1. newsletter 052012
Since December 2009 the transform! europe newsletter has been published regularly once a month. It
contains information about the activities of our network, its members and observing members and about
important initiatives of social movements we are taking part in.
Contents
Articles and Reports
A Spectre is Haunting Europe .................................................................. 2
Greece: Climate of Extreme Political Polarization .................................... 2
Steps towards a Movement for a Social Europe ..................................... 3
The Prague Spring 2012 .......................................................................... 4
Labour Markets and Employment: Crisis in the European Union ............. 5
Occupy Patriarchy! Participate!”............................................................... 6
transform! europe AKADEMIA Network ................................................... 7
Left-wing Organizations of Russia call for Solidarity and Support ............ 8
Announcements
Seminar on EU and the Left in Times of Crisis, Greece .......................... 9
7th Summer University of the European Left and transform! europe,
Greece................................................................................................... 10
New Release: Journal transform! Issue vol. 10 ...................................... 11
Book on the Debt Crisis ......................................................................... 12

2. A Spectre is Haunting Europe
By Walter Baier and Elisabeth Gauthier, transform! europe
A spectre is haunting Europe. This of Greece. This fatal logic was what the elites in the states and in the EU. Decid-
time it is the spectre of a political change election results of 6 May were directed ing for that option is the sovereign right
of the European Union, which was put against which made SYRIZA the second of each people and of all the peoples of
on the agenda by the election victory of most powerful political force in the Europe together.
SYRIZA and the outcome of the French country. This truth is what Merkel, Bar-
Twenty mass and general strikes in all
presidential elections. And again, all the roso and Co refuse to believe.
parts of Europe, numerous mass demon-
powers of old Europe have joined forces
The message they have for Greece and strations, the occupation of big squares
for a holy chivvy against this spectre:
the peoples of Europe is: Either you in the capitals as well as Blockupy
EU-President Barroso, the International
accept the austerity programmes, the Frankfurt show that millions of Europe-
Monetary Fund, the European Central
reduction of your living standard, the ans want this change of the political
Bank, the German Minister of Finances,
carving up of the labour and social laws, orientation.
and the conservative mainstream-media,
the destruction of the public health and
which are siding with the strong where This requires mobilisation in each
education systems, that is, the further
they have assumedly detected a weaker country as well as European solidarity.
deepening of social inequality or we will
one. Steps to bring together the social, trade
exclude you from the international mar-
unionist and political forces on the
Yet, there is one result from this fact: kets. Submission or expulsion. That is
European level have been made in re-
the claim that SYRIZA is putting for- what their democracy looks like.
cent months. In a public appeal re-
ward on behalf of the Greek people to
Since 6 May, Europe has been stand- spected speakers of German trade un-
put an end to the barbaric policy of aus-
ing on a crossroads. The elections indi- ions have together with well-known
terity and to cancel the illegitimate part
cate a shift in the balance of power in intellectuals demanded a new policy. A
of the Greek national debt is questioning
France, Greece and on the European process towards a new summit for alter-
the European Union’s entire policy auf
scale. Two roads, two logics. One of natives of European populations is to set
austerity. What SYRIZA demands is not
them includes sacrificing entire national a highly visible signal for such a politi-
Greece leaving the European Union, but
economies and states on the altar of the cal alternative. The Party of the Euro-
– and that is what the challenge consists
financial markets. It brings deprivation pean Left and the transform!-network
of – a change of the politics of the Euro-
and suffering for the populations, but no are part of this process of bringing peo-
pean institutions – not only vis-à-vis
way out of the crisis. On the contrary, it ple together.
Greece, but vis-à-vis all the populations
threatens to devour European integration
of Europe. What is it that the European Today the Greek Left is standing on
and with it democracy. The other logic
Commission, the European Central the most highly exposed point of this
requires a cancellation of the illegitimate
Bank and the International Monetary European struggle for a political alterna-
debts, the socialisation of the banking
Fund can boast of that justifies a per- tive. SYRIZA’s concern is not only to
and financial sector, the top-down redis-
petuation of the current policy? In spite resist to but to change the rule of
tribution of incomes, the fight against
of the three “austerity packages” im- Europe. Thwarting attempts by the
corruption and a reconstruction of Euro-
posed by the “Troika” and all the dra- “powers of old Europe” to intimidate the
pean real economies according to eco-
matic social consequences, the public Greek population means to work for the
logical standards. Europe has to choose
indebtedness of the country has more democratic and social renewal of
between austerity or growth and em-
than doubled since 2010. To continue Europe.
ployment. It requires a breach with the
that way means to deliberately bring
dictatorship of the financial markets and
about the economic and social collapse
the replacement of the current power
Greek Elections
Climate of Extreme Political Polarization
By Nassos Eliopoulos, Secretary of the Youth of Synaspismos
transform! newsletter 052012 page 2 www.transform-network.net

3. It is evident that we are finding our- One thing is for certain: The coming coming from pensions, welfare benefits
selves amidst a transitional period out of elections will take place in a climate of and shutdowns of schools and hospitals.
