Greece in the eye of the storm

[Hannah Bell]

Antonis Davenellos, a member of International Workers Left (DEA) in Athens, describes the brewing protests as the government imposes harsh austerity measures.


The announcement of the new austerity measures provoked a storm of reactions. The previously scheduled public-sector strike on March 5 was joined by a host of other workers. Large demonstrations took place in many major cities across the country. During the session when parliament voted on the measures, the building was surrounded by tens of thousands of angry workers.

During the clashes that followed, riot police attacked demonstrators with excessive use of chemicals. They didn't even hesitate to pepper spray an 88-year-old resistance fighter, a living legend of the fight against the Nazis, who was at the head of the protest as a leading member of SYRIZA, a broad coalition of the radical left. The picture of the unconscious veteran fighter on the ground sent a shocking message to the whole country and forced the government and police to issue a public apology.

THERE IS certain to be mass workers' resistance to the measures. The social democratic leadership of the unions won't succeed in containing it--though it has been trying systematically to do so.

The private-sector General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) has already been forced to reverse its decision and call for its members to join public-sector employees in a general strike on March 11 that is expected to shake the whole country. The chairman of GSEE, a leading member of PASOK, attempted to address strikers in front of the parliament building on March 5. His speech was cut short after he was jeered and pelted with eggs and yogurt by the angry crowd...


We've seen this scenario play out before in Greece: In 1985 to 1987, the social democratic government of Andreas Papandreou (father of the current prime minister) also decided on a harsh "stabilization" program. PASOK split, with a large section of its trade unionists moved to the left, followed by a couple years full of bitter strike confrontations that forced finally Papandreou into retreat.

Again in 2001, the social democratic government of Prime Minister Konstantinos Simitis was determined to push through a severe cutback of the public pension system. It provoked an unprecedented general strike--with the participation of PASOK trade unionists--that paralyzed the country and forced Simitis into a disorderly retreat...

AS HAS happened in a number of cases across Europe, a social democratic government elected on the promise of defending workers has in reality adapted harsh neoliberal programs that the right wouldn't dare to attempt.

In the case of Greece, though, there is reason for optimism, because usually, this sort of attack doesn't lead to stability, and they are rarely successful. As a result, the eyes of all Europe--where other governments are preparing similar austerity plans--are literally fixed on the streets and workplaces of Athens. Greece has been turned into a laboratory, where the possible future developments for Spain, Portugal, Italy and eventually all of Europe are being tested.

http://socialistworker.org/2010/03/11/in-the-eye-of-the-storm

[DJ13]

1. Greece seems to be a test case

to see if the elites can get away with undermining social safety nets under the guise of "austerity programs".

For our own country's sake lets hope the Greeks put up a fight because somewhere down the line they plan on doing it here if it succeeds.

Obama's deficit committee should worry everyone as its purpose is to institute the same mean spirited attacks on our own poor, aged, and lower classes that they are trying to get away with in Greece.

[apocalypsehow]

2. The only hope for Greece is if the rest of the EU agrees to bail them out - in which case the much-

maligned "austerity programs" are mandatory, per European Union law.

[Hardrada]

3. I'm very glad Norway isn't in that fucking EU.

Fram fram Kristmen Krosmen!

[wroberts189]

4. "elected on the promise of defending workers has in reality adapted harsh neoliberal programs"

"AS HAS happened in a number of cases across Europe, a social democratic government elected on the promise of defending workers has in reality adapted harsh neoliberal programs that the right wouldn't dare to attempt."


Interesting... where have I seen that happen before?


knr

[malaise]

5. You should see the protests today

hundreds of thousands are on the streets.

[TheWatcher]

6. And most of the 300 Million in this country couldn't be less interested, unfortunately

Due in part to the bought and paid for Media pretending that beyond the borders of our country, Nothing Exists.

Just another day behind "The Ignorant Curtain".

[Greyhound]

8. "The Ignorant Curtain", I like that, it fits so nicely in so many ways. n/t

[DemReadingDU]

9. "The Ignorant Curtain"

that's a good way of putting it

[maryf]

7. K&Rnt

[DemReadingDU]

10. Thanks for this link

A much better perspective of the background and what is really going on.

[HeresyLives]

11. All they're doing is racking up more debt for themselves.

And in the end, protests or not, they'll have to pay up.