While GLW was on its break over the New Year period, the news came that a snap election is to be held in Greece on January 25.
GLW has been regularly reporting on the situation in Greece in recent years — the imposition of vicious austerity measures by the European Union and the Greek government and the rising popularity of the left-wing coalition SYRIZA.
As the election approaches, polls put SYRIZA in the lead. It is likely to win, though may have to enter a coalition in order to form government.
In response to the great financial crisis, most governments around the world implemented the same strategy — bail out the 1%, the bankers and capitalists who caused the crisis, and make the 99% pay the costs.
In Greece this strategy was implemented most viciously. The government agreed to a European bailout and to demands to implement austerity measures to squeeze the poor to pay back its debt, which, given that its debt is 175% of its GDP, it will never do anyway.
Meanwhile, the bailout money went straight to creditors and the ordinary people of Greece never saw any of it.
As a result, incomes have dropped by about one third, a quarter of the population are unemployed (about half of young people) and the social safety net has been slashed. Many are left homeless, scrounging through rubbish bins for food and diseases like malaria have reappeared.
SYRIZA’s popularity is a result of its commitment to not honour the previous government’s agreement with Europe. It wants a large part of the debt cancelled and any future payments tied to economic growth.
It promises to reverse austerity measures, to increase pensions and to introduce subsidies for housing, food and electricity.
If SYRIZA does form government in Greece, it will be the first in Europe to say no to the neoliberal strategy of using austerity to make the poor pay for the crisis brought on by the 1%.
Given the historic importance of these elections GLW has made the decision to have two correspondents in Greece to cover the elections. Our Barcelona-based Europe correspondent, Dick Nichols, will be there and Viv Messimeris will flying there from Australia.
GLW also made the decision to bring Dick to Australia for a speaking tour. As well as reporting on events in Greece through the pages of GLW, Dick and Viv will be available to report in person about the elections and their outcome at public meetings around Australia. (Keep an eye out for details of events in future issues of GLW.)
The costs of international airfares are, of course, a bit of a hit to our shoestring budget. Especially coming on the heels of the sleepy New Year period where our income tends to slow quite considerably. Consequently, GLW put is putting out a call for urgent donations to help cover the costs. Several supporters have already contributed $1400 after the plan to send two correspondents to Greece was announced by email.
Last year GLW supporters raised $185,351 for the fighting fund – a great effort, though short of our rather ambitious target of $250,000.
You can help us cover the historic events in Greece by donating to the GLW fighting fund on the toll-free line at 1800 634 206 (within Australia). Donations can also be made online at greenleft.org.au.
Direct deposits can also be made to Green Left Weekly, Commonwealth Bank, BSB 062-006, Account no. 00901992. Otherwise, you can send a cheque or money order to PO Box 394, Broadway NSW 2007.
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