which a new point of equilibrium is to extreme social and political polarization. To this we should add 15% cuts in
emerge following the intense political The Coalition of the Radical Left has wages and increases in the prices of
and social conflicts. been, and still is, the target of a fero- electricity and public transportation. At
cious assault launched by nearly all the the same time the banking system is
What is at stake in the new elections is
political forces as well as the media, reinforced with an additional 50 billion
the political regulation of the crisis. The
which are organically related with large Euros (so far the banking system has
implementation, in other words, of the
conglomerates involving mainly con- received 150 billion Euros, while its
very same austerity programme that has
struction and shipping capital. One of private equity value is estimated to be
been promoting, for over two years now,
the main goals of this assault was to rig about 4 billion), without any provision
internal devaluation both in Greece and
the electoral result. The majority of the for public control of the banks that
in Europe. The potential overthrow of
political forces attempted to implicate would provide the conditions for the
this programme in one single country
the Coalition of the Radical Left in for- implementation of social policy. Last
will bring about a new impetus for the
mulating a coalition government with a but not least, there is an ongoing attack
labour movement and the left political
mandate to renegotiate certain aspects of on labour relations, through the abolition
organizations throughout Europe.
the Memorandum and the prospect to of sectoral wage pacts. According to the
Such an overthrow could well give an disentangle from it in two years’ time. data provided by the research institute of
example of how a TINA political logic However, this would clearly represent a the Greek General Confederation of
endorsing that the exit of the crisis can manipulation of the electoral result, Workers, until the end of this year eight
only take place at the expense of the since the Coalition of the Radical Left out of ten private employees will be
rights of working people can be beaten. was elected on the premise of immedi- employed on private labour contracts
For two years now, the radical Left in ately cancelling the Memorandum and which will result in further decreases of
Greece has been supporting the convic- its concomitant loan agreements as well wages ranging from 20% to 48%.
tion that an alternative way exists. This as the austerity measures accompanying
The electoral battle ahead of us has a
is a way that places priority to the needs them and not on the premise of continu-
historic significance not only for the
of society instead of the speculation of ing the same policies with minor
Greek Left, but for the working people
capital and the concomitant privileges changes.
of Europe in their entirety. The Coali-
that the latter is accustomed to. We can
A token of how dedicated PASOK tion of the Radical Left holds firm its
no longer live in a country where an
and ND are to implementing the Memo- ground in the battle against neoliberal
employee with two children pays an
randum’s austerity programme, is their barbarism and continues to fight, despite
income tax of 37.8% while an S.A. en-
direct refusal to freeze the austerity all difficulties, for a comprehensive and
terprise pays a 20% tax, scheduled to be
measures scheduled to be sanctioned in united Left ready to take power and
further reduced to 15%.
mid-June. The latter include new spend- bring to a halt the catastrophic course
ing cuts amounting to 11.5 billion Euros taken in Greece and Europe.
After the “EU in Crisis” Conference in Brussels
Steps towards a Movement for a Social Europe
By Kenneth Haar, Corporate Europe Observatory
For several years now, the EU’s re- need for a European movement to Analysis, Resistance and Alternatives to
sponse to the crisis has been austerity, emerge to challenge this and make alter- Corporate Europe”, see:
attacks on social rights, and a plethora of natives a reality. http://www.corporateeurope.org/eu-
new laws that empower unelected crisis-analysis-resistance-and-
The urgent need to change direction
Commission officials to influence eco- alternatives-corporate-europe
was expressed vocally at a packed con-
nomic policies through technocratic and
ference in Brussels, organised by Cor- About 250 activists from across the
deeply undemocratic procedures. It’s not
porate Europe Observatory (CEO) in EU member states, including trade un-
just the Greeks that are in trouble, it’s all
cooperation with Transnational Institute ionists, environmentalists, economists
of us. There are faint small glimpses of
(TNI) to discuss the “EU in Crisis: and angry citizens, condemned the Aus-
hope here and there, but there is a dire
terity Treaty as an attack on social rights
transform! newsletter 052012 page 3 www.transform-network.net

4. and democracy, backing a statement counter the widespread myth that there opposition against the EU’s response to
urging a radical change of course. is no alternative, was voiced repeatedly the economic crisis. The conference
at the conference. showed that there are promising at-
And to support the call, a new pan-
tempts to build European convergence at
European network was formed to op- Secondly, it will be part of a wider ef-
the moment – most (if not all) of which
pose the Treaty and to campaign against fort to strengthen social movements’
are complementary. Not least the Alter-
other measures in the authoritarian neo- pan-European resistance to the EU’s
summit organised by different actors
liberal model being imposed from Brus- emerging authoritarian neoliberal eco-
together with the Joint Social Confer-
sels at the moment. nomic governance regime that has been
ence, and the Florence + 10 event in
under construction since the outbreak of
The network is to do two things, basi- Italy.
the Euro-crisis.
cally.
