SYRIZA’s Labor Policy Department called on all workers, unemployed, pensioners and students to join the general strike on Thursday.
In an official announcement, the left-wing party department urges Greek citizens to “actively respond” to the pressure of creditors who continue “the dynamics of extreme, unpopular neoliberal policies.”
The strike was organized by Greece’s two main unions, for private (GSEE) and public sector (ADEDY) employees, and it is a protest against the reforms demanded by creditors, namely restructuring security funds, fiscal policy, pension cuts and privatization among others.
SYRIZA’s labor department communique considers that the workers’ mobilization is of “special relevance” to confront the “neoliberal policies and economic blackmail” that Greece has been subjected to from abroad.
The text says that “fundamental rights in the workplace must be restored, the social, redistributive nature of pensions should be maintained, the protection of housing must be maintained and there should be decent salaries and pensions, health care and education for all.”
“We say ‘no’ to austerity policies in Greece and Europe. The struggles of our people will win,” the announcement concludes.
So far, so good, but the irony is that members of the ruling party accuse the party of neoliberal policies, imposing austerity, succumbing to the creditors’ blackmailing and all the clichés that in essence brought SYRIZA to power.
How fitting that the people who are the backbone of the government that has imposed the harshest austerity measures so far, call on Greeks to protest against the government! We are talking about the new play in the theater of the absurd that is happening in Greece in the past few months.
So, Greece has a government that publicly says that they will implement policies they don’t believe in! They promise they will fulfill their bailout obligations but complain that the people who proffer the bailout funds force us to do things we don’t want. Without ever telling Greek people what actual policies they would like to implement. Because promises of a “fair society,” “good salaries and pensions” or “power to the people” are not actual governing but wishful thinking.
This back and forth shows a government that would prefer the role of the opposition and the heroics of saying ‘no’ to everything. People who would prefer to strike instead of doing any kind of work. It is just that the money and the perks when in power are too good to give up. Let’s see if Alexis Tsipras will lead another demonstration rally like in the good old days of defiance when in the opposition seats in parliament. After all this is what he and his party comrades are comfortable with. Demonstrating and shouting slogans is a lot of fun. But actual governing in order to realize what these slogans mean requires a lot of effort.
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