The main lessons we draw from the European
elections
The stakes at the elections revolved around who, Macron's party – LRM La République en marche (The Republic on the Move) allied with MoDem (Democratic Movement), or the Rassemblement National [RN – National Rally] of Marine Le Pen, would be in the lead after the first round. The "European" stakes were put at the service of this confrontation. The participation rate of 50.7% has certainly increased (7 points more compared to the record of abstentions in 2014), but this is primarily related to the national issue, and does not reflect any renewed membership in the popular strata of European construction, for the EU and its parliament and its plethora of deputies. It is in the popular circles that the abstention rate is strongest.
This "duel," wanted by the two protagonists, was largely orchestrated by Macron. From this point of view, he suffered a failure: not only is his list not in the lead, but his score, compared to that of the first round of presidential elections, did not increase. He is more and more a right-wing candidate, who has won a part of the right-wing electoral base that does not recognize itself in the line of Wauquiez (head of The Republicans – translator’s note). The collapse of the LR (The Republicans) list, led by the very right-wing Bellamy (who increased his reactionary statements in the last days of the campaign) testifies.
The RN list got 23.3% of the votes, which is obviously worrying. It garners a lot of voices among the sectors that are close to the yellow vests. It is in these areas and regions that the RN gets its highest numbers and it is also where the electoral mobilization has been stronger.
It also attracted the votes all the tendencies of the extreme right and reaction that could, through several candidates, during this campaign, show their hatred of migrants, of Muslims, etc. These candidates served as spokespersons of positions that Marine Le Pen herself preferred not to put forward.
The political current that can speak of victory is undoubtedly the EELV (Europe Ecology – The Greens), which achieved a high vote. The protest movement of some of the youth, who were still mobilized in "climate" marches the day before the elections, has in many EU countries contributed to the high votes of the ecology parties that were running. If all the parties tried to capture the votes of this mass movement, by "greening" their program, it is the parties or movements that mobilize mainly and for a long time on these questions which appeared the most legitimate to bring this question, especially at the European level. Macron tried in a rough way to "win votes of the EELV," announcing on the eve of the elections pseudo-measures for the preservation of the environment: he failed, so great is the distance between some of his words and the reality of his policy, serving the monopolies of agribusiness, pharmacy chemistry, not to mention nuclear power.
The Socialist Party "kept itself afloat" by exceeding the 5% mark that allowed it to have seats in the European Parliament. Its main campaign argument was: do not let us be left out of the [European Parliament in] Strasbourg. They want people to forget the years in which it supported the European Socialist Group (PSE) and its policy of alliance with the right of the EPP (European People’s Party) to co-manage the European authorities, at the service of the interests of the monopolies. It is not with some Members of the European Parliament that it will get out of its increasing marginality.
France Insoumise (France Unbowed) led an active campaign to achieve a double-digit vote, like the result of J.L. Mélenchon in the first round of presidential elections. Very active in support for the yellow vests, it tried to the end to present itself as the only "useful” vote, by claiming the leadership of the left opposition pole to Macron. The vote achieved, while not negligible, did not allow the FI to claim this leadership.
We are not happy to see the PCF miss the 3% mark that would have allowed, at least, the reimbursement of its campaign expenses. That said, its campaign for "another Europe" is neither clear nor credible in popular circles. This is also true for other forces that cling to this idea.
In conclusion
The campaign was dominated by distorted and divisive themes, such as "nationalism against progressivity," giving rise to a reactionary escalation against immigration, for more "Security," more "control," etc.
It served Macron to continue to reduce the entire political debate to a clash between his current and the RN. The majority of workers, working people, women, young people, etc. do not identify themselves themselves in this choice. If the movement to the right of political forces, in their speeches and positions, is a reality, if the level of electoral influence of the RN and company is worrying, we are in opposition to all the theses that want to convince us that reaction would be hegemonic in working-class and popular circles: if more than 5 million votes were won by the RN, it also means that the vast majority did not make this choice.
The workers' and people's interests, the first victims of the neoliberal governments and the EU, were absent from this campaign. They will not be represented in the European Parliament.
Paris, May 27, 2019
Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Workers of France
Votes: 47,344,857
Abstentions: 49.88%
The stakes at the elections revolved around who, Macron's party – LRM La République en marche (The Republic on the Move) allied with MoDem (Democratic Movement), or the Rassemblement National [RN – National Rally] of Marine Le Pen, would be in the lead after the first round. The "European" stakes were put at the service of this confrontation. The participation rate of 50.7% has certainly increased (7 points more compared to the record of abstentions in 2014), but this is primarily related to the national issue, and does not reflect any renewed membership in the popular strata of European construction, for the EU and its parliament and its plethora of deputies. It is in the popular circles that the abstention rate is strongest.