Hopefully, by the end of this year, we
At the moment, EU decision makers
First, it will continue and improve the won’t just have thousands of initiatives,
pay little attention to social movements.
debate on strategy and alternatives, and hundreds of protests, dozens of coali-
However strong the opposition of social
to share analysis. The conference re- tions, but even a genuine European
movements might be at the national
vealed that there is actually a solid basis movement for a social Europe that can
level, their demands are easily ignored
for common ground among social make a difference in the years to come.
in Brussels.
movements at the moment. With a little
more work, if handled skilfully. The The CEO conference is but one en-
need for a clearer political response to couraging sign of growing EU-wide
Mass Demonstrations and Spontaneous Civic Gatherings
The Prague Spring 2012
By Jiří Málek, SPED, Prague
Prague’s Wenceslas Square has been trated the actual power of individual ernment talks about certain corrective
the site of mass demonstrations and political players. Trade unionists had measures, this primarily involves a re-
spontaneous civic gatherings. It is also a good reason to be satisfied. They sponse to partial changes to the concep-
symbol of patriotic and national identity. showed that they are able to prepare a tual ideas being pushed through by con-
Consequently, any civic, political, or large demonstration in terms of sub- temporary European leaders rather than
cultural event that occurs at this place stance and publicity as well as in terms submitting to the demands of demon-
has major implications. of organisation and logistics. The role strators. After all, even rightwing
played by civil initiatives was a lot Czechs admit that cutting one’s way to
At the end of April this year, more
smaller albeit still significant. The oppo- growth is the same as squaring the eco-
than 100,000 people thronged the square
sition political parties (the social democ- nomic circle.
to take part in one of the biggest demon-
rats and the communists) deliberately
strations since 1989. One common idea The demonstration was an assembly
remained on the sidelines. At the same
caused them to congregate for this gath- of those who are not satisfied. Socio-
time, they had also been forced there by
ering: the Czech Republic should not logical surveys suggest that more than
the “anti-party” attitude of a large por-
continue to be governed in the way it is three quarters of the population of the
tion of the critical public. The course of
now. The demonstration was the culmi- Czech Republic are dissatisfied with the
the demonstration and the way in which
nation of the civilian population’s dis- government as well as with its “pro-
it was covered in the media as well as
agreement with the direction society has gramme of fiscal responsibility” and the
the way it was handled in technical and
taken under the leadership of a right- practical implementation of this pro-
organisational terms was undoubtedly a
wing neoliberal coalition. The unifying gramme, in particular. This is what citi-
major success for the organisers. It is
element comprised three demands: “in- zens agree upon. Nonetheless, it is not at
also evident, however, that it did not
sidious and asocial reforms should be all clear how they should proceed, be-
result in any actual change or even the
stopped; the government should resign; cause there is no realistic, generally
fulfilment of at least some of the demon-
and early elections should be called.” accepted concept for the development of
strators’ demands. And there is not even
This civic manifestation was organised society that is palatable to the majority
the slightest indication that the govern-
by trade unions, civil initiatives, and of citizens. The opinion prevails among
ing elites are going to change their
interest groups. The demonstration illus- citizens that this discontent is not a re-
minds any time soon. When the gov-
transform! newsletter 052012 page 4 www.transform-network.net

5. jection of capitalism per se. The major- discussions among civic initiatives and rather than others. Surveys of public
ity want capitalism to be “rectified.” trade unionists, there was no mention of opinion show that the Left is gaining
Undoubtedly, what appeals to the the fact that we are part of an all- strength, regardless of whether it con-
masses is the concept of the welfare European social conflict. We frequently cerns social democrats or communists.
state, as it is remembered using the see declarations of a so-called patriotic On the other hand, the neoliberal Right
somewhat idealised view of the West attitude and calls to fight under a na- is also mobilising and raising the spectre
that prevailed behind the Iron Curtain in tional banner. Of course, this does not of the communists making a comeback
the final decades of the last century. The mean a surge in nationalism, but is an and having at least a share in power. A
concept of radical change, regardless of expression of a narrow perspective on torrid autumn is ahead of us. Besides
whether it is based on the ideas of social “domestic” problems whilst overlooking regional elections, which will undoubt-
forums and critical civic initiatives or their European dimensions. It is as edly also offer a commentary on the
radical, leftwing, communist endeavours though people thought – aided and abet- performance of the rightwing govern-
or other anti-capitalist projects, is ac- ted by some of their political leaders – ment up to now, as well as elections for
cepted by around one sixth of the popu- that we live on an isolated island. On the one third of the senate, where there is a
lation. contrary, our goal should be to partici- realistic chance of the social democrats
pate as actively as possible in the formu- increasing their majority, early parlia-
What is the European dimension of
lation of a European leftwing strategy, to mentary elections could also be on the
our Czech circumstances? It is amazing
putting up for discussion a Central schedule. The new coalition government
how there is so little acknowledgment in
European perspective along with our that has been cobbled together still has
this country of the European aspects of
experience of the socialist era and our to negotiate several political minefields,
the current social and political conflicts.
specific experiences of the remorseless which could bring it down. Egregious
At the same time, even a cursory glance
destruction of the principles of the wel- church restitutions, the definitive ap-
at the economic and geopolitical con-
fare state. The internationalism of work- proval of pension, health, and tax re-
texts clearly shows that the Czech situa-
ing people is not dead. On the contrary, form, and several corruption cases could
tion is fundamentally linked to the situa-
it is a prerequisite for the future. not only “shoot down” some politicians,
tion that prevails throughout the Central
but also an entire governing party. But
European region with the obvious domi- We are in the middle of a conflict that
that is another story.
nance of Germany and some important has an increasingly profound impact on
global players and the exponents of Czech society with rising tensions in In conclusion, it is possible to say that
groups representing powerful interna- many directions. The lack of construc- the Czech spring brought the first visible
tional capital. Even during the prepara- tive starting points and civic debate success, but so far this does not presage
tion of anti-government speeches or in could turn out to benefit some solutions the certainty of outright victory.
