PRAGOTI

the KKE statement actually exposes its fallacies. For instance: "The KKE assesses the election results and tendencies with the objective conditions as its criterion, it does not determine its stance based on the electoral strength or electoral shrinkage of the other political parties." If the electoral strength or shrinkage of political parties is not a reflection of "objective conditions", then what is? Why contest elections then?

As per KKE's analysis the elections results are an outcome of people's anger with austerity but laden with "illusions" that the system can be reformed through immediate measures. This is KKE's explanation for SYRIZA getting 16-17% of the votes (gaining over 12%) while KKE received 8-9% (up by less than 1%). So a preference for SYRIZA's proposals to cancel the EU-IMF loan conditionalities, renegotiate the loans and reverse the austerity measures over KKE's call for a socialist revolution ("disengagement from the EU and the unilateral cancellation of the debt, the socialization of the means of production, the productive cooperatives of the people, the nationwide planning...") is explained away as nothing but mere "illusions" on the part of the people.

Perhaps the people are more interested in what is doable on an immediate basis to provide relief. Why make reforms the enemy of revolution? Why can't peoples support be galvanized through radical reforms and move towards more revolutionary steps on that basis? A dialogue between SYRIZA and KKE on the programmatic content of a future government would surely open up these questions.

Rather than showing such courage and confidence the KKE is adopting an escapist position under the garb of classical sectarianism: "The KKE will not support any government, no matter what its composition, which will emerge from the post-election collaboration of the parties, whatever title it may have. This government will not provide anything positive for the people. On the contrary it will respond to the needs and interests of capital, the choices of the EU and IMF. For the KKE to agree to participate in a government, the party would not have to simply carry out a small retreat, but it would have to turn its programme and political line upside down, and make unacceptable compromises regarding the present and future of the people’s interests. The people do not need such a KKE."

The people of Greece have decisively rejected the PASOK and ND for surrendering to EU-IMF conditionalities and delivered a clear mandate against the neoliberal austerity measures. A large section dumped the PASOK in favour of the SYRIZA. Even the rightwing parties which have gained in vote share have contested elections in an anti-austerity platform. The people want an immediate alternative. Any Communist or Left force worth its salt should rise up to the occasion and respond positively to this people's mandate.