This "duel," wanted by the two protagonists, was largely orchestrated by Macron. From this point of view, he suffered a failure: not only is his list not in the lead, but his score, compared to that of the first round of presidential elections, did not increase. He is more and more a right-wing candidate, who has won a part of the right-wing electoral base that does not recognize itself in the line of Wauquiez (head of The Republicans – translator’s note). The collapse of the LR (The Republicans) list, led by the very right-wing Bellamy (who increased his reactionary statements in the last days of the campaign) testifies.
The RN list got 23.3% of the votes, which is obviously worrying. It garners a lot of voices among the sectors that are close to the yellow vests. It is in these areas and regions that the RN gets its highest numbers and it is also where the electoral mobilization has been stronger.
It also attracted the votes all the tendencies of the extreme right and reaction that could, through several candidates, during this campaign, show their hatred of migrants, of Muslims, etc. These candidates served as spokespersons of positions that Marine Le Pen herself preferred not to put forward.
The political current that can speak of victory is undoubtedly the EELV (Europe Ecology – The Greens), which achieved a high vote. The protest movement of some of the youth, who were still mobilized in "climate" marches the day before the elections, has in many EU countries contributed to the high votes of the ecology parties that were running. If all the parties tried to capture the votes of this mass movement, by "greening" their program, it is the parties or movements that mobilize mainly and for a long time on these questions which appeared the most legitimate to bring this question, especially at the European level. Macron tried in a rough way to "win votes of the EELV," announcing on the eve of the elections pseudo-measures for the preservation of the environment: he failed, so great is the distance between some of his words and the reality of his policy, serving the monopolies of agribusiness, pharmacy chemistry, not to mention nuclear power.
The Socialist Party "kept itself afloat" by exceeding the 5% mark that allowed it to have seats in the European Parliament. Its main campaign argument was: do not let us be left out of the [European Parliament in] Strasbourg. They want people to forget the years in which it supported the European Socialist Group (PSE) and its policy of alliance with the right of the EPP (European People’s Party) to co-manage the European authorities, at the service of the interests of the monopolies. It is not with some Members of the European Parliament that it will get out of its increasing marginality.
France Insoumise (France Unbowed) led an active campaign to achieve a double-digit vote, like the result of J.L. Mélenchon in the first round of presidential elections. Very active in support for the yellow vests, it tried to the end to present itself as the only "useful” vote, by claiming the leadership of the left opposition pole to Macron. The vote achieved, while not negligible, did not allow the FI to claim this leadership.
We are not happy to see the PCF miss the 3% mark that would have allowed, at least, the reimbursement of its campaign expenses. That said, its campaign for "another Europe" is neither clear nor credible in popular circles. This is also true for other forces that cling to this idea.
In conclusion
The campaign was dominated by distorted and divisive themes, such as "nationalism against progressivity," giving rise to a reactionary escalation against immigration, for more "Security," more "control," etc.
It served Macron to continue to reduce the entire political debate to a clash between his current and the RN. The majority of workers, working people, women, young people, etc. do not identify themselves themselves in this choice. If the movement to the right of political forces, in their speeches and positions, is a reality, if the level of electoral influence of the RN and company is worrying, we are in opposition to all the theses that want to convince us that reaction would be hegemonic in working-class and popular circles: if more than 5 million votes were won by the RN, it also means that the vast majority did not make this choice.
The workers' and people's interests, the first victims of the neoliberal governments and the EU, were absent from this campaign. They will not be represented in the European Parliament.
Paris, May 27, 2019
Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Workers of France
Some figures
Abstentions: 49.88%
| RN | 5,281,734 | 23.3% | 23 elected | |
| LRM-Modem | 5,076,464 | 22.4 | 23 | |
| EELV | 3,052,533 | 13.5 | 13 | |
| LR | 1,920,601 | 8.5 | 8 | |
| FI | 1,428,480 | 6.3 | 6 | |
| PS | 1,402,129 | 6.2 | 6 | |
| Hamon | 741,252 | Not elected but reimbursed for campaign costs | ||
| PCF | 564,741 | Not reimbursed for campaign costs | ||
The European elections of 2014 were
organized in 7 large regions. The abstention rate was 57.5%
Successful meeting of the Marxist-Leninist parties and Organizations of the ICMLPO in Europe
May 27th, 2019
In May, representatives of the Marxist-Leninist Parties and Organizations of Europe of the International Conference of Marxist-Leninist Parties and Organizations (ICMLPO) met in Spain. In intensive discussions the political and economic development in Europe was discussed and conclusions were drawn from it, which were incorporated in the statement printed below.
Declaration on the Situation in Europe and our Tasks
We, Marxist-Leninist Parties and Organizations of Europe, met in Spain as guests of our brother party the PCE(m-l). We thoroughly discussed the current situation in Europe and our tasks.
The process of building up Europe is taking place in the general context of the crisis of the capitalist-imperialist system: the EU is totally integrated into this system and is a part of it.