Report of a Seminar, organized by transform! Brussels Working Group
Labour Markets and Employment: Crisis in the
European Union
Brussels, 25 April 2012
By Francine Mestrum, Facilitator of the Seminar Global Social Justice and transform! Brussels
Today’s situation shows many para- organizations are now promoting – once These neoliberal policies, with their
doxes. Whereas neoliberal “Washington again – universal social protection and privatizations, deregulations and the
Consensus” policies which were im- even transformative social protection. destruction of labour law constantly
posed on indebted third world countries The ILO will probably adopt in June create poverty, whereas a serious fight
thirty years ago have all failed, these 2012 a recommendation on a “social against poverty should start with a brake
same policies are now introduced in protection floor” coupled to its cam- on processes of impoverishment, par-
Western Europe. The “poverty reduction paign for universal social security cov- ticularly with the best possible preven-
policies” which have accompanied them erage. Yet again, in the European Union, tion against poverty which is social
since the 1990s have equally failed and welfare states are being dismantled, as if protection.
inequalities have been growing every- there were nothing to learn from the
Unemployment in the European Un-
where. This explains why many UN negative experiences in the third world.
ion today is over 10%, with peaks of
transform! newsletter 052012 page 5 www.transform-network.net

6. almost 25% in Spain, more than 20% in sioners of which one was a social- old people are obliged to work longer,
Greece and 15% in Portugal. Youth democrat. This balance has gone and whereas young people do not get access
unemployment is 21% in the European since most governments are now right- to the labour market. Youth unemploy-
Union and rising, with peaks of almost wing, the idea of European integration ment is a structural problem today;
50% in Spain, 45% in Greece and 35% itself is more and more threatened. young people should have better possi-
in Portugal. Even in the wealthy city of bilities than just apprenticeships; more
The European crisis has to be seen
Brussels, it is around 45%. jobs should be created.
against the background of changing
Young people also suffer from low international relations and changing As for Greece, Panayota Maniou
wages and they make up a dispropor- capitalist modes of production and ac- (European Parliament) points out how
tionate number of the world’s working cumulation, stresses Walter Baier (co- tragic the situation is. It is not a coinci-
poor. Everywhere, they are the last in ordinator transform! europe). The pro- dence, of course, that Southern countries
and the first out. ductivist model of civilization is also in were attacked first, since their welfare
crisis. These are deep structural causes states are weakest. Minimum wages
Nevertheless, as was pointed out by
which, if not settled soon, will have very have gone down by 22% and these for
Philippe Pochet (Director European
serious consequences in the near future. young people by 32%. Many people are
Trade Union Institute), social discourses
now leaving the country which leads to
in the EU continue to focus on poverty What is at stake is the welfare state it-
a serious brain drain. The most urgent
and child poverty and totally ignore self as well as European integration. The
need is to make clear this requires a
inequalities. Today, we have to look at social and economic changes neoliberals
collective fight, for education, for health
OECD studies to find more data on want can never be implemented with
care, for jobs, for social rights.
inequalities. And the OECD even admits strong trade unions and with the existing
it has been making some mistakes in the social model. It is a well-planned project In the discussion, one of the main
past. The EU apparently does not hear and is less irrational than it seems. questions concerned the belief in possi-
these messages. ble alternatives and the question of
Against that logic, which also leads to
whether it is a conscious strategy which
ETUI just published a study on the more nationalism, we have to put an-
is now being implemented. Many people
dismantlement of labour law in the other logic. We need a broad alliance of
have indeed accepted the dominant dis-
European Union. It reveals this has noth- leftwing forces, trade unions and social
course of having to reduce budget
ing to do with debt problems. It is a movements, people from the cultural
spending in order to save the future of
massive attack against collective rights sector, experts and political representa-
the welfare states. In Germany, there is a
and the institutions which were able in tives. We have to invent another narra-
divergence of opinion amongst the elites
the past to promote more equality. Very tive, since we cannot go back to the past.
on whether or not to save the Euro and
probably, this is due to the “window of But our positions should be very clear.
European integration. But the point is
opportunity” governments are seeing
Céline Moreau (Youth-FGTB) em- that the neoliberal focus of policies to-
and the social devaluation they are prac-
phasises the specific problems of young day is not specific for the European
ticing in the framework of the EMU.
people. The big problem is not the Union and its institutions, but is shared
Today, the political situation has be- “skills mismatch” but the lack of a suf- by all governments. In other words, it is
come much more difficult because of the ficient number of good jobs. Moreover, not the shifting of scales which is re-
neoliberal Commission which can be employers in Belgium do not respect sponsible, but ideology itself.
accused of a kind of “autism”. In the their obligation to organize trainings. It
past, large countries had two commis- is very paradoxical that on the one hand
Occupy Patriarchy! Participate!
