[Marxism] EU -- French Communist Party statement on EU vote

[Greg Dunkel <gdunkel@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Since the LCR appears to be moving to some kind of alliance,
regroupement with the PCF, I think it would be useful to post a
translation of their statement.

I think the real significance of this electoral struggle was that it was
the result of a popular mobilization, led by the left, against a solid
bloc of bourgeois opinion, backed by a unified media campaign, and
interventions by foreign bourgeois leaders like the chancellor of
Germany and the president of Poland.

/greg

http://www.humaniteinenglish.com/news/output/editorial_1117450548.shtml

Editorial A Time of Great Hope – The NO victory in the French Referendum
Article Written by Pierre Laurent ( 30 May 2005 )
Translated by Patrick Bolland ( 30 May 2005 )

“The way is now open to rebuild, along with the other peoples of Europe,
a new European Constitution” – French voters in the May 29th French
Referendum rejected unequivocally the neoliberal European Constitution,
by a margin of 55% to 45%.

It has been done. They French have said NO. They had the guts to say N0.
Despite non-stop official propaganda, shameless manipulation by the
media, the line-up of the whole pro-European elite, the blatant use of
intimidation, false associations with the reactionary right-wing
extremists, despite all the blackmail. The French voters avoided the
trap, they refused to endorse the scenario of “the obvious truth”, that
made out as if the referendum was a consultation of the population, but
only allowed for a single possible answer. For them, YES was “obviously”
the correct vote.

But the electors took the debate seriously, passionately studying a text
that its defenders wanted to hide from them, taking control, mustering
all their political and social strength, in the battle for the NO. This
was the citizens’ debate that they wanted to avoid. The result is
unambiguous: a clear and massive mobilisation of electors; an
unequivocal victory for the No; there was nothing vague about this, no
smudges or blurs in the results. Democracy has emerged the victor.
Neoliberalism has been defeated.

It has been done. The project of a European Constitution, this Treaty of
Neoliberal Good Conduct, has been rejected. Our country does not want
it. The way is now open to reconstruct, with the other peoples of
Europe, a new Constitution. For the meaning of this vote is clear, even
if we will have to anticipate a no-holds-barred battle for interpreting
what this NO means.

The NO victory is first of all the fruit of a remarkable popular
mobilisation, and a political renewal of the Left. It is a call for
building, as soon as possible, a Social Europe, a Europe based on
Solidarity, progress for all: a Europe that rejects the Law of the
Jungle, that pits workers against each other, at the lowest salaries,
working conditions and social benefits available in the European Union.
The result says NO to “social dumping” – employers moving to where EU
labour-costs are lowest – that benefits only those with the most Capital.

....

Following the referendum results last night, the French Communist Party
national general, Marie George Buffet, called for popular assemblies for
another Europe. This reflects a strong popular demand. Changing
direction should also means a new national political agenda. After such
a result, the country expects much more than merely a shuffling of
Cabinet chairs; they are even less calling for a “new thrust” in the
politics of the Right, to use President Chirac’s words in reaction to
the referendum results. The majority of our people are demanding once
again, and with such force, for complete political change.

This demand concerns the present; we cannot wait for the next national
elections in 2007. From this angle, if it can’t stop the Right staying
in power, the message sent by our people on the Left is also very clear.
It is calling for courage and commitment in the face of the hegemony of
financial interests. It is announcing for all to hear: “We are here”. It
knows when to take up its own responsibilities, as is the case in this
battle over the Constitution.

The strength of this joining forces of the progressive Left now has to
bear fruit. The challenges are certainly there, they lie in front of us:
for Another Europe, for a popular Left alternative. We will work
together following the promise opened up by this remarkable victory.

“Tous ensemble!” – All together !

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