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Weekly Worker 548 Thursday October 14 2004

Forum must serve unity

Despite all the problems we have faced during the preparations for this year’s European Social Forum, the coming together of the left across Europe is of vital importance, says Tina Becker. But in order for the working class ever to be in a position to effectively challenge the Europe of the bosses, bankers and bureaucrats, our own structures must be democratic and accountable

Our enemies are uniting against us. The ruling classes of Europe are turning the EU into a quasi-state, complete with its own flag, currency and perhaps in the not too distant future an army. The EU now has its own (draft) constitution. More and more functions of individual states are being taken on by the EU.
So how are the existing organisations of the working class responding? So far all have failed the test. There is next to no coordination across Europe: only hopeless attempts to produce clones from the parental confessional sect - a mockery of genuine internationalism.

In this respect, the ESF is a step forward. Its preparatory meetings have already drawn together the serious organisations of the left across Europe: in the main Italy’s Rifondazione Comunista, but the Parti Communiste Français and the Ligue Communiste Révolutionnaire (although both of them are hiding behind the lobby group, Attac).

This is a start, but it is not enough. In its current manifestation, the ESF is neither fish nor fowl - it unites revolutionary organisations, but discusses mainly sub-reformist ideas. It helps organise tremendous anti-war demonstrations - but does not want to organise the European left on a far higher level. It wants to challenge the European Union - but does not want to even talk about the possibility of fielding joint candidates in the European elections.

Fortunately though, comrades from Italy have taken the initiative to prepare a European-wide campaign against the EU’s constitution and for a social Europe, which will be launched during this year’s ESF. A draft statement will be discussed and amended at a number of seminars and workshops - see our ESF timetable of highlights.

But much more is needed. As a matter of urgency we need to start to work towards a Socialist Alliance of the European Union, as a step towards a Communist Party of the EU. It has yet to be seen if the ESF will be part of this long overdue process.

The unity of Europe is - even under capitalism - progressive. To say this is not to foster illusions in Blair, Berlusconi or Prodi - they intend to create a bureaucratic, undemocratic Europe in the interests of capital. We, on the contrary, fight for extreme democracy and the greatest influence of the working class over every aspect of the EU.

A united Europe brings the working class together, objectively and - if we revolutionaries do our work properly - subjectively through a common political programme. Capitalism creates its own gravedigger in the form of the proletariat. European integration also creates a hugely powerful potential enemy for capital - the working class organised into a revolutionary party across Europe. Our job is to cement a united core capable of making that a reality.

A Socialist Alliance of the European Union could unite us on a higher organisational level. Democracy, transparency and the right to publish and circulate minority viewpoints are crucial for this.

If the ESF and the project of European left unity are to succeed, a bold lead is called for. At present, there are few organisations that have the influence, cadre and political strength to spark the process of left unity. Our joint campaign against the EU constitution and for a social Europe is a serious step in the right direction, but much more is needed:

A democratically elected and accountable leadership of the ESF that can take decisions and act. All meetings at all levels to be open to observers.
No ban on political parties. For the open clash of ideas in front of the whole movement.
An end to the ‘consensus principle’. It is undemocratic, inflexible and holds us back. For the right of the majority to decide.
Structures that allow us to debate a joint programme to challenge the Europe of capital and its bureaucrats, as well as our own national ruling classes.
The recognition that coordinating our campaigns and activities is not just a nice idea, but vital. We need continent-wide campaigns, strikes and demonstrations against cuts, privatisations, war and all attacks on our class and the democratic rights it has won.

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