2nd Big Mobilisation of Platform 20000 Women in Vienna
By Heidemarie Ambrosch, transform! europe
Under this motto and with more than worldwide which are fighting for a de- cial and political crisis”, it said in the
60 tents the Vienna Ring Boulevard was mocratic and just world and are not call to the ‘tent-city’.
on 12 May occupied by women for 10 prepared to simply accept the conse-
This was already the second big mobi-
hours. “With this action in public space quences of the current economic, finan-
lisation of the Platform 20000 Women /
we refer to the social movements
Plattform 20000 Frauen which had two
transform! newsletter 052012 page 6 www.transform-network.net

7. years ago come together as a broad migrant women. These facts are taken heterogeneous alliance had been able to
movement of civil society and has into account in the visionary text of the reach entirely new groups of women,
meanwhile established itself as a factor platform which can be understood as among them not a few who had for the
of women’s politics, one not only mak- expressing the interests of all women very first time in their lives taken to the
ing visible in public space the deficien- involved. This text has been translated streets for their concerns and had been
cies of women’s politics with small into 7 languages and can be downloaded able to experience that they were not
interventions throughout the entire year from: alone. Thus the platform is a space for
but also promoting substantial debates http://zwanzigtausendfrauen.at/2011/01/ women and their debates to link up and
by organising symposia in cooperation english/ refer to each other.
with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs –
The differences among us can be iden- Knowing that if there is no sufficient
because recognizing common interests
tified where there are demands, strate- pressure from the Left, the centre will
must not cover up the differences also
gies for change or also the objective find itself caught in a maelstrom to the
existing.
possibilities to carry them into the public right, I think that by the cooperation of
As members of a rich industrialised or the respective institutions and to trig- very heterogeneous groups Platform
nation we are privileged and thus can in ger discussions and shifts in discourse. 20000 Women has succeeded in boost-
our struggles for our share of the cake Underlying all that, there is, of course, ing feminist and – thanks to the radical-
not ignore that this cake is baked under the basic difference in the assessments ism of feminist theory – also left issues.
conditions of exploiting the resources of of the current political situation between The mixed-gender Left of the country
other countries and their populations. the poles of a critique immanent to the could well take that as an example and
Our struggle for adequate employment system and one transgressing it. learn from these current feminist prac-
and salaries must keep in mind that this tices.
Already the demonstration on 19
is often achieved by shifting the burdens
March 2011 had shown that this very
of reproductive work to the shoulders of
transform! europe
AKADEMIA Network
Who are we? What is our “AKADEMIA Net- When?
work”?
transform! europe is a European net- We plan to have this virtual platform
work for alternative thinking and politi- It is a project launched in March 2012 fully operational by September 2012.
cal dialogue formed by 23 organizations to create a comprehensive (geographi-
from 17 countries, active in the field of cally and thematically) European net- Contact for more information:
political education and critical scientific work of left-wing academics in order to AKADEMIA Network Project
analysis. contribute to counter hegemonic think- transform! europe
ing against neo-liberalism. 4 rue Rouppe, 1000 Brussels
In the context of the dramatic crisis
+32 (0) 2.265.46.60
there are new potentialities of coopera- For this purpose we are creating a vir-
academia@transform-network.net
tion between left scholars and the Euro- tual platform (an intranet with limited
http://www.transform-network.net
pean Left, as well as an urgency to build access) where the academics will be able
political and intellectual dynamics in to interact, share information/ publica-
favour of a breach with the neoliberal tions and develop common projects.
logic. The struggle for a new cultural Likewise, in the mid-term we want to
hegemony becomes essential in the make this rich database accessible to
intellectual and political field. trans- social and political activists, politicians
form! wishes to mobilize its resources in of the European Left, GUE/NGL MEPs,
order to favour new and fruitful coop- left parliamentarians and local council-
eration for that purpose. lors.
transform! newsletter 052012 page 7 www.transform-network.net

8. Call for solidarity
Comrades!
Today, we activists of left-wing organizations of Russia turn to you for solidarity and
support!
In Russia, an open strife between a they are administrative detainees ac- it is about to either dishearten or kill our
broad democratic movement and the cused of the fabricated case of “organiz- comrade. At the same time they plan to
corrupted authoritarian oligarchical ing mass riots”. And there is the real risk falsely accuse him and initiate several
regime is broken out. The authorities of criminal cases being fabricated criminal cases against him.
rigged the results of parliament and against them with long-term prison sen-
Comrades! We need your solidarity
presidential elections in December 2011 tences to follow.
and support! We address left parties
and March 2012 correspondingly. And
Repressions against Sergey Udaltsov and organizations, social and civil activ-
overpressure during the electoral cam-
could have the most serious effect on the ists, and everybody concerned with the
paign allowed only a few, loyal politi-
left movement of Russia since Sergey is struggle for social and civil rights in
cians to take part in the election race.