The crisis of building up Europe is an expression of the contradictions inherent in the capitalist-imperialist system:
- the contradiction between capital and labor;
- the contradictions among the monopolies and among the imperialist powers;
- the contradictions between the imperialist powers on the one hand and the oppressed nations on the other.
The building up of Europe is a battlefield among the main imperialist powers USA, China and Russia, which are competing and fighting against each other: they are also interfering in the EU to hinder its development as an imperialist competitor.
Today the nationalist policies and protectionism applied by US imperialism, which is still the strongest and most aggressive power, are deeply destabilizing the world and are deepening the contradictions among the imperialist powers. It is continuing to increase the tensions between its European allies in Europe, which are NATO members, and Russia by strengthening the military encirclement of the latter through the stationing of missiles, the deployment of more troops, and large-scale maneuvers in the Nordic countries.
The economic and political conflict with Chinese imperialism deeply affects the EU.
China is developing an active economic policy with political and geo-strategic ambitions, with the aim of expanding its influence in Europe and opening up new markets for its monopolies. The so-called "New Silk Road" concretizes these goals. Taking advantage of the internal contradictions of the EU, China is proposing "deals" on investments with various governments – Greece, Italy and Hungary, but also France and Holland; it also promises the possibilities of exports to its own market. This policy is creating divisions and political as well as economic tensions among the various states of the EU, but also with US imperialism.
China is also extending its influence to Africa, claiming to make a "just" contribution to the economic development of those countries, especially to their infrastructures (roads, railways, bridges, etc.). China is taking control of minerals, oil and land at the expense of the peasants and rural communities. The so-called "equal relations" are not at all equal and in fact are a cover for its imperialist robber-policy and for opening up new markets for its goods. Under the guise of "non-interference in internal affairs," it supports reactionary regimes that oppress their peoples.
Russia is also very active in exploiting the contradictions among European imperialists and capitalists, especially on the issue of gas exports.
Because of its character and its structure, made up of different imperialist and capitalist states, the EU is also subject to the law of uneven development inherent in the capitalist and imperialist system. All these contradictions are developing and working together. They came to light, for example, in the Brexit process, which has not yet been resolved. In any case, the Brexit, whether carried out or not, is weakening the build-up of Europe.
Nevertheless, the crisis affecting the European Union is not stopping the establishment of supranational institutions, such as the European agencies (energy, transport, services, etc.), directives, decrees and laws issued by the European Commission and the Council of Europe (consisting of the governments of the member states), which continue to promote neoliberal policies in favor of the big monopolies.
These mechanisms limit and even suppress the national control and regulatory capacity of the states in important areas such as energy, transport, etc.
The anti-worker and anti-people measures continue to be applied and increase social dumping, the competition of "all against all" and the competition among the workers, etc.
German and French imperialism are pretending to lead the process of the build-up of Europe – in the interests of their own monopolies. But they are also competing with each other. In the current situation, they propose to solve their crisis by expanding their military-industrial base (planes, tanks, drones, missiles, etc.) with the development of a European "defense policy". So far the policy is still in agreement with NATO, especially with the dictate to spend 2% of GDP on the war budget, in particular at the expense of social budgets. This also leads to the "neutral states" of the EU being involved in militarization through their participation in PESCO (Permanent Structured Cooperation).
This tendency towards militarization is spreading all over the world and the EU is participating in it; the EU is not a factor for peace, on the contrary, it is a factor for war.
In order to enforce the reactionary attacks on the workers and people, the bourgeoisies of the European states are developing a policy of repression of social protests: the police state, ever more repressive laws, ever fewer political and social rights, increasing arrests of militant workers, etc. At the same time they promote reactionary, fascist movements and parties that stand for election. They benefit from the crisis of the traditional right-wing and social-democratic parties, which all support the EU and its neo-liberal policies. The aim of these extreme right-wing and even fascist parties is to divide, promote racism and xenophobia and spread reactionary nationalism.
"Africa is our future," say some EU leaders and heads of government. They mean that Africa should be the exclusive market for their products, that mineral resources, water, food, land, energy resources, etc. of the African countries should be there for their monopolies. They even see it as their right to export all kinds of waste (industrial waste, chemical and nuclear waste, etc.). In short, they regard Africa as their property and defend it against the greed of other imperialist powers.
The military presence of some European states in Africa is increasing. French imperialism is the most important military power present in the Sahel and sub-Saharan regions with thousands of soldiers, military bases, etc. It puts pressure on the EU and its member states to send troops and logistical support and to put more and more money into the so-called "war on terror".
This whole policy is the main cause of the spread of misery and of the economic crisis that is afflicting the African countries with consequences that are far more devastating for the workers, peasants and peoples of Africa.
This is also the main cause of the large flows of migrants that affect millions of people, first of all in Africa itself. A small part of them succeed in crossing the Mediterranean to reach Europe.
