Coalition of the Radical Left

May 22, 2012 ( as a party )

SYRIZA - Enotiko cinema Niko Metopo (Greek ΣΥΡΙΖΑ - Ενωτικό Κοινωνικό Μέτωπο, SYRIZA - United Social Front, officially short SYRIZA - EKM ) is a Greek party.

The party was in May 2012 as a replacement for the existing electoral alliance Synaspismos tis Rizospastikis Aristeras (Greek Συνασπισμός της Ριζοσπαστικής Αριστεράς, Coalition of the Radical Left, abbreviated SY.RIZ.A or SYRIZA ) formed in view of the elections in June 2012.

• 2.1 deal with the financial crisis
• 2.2 Internal politics and constitutional reforms
• 2.3 Fiscal Policy
• 2.4 Work policy
• 2.5 Social Policy
• 2.6 Health policy
• 2.7 Environmental policy
• 2.8 Foreign and Security Policy

• 3.1 Controversy over Aegean territorial
• 3.2 Cooperation with the " Independent Greeks "

History

Establishment of the electoral alliance

The predecessor organization SYRIZA formed before the parliamentary elections in 2004 as an alliance of nine left-wing parties and organizations, among which the party Synaspismos was the largest.

In addition to the Synaspismos belonged to the alliance groups that had emerged from the Communist Party KKE, PASOK and from the Greens and small organizations with a Trotskyist and Maoist claim. Specifically worked in the SYRIZA with:

• The Coalition of the Left of Movements and Ecology (Greek Συνασπισμός της Αριστεράς των κινημάτων και της Οικολογίας, SYNASPISMOS tis aristerás ton kinimáton ke tis ikologías ), usually Synaspismos or short ΣΥΝ or SYN
• The Euro -Communist and ecological Renewing Communist Ecological Left and ( Ανανεωτική Κομμουνιστική Οικολογική Αριστερά Ananeotiki Kommounistiki ke Ikologiki Aristera AKOA )
• The Socialist Democratic Social Movement DIKKI ( Δημοκρατικό Κοινωνικό Κίνημα ΔΗΚΚΙ, Dimokratiko cinema Niko Kinima )
• The Trotskyist Internationalist working people left ( Διεθνιστική Εργατική Αριστερά ΔΕΑ, Diethnistiki Ergatiki Aristera DEA), a spin-off of the IS
• Resulting from the cleavage of the KKE motion for the combined action of the Left ( Κίνηση για την Ενότητα Δράσης της Αριστεράς, Kinisi gia tin Enotita Drasis tis Aristeras, ΚΕΔΑ, KEDA )
• The Maoist Communist Organization of Greece ( Κομμουνιστική Οργάνωση Ελλάδας, Kommounistiki organosilicon Elladas ) KOE, a member of the ICOR
• The Trotskyist group Red ( Κόκκινο, Kokkino )
• The constituency association Active Citizens ( Πολίτες Ενεργοί, Polites Energi ) by Manolis Glezos.
• The left -ecological eco-socialists Greece ( Οικοσοσιαλιστές Ελλάδας ) -
• The radical left Roza ( Ρόζα ), the political arm of the "Network for Political and Social Rights " ( Δίκτυο για τα Πολιτικά και Κοινωνικά Δικαιώματα )
• The Anti-Capitalist Political Group APO ( Αντικαπιταλιστική Πολιτική Ομάδα - ΑΠΟ )
• The Radicals ( Ριζοσπάστες )

Spin-offs or former parts:

• 2010, split by Fotis Kouvelis DIMAR from
• The Trotskyist movement ( Ξεκίνημα, Xekinima ), member of the CWI in 2011 left the alliance, however, is continuing to work with him

There were also some well-known individuals left.

Electoral successes of the Alliance

In the parliamentary elections of 2004 SYRIZA won 3.26% of the vote and six seats. However, the alliance fell apart after largely because it was dominated by Synaspismos.

2007 SYRIZA was revived. Alekos Alavanos ( born 1950 ) was elected as the new President, who led a left turn. He was succeeded in February 2008 Alexis Tsipras (* 1974). The party grouping similar profiled itself as a militant opposition to the ruling party New Democracy and socialist vocabulary. Other groups joined SYRIZA.

In the 2007 parliamentary elections SYRIZA reached 5.04% of the vote and 14 seats in the Vouli.

In the parliamentary elections of 2009, the share of the vote fell to 4.6%; so SYRIZA won 13 seats.

The non ausdiskutierte dispute within the alliance, whether in the majority for a coalition with the conditions of the social democratic PASOK came into consideration, culminated in June 2010 in the fact that DIMAR seceded from Synapismos. DIMAR moved to the 2012 elections to parliament; June 2012 to June 2013 she assisted the Government of Andonis Samaras.

In the parliamentary elections of May 6, 2012 SYRIZA won with 16.8 % under the New Democracy most electoral votes, more than PASOK. She received 52 seats in the Greek Parliament. According to the chairman of the largest party in 2012 Tsipras was asked to form a government on 8 May. He used this to publicity appearances; the leaders of the European Union, he informed in writing, the Greek people have explained the promise of austerity measures forced upon him with the election null and void. The attempt of PASOK to forge with New Democracy and DIMAR a coalition government failed because DIMAR made ​​it a condition that SYRIZA must be involved in the government.

