The results of the May 6 elections in Greece sent a message that has been heard around the world: Working people want an end to the austerity agenda that has plunged Greece's economy into depression and slashed living standards everywhere.
Greece
鈥淩ight Greece, up against that wall over there. Here, put that blindfold on... what鈥檚 that? No you can鈥檛 have a last fucking cigarette, you are too broke. You flogged your last pack off to Goldman Sachs.鈥
If the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was honest, this is how its press releases would read when describing the brutal austerity the 鈥渢roika鈥 of the IMF, European Union and European Central Bank demands from Greece in return for funds to stop the country going bankrupt.
The parties that have ruled the country since the end of the military dictatorship in 1974 -- New Democracy (ND) and the Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) -- have collapsed in the May 6 parliamentary elections.
In all elections since 1974 (except 1990-91) one of these two parties was able to gain a clear majority in the parliament and form government, jointly scoring from 70% to 90% of the vote. On May 6, their combined vote was 33%.
With the Spanish economy sinking and 12 countries in Europe mired in recession, politicians and bankers are once again worried about a financial meltdown on the continent as the result of the crisis in the eurozone.
Adding to the concerns among politicians and financial policymakers is the prospect that elections in France and Greece on May 6 could upend the austerity packages agreed to by European leaders in December.
The people of Greece will go to the polls on May 6 to replace the unelected government of Prime Minister Lucas Papademos imposed by the Greek and European elites on November 10.
The imposed government was a three-party coalition, consisting of聽the social-democratic Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK), traditional right-wing New Democracy (ND) and extreme-right Popular Orthodox Alert (LAOS). LAOS left the government in February.
鈥淭he Tsolakoglou Occupation government has literally crushed my prospects for survival, so far based on a decent pension, which I alone (without supplementation from the State) financed over 35 years.鈥 That was how the suicide note left by 77-year-old retired pharmacist Dimitris Christoulas began. It likened the current government to the collaborationist regime during the German occupation in World War II, led by Georgios Tsolakoglou. He was arrested and tried for his role.
It is a truism to say that democracy began with the Greeks 鈥 less so to say that it originated in popular rebellion against debt and debt-bondage.
Yet, with the Greek people ensnared once more in the vice-like grip of rich debt-holders, it may be useful to recall that fact. For the only hope today of reclaiming democracy in Greece (and elsewhere) resides in the prospect of a mass uprising against modern debt-bondage that extends the rule of the people into the economic sphere.
The abridged statement below was initiated by the British Coalition of Resistance and signed by dozens of groups and individuals around the world 鈥 including Australia's . See for the list of signatories and to add your name.
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German President Christian Wulff resigned on February 17 after prosecutors applied to have his presidential immunity stripped in a corruption scandal.
Wulff has been accused of having received kickbacks from businessmen, including a home loan of 500,000 euros (paid via an anonymous bank cheque) in 2008.
When German tabloid Bild threatened to publish the allegations, Wulff left voice messages on the editor's phone threatening "war".
Hundreds of thousands protested around the Athens parliament on February 12. Tens of thousands protested in Thessaloniki, the country's second biggest city, and sizeable protests took place in other Greek cities. The rallies followed a 48-hour strike over February 10-11.
When a regime loses it ... 91自拍论坛 journalist Afrodity Giannakis, in Thessaloniki, collects below some of the great words of the great Greek politicians in the days of the savage austerity imposed on the country.
Who said that pro-austerity Greek politicians are just insensitive blood-sucking beasts?
Below are some great quotes expressing their finer human side. Other quotes display their deep appreciation of various artistic trends.
For more details on the horrific austerity being imposed on Greece, read Giannakis's most recent article
Greek unions launched a two-day general strike on February 10 against new extreme austerity measures the 鈥渢roika鈥 of the International Monetary Fund, European Central Bank and European Union is seeking to impose on the southern European nation.
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