The KKE is the true formidable opponent of the policies that serve the interests of capital

The heart of the 52nd Festival of KNE–“Odigitis” beat strongly in the working-class neighbourhoods of Piraeus. Its political and cultural events culminated in a large political rally addressed by the General Secretary of the KKE Central Committee, Dimitris Koutsoumbas. It was a rally marked by special energy, determination, and mass participation.

Among other things, the GS of the CC of the KKE noted in his speech that “today, all developments make it clear that the gap is widening between the potential that exists to radically improve our lives and the way we actually live under the current exploitative system. The advances we see around us in science and technology, the achievements of Artificial Intelligence, the leaps in labour productivity —all of these are rendered meaningless in practice because the priority is the profits of the few, of the large business groups (...) A state that exists solely to safeguard the greatest injustice of all —the exploitation of man by man— can never be transformed into a true ‘state governed by the rule of law’.

The GS of the CC of the KKE criticized aspects of the New Democracy government’s anti-popular domestic and foreign policies, while also highlighting yet another attempt to deceive the people and the youth by the former prime minister of SYRIZA, A. Tsipras, through the new party he founded (ELAS). The aim is to contain popular discontent and channel it into harmless outlets. He characteristically noted that such social-democratic parties constitute “a lifeline for this decayed system”.

D. Koutsoumbas also emphasized the need for a popular opposition led by the KKE. As he stated: “Here in Piraeus, we can also see powerful examples that illuminate the reality facing the working class. The reality of confronting today’s brutality. The reality of confidence in its own strength. The reality of standing shoulder to shoulder with the KKE, which is at the heart of every honest and victorious struggle waged in these neighbourhoods.

The February strike demonstrated in practice the power of the working class! It was a strike that made history, bringing together dockworkers, seafarers, metalworkers, teachers, healthcare workers, municipal employees, and industrial workers. It took place simultaneously in seven countries and twenty Mediterranean ports under the slogan: “Dockworkers won’t work for war!” and proved that without the workers, nothing moves.

The same is demonstrated by the major struggles for collective labour agreements among COSCO dockworkers, the metalworkers in Perama, and seafarers fighting to protect their lives; the struggles at Teleperformance and the establishment of a company-based union; and the improved correlation of forces within the Piraeus Labour Centre, which, with the communists at the forefront, has given new momentum to the organization of the struggle.

This experience proves something else as well: that the KKE is the true formidable opponent of the policies that serve the interests of capital. It has no ties to business groups, the European Union, or NATO —in short, to the system as a whole. That is why its forces can be at the forefront everywhere. Because it has a vision for power and governance that addresses the root causes of problems, not merely their consequences.

That is why we say to the people of Piraeus: rather than suffering under a one-party government or a coalition of parties, choose at this juncture the Party that will constitute a genuine popular opposition, stand by your side to defend you, and pave the way for real political change, for the overthrow of the system, and for a new perspective.

In the working-class city of Piraeus, in the working-class neighbourhoods of Drapetsona, Keratsini, Perama, Nikaia, and Korydallos, workers, their natural allies, and their children have a choice: to join forces with the KKE. To strengthen the force that stands steadfastly by their side. To amplify the voice that refuses to be silenced. (...) With optimism, with confidence in the power of an organized and determined people! With faith that the wealth we produce can serve those who create it! With the KKE leading the way, with a mass and strong KNE, for a hopeful tomorrow, for a new society, for socialism!”