one of the leaders of the Left Front Russia. Organize street actions in front
Demonstrative abuse of civil liberties movement, probably one of the largeest of Russian diplomatic missions in your
and democratic rights resulted in mass and most well-known socialist organiza- country demanding to stop the arbitrary
street protest which was energized by tions of Russia today. Literally, Udalt- actions and repressions against Sergey
both indignation from outrageous elec- sov became the central figure of the civil Udaltsov and other civil activists in our
toral rigging and growing disaffection protest, and his personal influence is country! We ask the deputies of the left
with the neoliberal regime of Putin. The extremely high. For the authorities he and democratic parties to make solemn
protest boiled into a multi-thousand- symbolizes the threat of mass and organ- declarations in support of Sergey Udalt-
strong demonstration. Police and Special ized rebellion against the dictatorship of sov. We ask human rights organizations
Police Force broke up the demonstration big capital, and for many of us his name to recognize him as a prisoner of con-
held in Moscow on the day before presi- is a symbol of struggle for the democ- science.
dential inauguration. ratic and social future of Russia.
Contact:
After breaking up the peaceful dem- Sergey Udaltsov has been on dry hun-
Carine Clément
onstration the regime turned to the civil ger strike for over a week. His health is
carine_clement@hotmail.com
movement leaders. Two of them – Ser- put at risk, and Russian Political Police
gey Udaltsov and Alexey Navalny – are put pressure upon the doctors, forcing
at the most risk at the moment. Today, them to deny him hospital care. In fact,
transform! newsletter 052012 page 8 www.transform-network.net

9. Announcements
The EU and the Left in Times of Crisis
Left Strategy between the Symplegades of National and
International Political Arenas
Seminar in Portaria/Greece, 16-18 July
By Vagia Lysikatou, researcher, Nicos Poulantzas Institute
A three-day international seminar de- the crisis of political representation 11.45-12.45 Country reports
signed by the NPI and organized by the along with the crisis of party systems 12.45-13.45 Discussion
transform!europe network in collabora- and how this creates the potential for a 15.30-16.30 Session II
tion with the Rosa Luxemburg Founda- left transformation at the national and Saving Democracy in Europe: Left
tion will take place from 16-18 July European level. The seminar will be Parties and Movements against Auster-
ity and Repression
prior to the European Left Summer concluded on the third day with a dis-
16.30-17.30 Discussion
University to be held in Portaria (Pilion), cussion on the perspectives of a com-
17.45-18.45 Country reports
Greece, this summer. The seminar is mon programme of the European radical 18.45-19.45 Discussion
organized in the context of the “Strate- left forces.
gic Perspectives of the Radical Left  Tuesday, 17 July
Along with the central theoretical talks
Parties in Europe” programme activities.
given on each separate issue, all sessions 09.30-10.30: Session III
The seminar’s goal, under the title will include case studies based on a Classes and Class Struggle during the
“EU and the Left in Times of Crisis: common questionnaire. Crisis: New Challenges for the Euro-
Left Strategy between the Symplegades pean Left
Apart from members and researchers
of National and International Political 10.30-11.30 Discussion
of the transform! network, participants
Arenas”, is to conclude the studies con- 11.45-12.45 Country reports
of the seminar will include, academics 12.45-13.45 Discussion
ducted in the first phase of the research
whose research interests fit in with its 15.30-16.30 Session IV
project “Strategic Perspectives of the
problematique. Participants are to be Searching for a Left Response to the
Radical Left Parties in Europe”.
announced shortly along with the final Crisis: the Dialectic Tension between
According to the seminar’s tentative programme of the seminar. National and European Level
programme, the first day will tackle the 16-30-17.30 Discussion
issues of: EU integration and the chal- 17.45-18.45 Country reports
The tentative programme runs as
lenges that this process poses to the 18.45-19.45 Discussion
follows:
strategies of the left parties in view of
the current crisis; the relation between  Wednesday, 18 July
 Monday, 16 July
democracy and capitalism in light of the Round table: Left Strategy and the
new tasks faced by the Left in view of 09.00-09.30 Opening Challenge of Anti-Systemic Politics:
the power concentration at the European 09.30-10.30 Session I Struggling for Hegemony in the Euro-
level which forms a novel post- EU: Dissolution or Authoritarian Inte- pean Political Scene
democratic environment. The second gration? Old and New Strategies of the
European Left
day will include sessions dealing with:
10.30-11.30 Discussion
transform! newsletter 052012 page 9 www.transform-network.net

10. “Peoples of Europe, Unite!”
th
7 Summer University of the European Left and
transform! europe
Portaria/Greece, 17-22 July 2012
This year’s Summer University of the 17.00-18.00  Friday, 20 July
European Left Party and transform! Opening and Welcome messages
3rd thematic axis: The Future of
europe will take place in Portaria, near 18.00-20.30
Europe - Europe and the World
the city of Volos, in the region of Thes- 1st thematic axis: Building Solidarity
10.30-13.30 Plenary: The Crisis in
saly in Greece, from 17 to 22 July. The during the Crisis-Towards a New
Europe as a Part of the Global Crisis
first day will be organized by the EL Society
4 presentations, Discussion
Feminist Network (EL-FEM). Plenary: 2 theoretical presentations by
13.30-15.30 Lunch
key-note speakers, 6 presentations by
In the epicentre of the crisis, this 16.00-18.00 Seminars:
solidarity networks (testimonies, prac-
Summer University will have the crisis 1. North Vs South/ West Vs East:
tices, alliances, achievements and
as its transversal theme. The effects of Deconstructing stereotypes
problems), discussion
the austerity measures all over Europe, 2. European Crisis and Evolution of
20.30 Dinner
the pauperisation of society, but also the the Political Landscape
big popular resistance and important 3. Is the Euro-zone sustainable?