Founded as a party and new program

After the electoral success in the election in May 2012 polls saw SYRIZA head to head with the New Democracy party at the forefront of voter support. SYRIZA therefore saw the opportunity to get the most votes for the general elections on 17 June 2012. Since the Greek electoral law of 2008, the strongest party a bonus of 50 additional seats in Parliament, granted, but this only applies to independent parties, not for electoral alliances, SYRIZA filed at the Supreme Court competent for the approval of the parties to choose a declaration by one with which they as a party by the name of SYRIZA - newly founded United Social front ( ΣΥΡΙΖΑ Ενωτικό Κοινωνικό Μέτωπο ).

The new program of SYRIZA for the election on June 17, 2012 was published on 1 June 2012. The first action of a government of the left should be the cancellation of the memorandum [A 1] and its implementing legislation, party leaders announced Tsipras.

Success at the elections in June 2012

In the parliamentary elections on 17 June SYRIZA went again emerged as the second largest party, where she was able to increase its share of the vote to 26.89 % and achieve 71 seats.

The Chairman Tsipras then declared that he go with his party in the opposition and not going to participate in a government led by Samaras ' New Democracy. SYRIZA continue protesting against the planned austerity measures. Especially in the Athens area, where SYRIZA greater support received as a New Democracy, Tsipras will have the population behind.

Despite good values ​​in recent opinion polls declared Tsipras, SYRIZA aspire to no early elections ". It is not the time for tricks, and it is also not the time to overthrow the government "

Program

The financial crisis

SYRIZA calls

• The stock of public debt and renegotiation of the interest due and suspension of payments until the economy has revived and growth and employment have returned.
• The European Union to change the role of the European Central Bank, so they financed States and programs for public investment.
• Raising the income tax to 75 % for all income over € 500,000.
• The nationalization of the banks and also wants to formerly public services and utilities ( railways, airports, post offices, water), which were privatized, put them back into the public sector.

Domestic politics and constitutional reforms

SYRIZA calls for a democratization of the political system, the administration and the security forces.

• The right to vote is to be restructured to a system of proportional representation.
• Privileges of members are to be lost. The immunity of the Minister, which prevents the courts from taking action against members of the government should cease.
• The separation of church and state should be guaranteed.
• The right to education and healthcare is to be anchored.
• For contracts and agreements concluded with Europe, referendums are to be introduced.
• The police should avoid wearing masks and the use of firearms are prohibited at demonstrations. The party sees a training for policemen in social issues.

Fiscal Policy

• Raising taxes on large companies to the European average.
• Introduction of a financial transaction tax and a special tax on luxury goods.
• Prohibition of speculative financial derivatives.
• Abolition of financial privileges for the Church and the shipbuilding industry.
• Measures to combat banking secrecy and the flight of capital abroad.
• Drastic reductions in military spending.

Labor policy

Work Politically calls SYRIZA

• The increase in the standard minimum wage to its previous level of 750 euros per month.
• Equal pay for women and men.
• Furthermore, precarious working conditions are limited and indefinite employment contracts are encouraged.
• Furthermore SYRIZA would like to extend the protection of labor rights and increase the salaries of part-time workers. In addition to collective labor contracts be recovered.
• Inspections of working conditions and the requirements for companies applying for public contracts should, will increase.

Social policy

In social policy, SYRIZA uses especially for the socially disadvantaged in society.

• The unemployed, the homeless and low-income people should be allowed to use the health facilities free of charge.
• Building of the government, banks and churches are to be found for the homeless use.
• Tax cuts for basic commodities are sought.
• Children should get in canteens in public schools free breakfast and lunch.
• People with a migration background to family reunification easier.
• Opening of dining rooms in public schools that offer a free breakfast and lunch for children.
• Grant up to 30 % of the mortgage payments for poor families who can not afford payments due.
• Increase in unemployment benefits.
• Increase of social protection for families with one parent, the elderly, the disabled and families with no income.
• Guarantee of human rights in detention centers for immigrants.

Health policy

For the health SYRIZA believes that an increase in funding for public health to the average European level for essential; the European average lies at 6 % of GDP in Greece at 3%.

• Citizens should not have to pay for the national health services. Private clinics are nationalized and private participation shall be terminated on health care.
• SYRIZA would decriminalize drug use to counter the drug trade. Resources for drug rehab centers will be provided.

Environmental policy

The party is in favor of a favoring of efforts to develop renewable energy and aims to promote the protection of the environment.

Foreign and security policy

SYRIZA calls

• The immediate withdrawal of Greek troops from Afghanistan and the Balkans - not soldiers to be stationed outside the country or in use.
• The demilitarization of the coastal protection and special forces against uprisings.
• The right to conscientious objection of conscience shall be guaranteed by law.
• The military cooperation with Israel is finished and the creation of a Palestinian state be made possible with the 1967 borders.
• Turkey to stable conditions to be negotiated.
• The closing of all foreign bases in Greece and withdrawal from NATO is sought.

Controversies

Controversy surrounding Aegean territorial

In February 2013 SYRIZA Nassos Theodoridis dismissed as their representative in the Human Rights Commission of the Greek Parliament. This had previously indicated that Imia islands belonged to Turkey and Greece should the international 12 nautical mile zone of Turkey to respect. He also named the islands to the Turkish name ' Kardak ', and described the national sovereignty of Greece as an invention which serves to " to lure the oppressed masses." SYRIZA distanced itself from the remarks.

Cooperation with the " Independent Greeks "

On the occasion of the Cypriot financial crisis in March 2013 made ​​SYRIZA with the right-wing populist Independent Greeks ( Anel ) a "common social and political front in support of Cyprus ". On the left, this attempt met with some harsh criticism. Thus, the Communist KKE commented laconically: " The mask is below. [ ... ] The new PASOK is formed step by step. "