his exemplarity, and the people of #Cuba, to which he devoted his life tirelessly, our heartfelt embrace to the family and friends of Commander Jose Ramon Balaguer Cabrera, the president wrote on his Twitter account.

South African Communist Party elects Solly Mapaila as new General Secretary

Solly Mapaila (left) with former General Secretary Blade Nzimande.

Solly Mapaila, who served as the second Deputy General Secretary from 2012 to 2017, replaces Blade Nzimande as the new General Secretary of the South African Communist Party (SACP) following a vote by the 15th National Congress. 

Mapaila has expressed vocal opposition against corruption and was among the leaders who called former South African President Jacob Zuma to resign before the end of his term. 

Nzimande, the Party's long-time General Secretary since 1998 was elected Chairperson. 

Ástor García: "To deny the imperialist nature of Russia today is to deny reality"

The following speech was delivered by Ástor García, General Secretary of Communist party of the Workers of Spain (PCTE) at the quadripartite meeting held on 8th of July 2022 in Athens:

Comrades,

We are holding this important meeting in an especially difficult moment for class struggle. The imperialist war being waged in Ukraine is the key element that determines all the other issues and, from our viewpoint, it is a turning point in the international scene with important outcomes in the domestic spheres of our countries.

Cuba's Communist Party and KKE reaffirm fraternal relations during meeting in Havana

A meeting between the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) and the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) was held yesterday in Havana. 

 

The member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Cuba and Vice President of the Council of State, Roberto Morales Ojeda, received a delegation from the KKE, headed by Giorgos Marinos, member of the Political Bureau and MP.

Morales Ojeda expressed his gratitude for the firm position of the KKE in defense of the Revolution, as well as for the persistent struggle against the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the U.S on the island. 

Communist Party of Mexico: No more confidence in the government of López Obrador!

In a recent statement, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Mexico refers to the deterioration of the living standards of the country's working class and underlines the necessity of an offensive against the rule of capital and the social democratic government of Andrés Manuel López Obrador. 

The statement reads:

At the beginning of the year, there was a sharp increase in the cost of living, which reached about 7%. In this situation, the 2022 wage increase did not have a significant effect, and there are still workers who have not yet received the wage change. This implied a higher cost for the workers, who were also affected by the loss of benefits and working conditions during the pandemic. 

This has forced workers to cut back on consumption of some goods and services, or to work even longer hours to maintain their real incomes. Halfway through the year, inflation is considered by specialists to be uncontrollable, as it is currently around 7.5 per cent, but is expected to reach 10 per cent by the end of the year. In concrete terms, the basic food basket has shot up to 27% and this is taking its toll on the pockets of working families.

Joint Statement of the General Secretaries of the CP of Greece, Mexico, Workers of Spain, Turkey

On 8 July 2022, a quadripartite meeting between the CP of Greece (KKE), the CP of Mexico (PCM), the CP of the Workers of Spain (PCTE), and the CP of Turkey (TKP) was held in Athens, at the headquarters of the CC of the KKE.

After the meeting, the General Secretaries of the 4 CPs issued the following statement:

“During our meeting on 8/7/22 in Athens, we had the opportunity to exchange opinions on the developments at international and national level, the situation formed due to the imperialist war in Ukraine, and the multifaceted anti-popular and anti-labour attack under the conditions of the so-called Green transition, of the energy crisis and a possible food crisis, essentially of the impending economic recession and crisis. 

Union of Communists of Ukraine: On the War and the tasks of the working class

The following statement-analysis by the Union of Communists of Ukraine was originally appeared in Russian language in solidnet.org (27 June 2022). It is the first public statement of the Union of Communists for the imperialist war in Ukraine, while the Communist Party of Ukraine has not so far issued any communique. Both political forces have been banned in Ukraine and are currently facing multiple persecutions.

The full statement is as follows:

The general assessment of the nature of the war launched under the guise of a special military operation (SMO) by the Union of Communists of Ukraine (UCU) generally coincides with the Statement of the Communist and Workers' Parties of February 24, 2022, supported by the UCU.

KKE expresses full solidarity with the workers-people's struggle in Sri Lanka

On the occasion of the large demonstrations in Sri Lanka, the Press Office of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) pointed out on 9 July:

“The KKE expresses its full solidarity to the great struggle of the working class of Sri Lanka. It condemns the brutal crackdown against the mass popular mobilizations which consist a decisive response to the rise in prices, the shortages in basic goods, the generalization of the people's impoverishment. It supports the struggle of the People's Liberation Front (JVP), the country's communists, for the overthrow of the anti-people policy and the defense of the workers and people's rights”. 

Greek soldier punished because he publicly expressed anti-NATO views

A soldier of the National Militia Battalion in the Greek island of Rhodes was punished by his unit because he expressed views against NATO, USA and the EU, 902 portal reported. More specifically, the soldier published a letter in which he opposes Greece's participation in the dangerous US-NATO imperialist plans and the country's involvement in the Ukraine war.

In a statement, the Solidarity Committee for the Rights of the Conscripts strongly denounces the decision to punish the soldier, underlines the responsibility of the Government and especially the Ministry of Defence and calls for the immediate revocation of the sentence. 

Massive internationalist rally of the KKE in Volos sends powerful anti-imperialist message

A large political event, organized by the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), took place on Saturday afternoon in the city of Volos. Thousands of KKE members and friends, workers, young men and women, flocked the central promenade of the city, holding banners and flags and shouting anti-imperialist slogans. 

The event marked the culmination of the festivities of the 31st Anti-imperialist Camp of the Communist Youth of Greece (KNE) which takes place in the seaside village of Nies, Central Greece.  

Solidarity with Roofers Local 36 of Los Angeles, USA and Cliff Smith

In a statement, the All-Workers’ Militant Front (PAME) expresses the solidarity of the class unions of Greece with the Roofers Local 36 of Los Angeles, USA and the unionist Cliff Smith who are being threatened and blackmailed for leading the struggles and mobilizations for the rights of the working class in their region:

To Cliff Smith
Roofers Local 36 Business Manager
To Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers