ECM 2012, Contribution of the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia [En.]

The Eighth Congress of the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSČM) took place in May this year. It concluded that the recent period clearly showed what is the real relation of capitalism to social interests and needs of majority of citizens about. It named the real reasons, why the level of social security was higher in states of Western Europe till the year 1989 than it is now, when social tensions and rightful anger of people are growing not only in the integrated Europe, but also in many other parts of the world.

One of the reasons is also the fact that there is no competition to capitalism which was presented by socialist states in Europe. I mean those states where peoples ‘social interests were the priority. When the Soviet Union existed as an opposing force to the West presented by its consumer society, free market and a constantly defended individualism. At that time, in the second half of the 20th century, there were many socialist and social-democratic governments in a lot of European countries. Governments, which by their attitudes and under the pressure of the USA, contributed to subsequent geopolitical changes in Europe. New situation in the Soviet Union helped them to do so. Politics of several of these governments was full of words about wide democracy and breaching of human rights in former Eastern bloc. At the same time they openly joined the war in Yugoslavia. These governing parties and their trusting citizens gained the impression that the development in the social area is stable and that they are able to overcome some minor economic crises. Soon they found out that the opposite is true. Because already at that time there were some signals about a deep economic crisis to come. Europe continued in its integration process. After the fall of the Berlin Wall and dissolution of countries of the Socialist bloc the signals of the crisis were postponed. There were new challenges in Europe. Social-democratic and socialist governments were popular and on the top of their powers. The so called “democratic wave” reached also countries of former Central and Eastern Europe with all its pluses and minuses. Capitalism took a new breathe. In the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Baltic States and other countries it began to ruin everything that stood in its way. European communities were transformed into the EU, which opened its arms to newly capitalistic states. Multinational corporations, financial capital, powerful forces headed by NATO did not have any reason to cover their real face anymore. They reached what they wanted. Social-democratic and socialist governments fulfilled their tasks and had to step back. Right wings parties managed to get into the leadership.

The process of transformation in countries of the former socialist bloc affected deeply also communist parties and workers movements there. Several parties broke up, many of them changed their name, and many of them were prohibited. Some of them switched into social-democratic platform. Those which resisted realized that it would be necessary to get back to generally applicable ideas of Marxism and to start realizing them in totally new conditions of current capitalist society. The current development in Europe is affected by an exceptionally strong anticommunist movements directed against our parties. I mean alliances of right wing parties, mass-media, different pseudo –initiatives and individuals.

Communist party of Bohemia and Moravia means no difference. There was and still is a task in front of us to look for new forms of work, to gain allies but not only among workers, to use all the possibilities which the state legislation offers, to get into the state representation, and cooperate with trade unions and civil initiatives. We need to look for some alliances with central-left parties, not at a cost of compromises, but at concrete points which could be beneficial for non-privileged citizens. We are aware of the fact, that the Communist party does not exist only for itself, but it bears a big responsibility for the fight for rights and future of these non-privileged people.

Practically all participants here, we live in similar social conditions. We are witnesses of concentration of money and power reaching enormous dimensions. Together with this fact the real “quality” of western economics leading by the USA manifests itself. By artificial interventions, such as increasing of state debts, they only postpone the state bankruptcy.

The end of summer 2008 brought from the USA into Europe the financial and later economic and social crisis. The EU started to implement various austerity measures. EU member states started to support big companies being close to bankruptcy and big banks, which paradoxically profit also in this crisis, from public funds. It turned out how the interconnection of supranational economics was not able to face the crisis. It also turned out that many governments live on debts. Plenty of small groups, mainly the financial oligarchy, used to dictate and still dictate how the particular states should fight the crisis in conformity with their interests. All this, at detriment of non-privileged people. A direct attack on existing social achievements of workers was launched. The unemployment grew, wages and pensions are shortened, and governments mercilessly adopt austerity measures mainly in the field of social expenses. Young people are losing the perspective, elderly are afraid of the future.

The crisis, which affected the whole society economically, financially, socially, culturally, but also in terms of values, hides in itself a big danger. It seriously endangers the peace. And we know very well how the capitalism would solve such a situation – with a war. Together with geopolitical changes and crisis there comes hand in hand a fight for natural and energetic resources, water and food. This tense situation can be beneficial for nationalist, ultra-right and neo-fascist parties.

There is much more at stake today, the game is about a future of a human existence. That´s why the left has to strengthen its fight for world peace and world security. And make good use of steps of those countries, which defend peace in the international arena or the UN Security Council.

The situation in Europe and the EU is well-known. Therefore we think that in such a way how right wing and neoliberal governments in the EU are able to hang together even in conflicts and unite their attitudes against rightful demands of workers, youth, elderly, immigrants and small and medium enterprises, we should also find a way of common fight against these forces. There is a time for common solutions. Disintegrated Left can only serve in favor of interests and aims of the Right, and definitely not in favor of wide non-privileged public.