 Thursday, 19 July
mobilisations in several countries, out- 4. Beyond capitalism (I): Changing
line what is in the page the European 2nd thematic axis: Against Authori- our countries, Europe and the world
people are turning at this new moment tarian Capitalism. For a Democratic, 18.00-18.30 Coffee Break
in history. Social, Ecological and Feminist 18.30-21.00 Seminars:
In cooperation with the Greek EL Europe 1. The geopolitical effects of the crisis
09:00-11.00: LGBT + Seminar 2. Integration or disintegration?
member parties of Synaspismos and
11.00-14.00 Plenary: Crisis, Neoliberal 3. Beyond capitalism (II): Changing
AKOA, the Summer University aims to
Domination and Post-Democracy; 5 our countries, Europe and the world
gather young activists and members of
presentations, discussion 21.00 Dinner
parties and social movements from all
14.00-15.45 Lunch
over Europe, for debates on current
16.00-18.00 Seminars:  Saturday, 21 July
political and social issues. During the
1. Is feminism out of fashion or do we
workshops and the plenaries, partici- 4th thematic axis: “United We
still need it?
pants will share experiences and discuss Stand”: Cooperation Among Parties,
2. Making Democracy Real
policies and initiatives for the construc- Trade Unions and Social Movements
tion of an alternative Europe. 3. Ecology (“Overcoming Ecological
on a National and European Level
Crisis”: Radical Proposals for an
10.30-13.30 Plenary: 8 presentations,
The final programme including the Alternative Development)
speakers will be published soon at: discussion
4. The ideological struggle about his-
13.30-15.00 Lunch
www.european-left.org/ and tory. Opposing historical
15.30-18.30 Seminars:
www.transform-network.net revisionism.
1. Theoretical Seminar
18.00-18.30 Coffee Break
2. European Trade-Unions: Are They
DRAFT PROGRAMME 18.30-21.00 Seminars:
Up to the Challenge?
1. Young people during the crisis:
3. “We are 99%”: Emerging social
 Tuesday, 17 July Precarity and collective action
actors during the crisis
2. Immigrants: Solidarity, Collective
Feminist-Gender Day (Organized by 19.00-20.00 Closure of the EL SU 2012
Action and Common Class Struggle
EL FEM) 20.30 Dinner and popular celebration
3. Culture and crisis
Afternoon: Care-work and care- in the square of Portaria
4. The rise of the nationalist, authori-
economy as the heart of our struggles
tarian and racist Right in Europe.
for a human society  Sunday, 22 July
Which Challenges for the Left?
Morning: Bus departures to Aghialos,
 Wednesday, 18 July 21.00 Dinner
Athens and Thessaloniki International
10.00-13.00 Airports.
Continuation of debate from Tuesday
transform! newsletter 052012 page 10 www.transform-network.net

11. SUMMER UNIVERSITY LOGISTICS REGISTRATION
The participation fees (4 nights, 3 meals Additional nights: For registration until latest 11 June 2012
per day included) are: refer to
For participants who might choose to
take part in the seminar organized by http://www.european-left.org/
 Cost per person in a single room: the EL-FEM network for 17 July or
250 Euro those who choose to arrive earlier or
depart later, each extra day of accom- If you have any further questions,
 Cost per person in a double room: please contact us under the following e-
modation (including 3 meals per day)
150 Euro mail address:
costs:
 Cost per person in a triple room:
 Double and triple room 40 Euro elsummeruni2012@gmail.com
120 Euro per person
 Single room 65 Euro per person
New Release
Journal transform! Issue vol. 10
The English edition of the transform!  Christian Pilichowski: Trade Unions:  Manuela Kropp / Anna Striethorst:
magazine vol. 10 has been published International Solidarity in Action The Migrations of Roma in the Euro-
recently. Soon also a French, German  Interview with Rena Dourou: The pean Union – An Ethnic Minority as
and Greek edition will be available. The Left, the Youth and the Political Pro- the Sport of European Politics
focus of the issue is on democracy. ject  Ulrike Kruh: Immigration Is Good,
Immigration Is Bad, Migration Is (a
Europe: Crisis and Alternatives
Contents (English edition) Fact)
 Walter Baier / Elisabeth Gauthier:
 Cornelia Ernst / Lorenz Krämer:
 Lutz Holzinger: Editorial Working Towards the Social and
European Migration Policy – Too
Democratic Refoundation of Europe
About the Left Much of the Same
 Christiane Marty: Women Facing
 Bob Jessop: Left Strategy  Dario Stefano Dell’Aquila: Immigra-
Crisis and Austerity
 Francisco Louçã: The Crisis of tion Policies in Italy – Rights, Move-
 Peter Fleissner: Growing Income
Europe: Elements of a Political ments and Imprisonment
Inequality and Increasing Concentra-
Strategy tion of Property Elections
 Dieter Klein: Thoughts on a Timely  Jacques Rigaudiat: Can We Design a  Horst Kahrs: Pirates in Berlin – On
Narrative for the Left European New Deal for the 21st Cen- the Success of the Piratenpartei in
 CMS Stockholm: The Impossibilities tury? Berlin
of Reformism  Trevor Evans: A Progressive Euro-  Tiina Fahrni: Russia: Colored With-
Democracy at Stake pean Response to the Crisis in the out Revolution
 Hervé Kempf: From Oligarchy to the Euro Area
Country Reports
New Challenge of Global Politics  Stephen Bouquin: Plea for a Euro-
 Tamás Morva: Austerity Policy in
 Constantinos Tsoukalas: Democracy pean Minimum Wage
Hungary
in Crisis  Steffen Lehndorff: The Triumph of
 Gabriele Habashi: What Democracy?