The EU is developing an aggressive policy against these migrants and is turning into a 'fortress' by organizing military maritime surveillance, causing thousands of deaths. It is also increasing the harassment of migrants within Europe. This is the "European policy of solidarity".
The resistance is growing throughout Europe
We can observe the development of the resistance of the workers and peoples, the resistance of the women and youth against the policy of poverty, which is promoted by every bourgeoisie as well as by the EU as a whole. The struggles for increasing wages and pensions, which have been greatly reduced by the neoliberal policies, to defend the public service (health care, education, public transportation, social security, etc.), which are being attacked by the policy of privatization, against the reduction of the social budgets, the struggles against dismissals, against the expansion of precarious work are increasing. There are also struggles against policies that want to restrict the rights of workers such as collective bargaining, the right to strike, the right to demonstrate, etc.
New sections of the people are joining the struggle against the consequences of the policy of austerity, the increase in tax, which are mainly paid by the workers and the lower strata, as we see in France with the "yellow vests". The organized labor movement is interested in taking over the social demands of this kind of movement in order to strengthen the general movement against capital and the government in the service of the big monopolies.
The struggles are facing aggressive police and judicial repression: The nature of the state and the class character of the violence that it uses against the workers' and people's movement is becoming more and more clear. At the same time, the legitimacy of the resistance of the workers, youth and people in all forms is self-evident.
The mobilization of women for equal and better wages, equal rights and against sexual harassment is developing, as the growing participation of workers, women and men, in the powerful March 8 mobilization shows.
Young people, especially in Europe, have tackled the question of the responsibility of the governments and their policies, as well the large monopolies, for climate change and its catastrophic consequences, especially for the peoples of the poor countries. Some sections of the youth that the view that "it is not the climate that must be changed, but the system". Of course, this is a first step in the consciousness that the capitalist-imperialist system is mainly responsible for the environmental catastrophe.
Resistance is also growing against the expansion of racist and fascist forces in many European countries. This resistance is expressed in different ways and is gaining special strength among sections of the youth.
The danger of an imperialist war is also leading to greater mobilization of the people. The anti-NATO movement, the movement against US bases in Europe and against nuclear weapons in Europe is getting stronger. It is also important to develop the opposition to all forms of the European "defense policy", which only defends the interests of monopolies, especially those of the military-industrial complex, against the peoples. At the same time, we must always clarify the nature of the policies of other imperialist powers such as Russia and China, which are also part of the inter-imperialist struggle. They are not "peaceful" or "possible allies" for the movement against war and imperialism.
In this general context of the intensification of the class struggle and the deepening of the main contradictions of the epoch, we Marxist-Leninist Parties and Organizations of Europe propose the following important tasks:
- The development of an active policy for the unity of the workers on the basis of their class interests and for the unity and struggle of the workers and lower social strata against the offensive of the monopolies and capitalists, the reaction and the war policy of imperialism.
- To develop active solidarity with the workers and peoples of the world, especially the people who suffer and fight against imperialist oppression, aggression and plunder.
- To strengthen our support for the Palestinian people and their organizations in the struggle for their national rights, against Zionism and imperialism.
- To continue and strengthen our solidarity work with the peoples of Turkey against the reactionary Erdogan regime and with the democratic, revolutionary and communist forces. We condemn the attempts of the Erdogan regime to silence the leaders of EMEP through criminal and financial sanctions.
- The fight against the wall of silence over the legitimate struggle of the Sahauri people for self-determination.
We pay special attention to and support the peoples and their revolutionary organizations who are fighting to eliminate their reactionary regimes and for bread, freedom and popular sovereignty, as is the case in Algeria and Sudan. We condemn all attacks and interference of the imperialist powers and reactionary regimes and forces that want to repress these strong popular movements.
We support our brother parties in Africa (especially in Tunisia, Morocco, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast and Benin) who are fighting to give the struggles of their peoples for a "change" a revolutionary character and lead them to national and social liberation,.
One of our special tasks is to build up our organizations, the build-up of vanguard parties of the working class, to help in the creation of M-L parties and organizations in Europe and the strengthening of international solidarity.
We reaffirm our commitment to the revolutionary struggle, for a revolutionary break with the capitalist-imperialist system and for socialism.
Spain, May 2019
Regional Conference of Marxist-Leninist Parties and Organizations, Members of ICMLPO
Workers’ Communist Party Denmark (APK)
Communist Party of the Workers of France – PCOF
Organization for the Construction of a Communist Workers' Party of Germany (Arbeit Zukunft)
Communist Platform, for the Communist Party of the Proletariat of Italy
Marxist-Leninist organization Revolusjon of Norway
Communist Party of Spain (Marxist-Leninists) – PCE(m-l)
Party of Labor of Turkey – EMEP
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