The Council of Chairpersons of the EL met in Athens, in 14 March 2015, to evaluate the current situation in Greece and discuss on further political initiatives concerning the intensification of our common, European struggle against the neoliberal strategy of austerity.

The victory of SYRIZA in 25 January constitutes a historical victory of the Greek people who mandated the new government to put an end to the destructive policy of internal devaluation and austerity and sent a strong message to Europe, in the direction of democracy, solidarity and social progress.

The change of government in Greece signals the beginning of a new era for Europe. The return of politics in the foreground of the European process and the first political ruptures that were caused in Europe after the overall stance of the Greek government, constitute encouraging signs for the next period. During this new phase of negotiations, the framework discussion has changed throughout Europe, creating, in parallel, a strong solidarity movement. The reinforcement of the solidarity of the peoples of Europe is a duty of utmost centrality, for the perspective of reinforcing pan-European social struggles and changing the balance of power in Europe.

A possible achievement of smaller or bigger victories by the Greek government in the next steps of the on-going, hard negotiation with the political representatives of European neoliberalism will signal the end of the TINA (“There Is No Alternative”) doctrine, encourage the fight of the European peoples against austerity and intensify progressive political developments throughout Europe.

We underline the fact that the fight of the Greek people and the Greek government is not a fight for the present and future of their own country; Greece is the frontline of the struggle for the present and future of Europe. For this reason, we re-affirm our determination to intensify our common political initiatives in the following period for the enlargement of the European front against austerity and the wider promotion of our alternative European project.

The European Left continues to fight for a drastic renegotiation of public debts, the termination of austerity policies and the transition to a new phase of public investments for job creation, restoration of social services and sustainable growth projects.

In this direction, we will use all the existing opportunities and forthcoming international meetings to coordinate our actions with social movements, trade-unions, cultural and scientific associations, intellectuals etc:

1. 1) We will meet in Frankfurt in 18 March, to demonstrate against the current role and the mission of the ECB and manifest our demand for its democratic control and its transformation into a direct lender of last resort.
2. 2) We will meet in the World Social Forum in Tunis, to unite our voices with the progressive social and political forces of North Africa and the Middle East.
3. 3) We will organize the European Forum of Alternatives in Paris, in 30-31 May 2015, to create another important space of convergence of European actors fighting for change.
4. 4) We will mobilize our institutional representatives in local, national and European level, in the direction of elaborating and presenting common institutional initiatives in their respective parliaments, concerning the termination of austerity measures and the implementation of measures for employment, sustainable growth and social cohesion.
5. 5) In the next weeks and months, we will mobilize our forces for the creation of open, democratic and inclusive Alliances Against Austerity in every European country. These Alliances will be based on a common, consensual political framework of demands and alternative proposals, which we aim to embrace all available social and political forces in our respective countries.
6. 6) We call upon all progressive, anti-austerity actors, to declare 1 May 2015 as a “European Day Against Austerity” and turn the scheduled rallies into unitary rallies for change in Europe.

The Council of Chairpersons of the Party of the European Left

 Athens, 14 March 2015