 Walter Baier: Peril from the Right Failed Ideas
The New Egypt Gets Back Into the Rut
 Franco Russo: The EU – The Flight  Resisting Financial Dictatorship –
 Dominique Bari: China: New Per-
from Democracy Reclaiming Democracy and Social
spectives After the Great Strikes of
 Joachim Bischoff / Richard Detje: Rights!
2010
Economic Democracy – An Alterna-  Political Declaration & Coordinated
 Erhard Crome: The West’s War
tive for Europe? Actions – JSC 2012
against Libya and its Outcome
 Janine Guespin-Michel: What Science Migration
for What Democracy?
transform! newsletter 052012 page 11 www.transform-network.net

12. Ordering the journal published twice a year. A single issue c/o VSA-Verlag
can be ordered at the price of EUR 8 or St. Georgs Kirchhof 6
transform! european journal for alter-
a subscription at EUR 15 (incl. postage) D-20099 Hamburg, Germany
native thinking and political dialogue is
for two issues p.a. e-mail: info@vsa-verlag.de
To be released soon
Book on the Debt Crisis
The publication is the result of an in-  George Stathakis: The Global Public  Elisabeth Gauthier: The Rule of the
ternational conference entitled “Public Debt Crisis Markets: Democracy in Shambles
Debt and Austerity Policies in Europe.  Brigitte Unger: Causes of the Debt
Section 4 – The PIGS as (Scape)Goats
The Response of the European Left”. Crisis – Greek Problem or Systemic
 Portugal – Marianna Mortagua
The conference which took place in Problem?
 Ireland – Daniel Finn
Athens in March 2011 was a coopera-  Euclid Tsakalotos: Crisis, Inequality
 Greece – Eric Toussaint
tion of transform! europe, Nicos Pou- and Capitalist Legitimacy
 Spain – Javier Navascués
lantzas Institute, European Left Party  Dimitris Sotiropoulos: Thoughts on
 Hungary – Tamás Morva
and Synaspismos. the On-going European Debt Crisis:
A New Theoretical and Political Per- Section 5 – Overcoming the Crisis:
It was a really successful mega-event.
spective The Imperative of Alternative Pro-
The opening event attracted around 800
posals
people, while the closing event was a Section 2 – The Management of the
 Yiannis Dragasakis: A Radical Solu-
full house, attended by more than 1,000 Debt Crisis by the EU and the
tion only through a Common Left
people. For two days and three evenings, European Elites
European Strategy
60 speakers from 12 EU-countries and  Marica Frangakis: From Banking
 Kunibert Raffer: Insolvency Protec-
Ecuador examined various issues related Crisis to Austerity in the EU – The
tion and Fairness for Greece: Imple-
to the debt crisis: causes, EU and gov- Need for Solidarity
menting the Raffer Proposal
ernments’ policies, resistances and radi-  Jan Toporowski: Government Bonds
 Pedro Páez Pérez: A Latin-American
cal proposals for a European exit from and European Debt Markets
Perspective on Austerity Policies,
the crisis. Participants included academ-  Riccardo Bellofiore: The Postman
Debt and the New Financial Archi-
ics, economists, sociologists, experts on Always Rings Twice: The Euro Crisis
tecture
debt, trade-unionists, MPs, MEPs, lead- inside the Global Crisis
 Nicos Chountis: The Debt Crisis and
ers and cadres of Radical Left, Commu-
Section 3 – Facets of the Social and the Alternative Strategies of the Left
nist, Left Socialist and Green political
Political Consequences of the Crisis
parties. Section 6 – The Crucial Role of the
in Europe
European Left – Political Interven-
 Maria Karamessini: Global Economic
Contents tions
Crisis and the European Union – Im-
 Alexis Tsipras: A European Solution
 Elena Papadopoulou, Gabriel Sakel- plications, Policies and Challenges
for a European Problem: The Debt
laridis: Introduction  Giovanna Vertova: Women on the
Crisis as a Social Crisis
Verge of a Nervous Breakdown: The
Section 1 – Understanding the Euro-  Pierre Laurent: People Should Not
Gender Impact of the Crisis
pean Debt Crisis in a Global Per- Pay for the Crisis of Capitalism
spective
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transform! newsletter 052012 page 12 www.transform-network.net