During the European elections campaign, with the candidacy of Alexis Tsipras, we have made steps forward, strengthened the voice of the European Left and increased the weight of the GUE-NGL in the EP, which counts now 52 members, having welcomed new powerful political entities.

However, these improvements have been achieved in a context of enduring deterioration of the economic and social situation in Europe, the intensification of austerity policies and of the political and democratic crisis, the progress of many populist forces of extreme right, and new dangers for peace. Europe remains plunged into a major crisis, with mass unemployment, explosion of poverty and inequalities, social dumping and low public investment. Everywhere, there is stagnation, recession, even deflation. A new economic and financial hurricane is possible if Europe does not change its orientations.

Initiatives of the European Left are needed more than ever to be at the height of the necessity for alternative left policies in response to the crisis. The Athens' Executive Board decides a new stage in the implementation of its action to make 2015 a useful year for the European peoples, and new political progress for the European Left.

We decide to intensify our action in 5 ways.

1- Acting everywhere to get out of austerity, for social and ecological recovery, for youth employment and public services. The EL demands the suspension of EU fiscal treaty, an European agreement for the abolition of a big part of the public debts, a treatment plan of the debt with solidarity, a new role for the ECB, the funding of a massive investment for a new type of social and ecological development. On the occasion of the debate on the Juncker's plan, the EL will discuss across Europe its proposals for a real alternative to austerity.

2- Intensify the campaign to defeat the TTIP/CETA/TISA. First European Day of Action was held on October 11. The European Citizens' Initiative proposed by the social movements was rejected and is now led as “self-organised” European citizen's initiative (stop-ttip.org). The EL decides to boost the work of revealing the contents of this agreement, taking part to the citizen mobilization campaigns and non-institutional petition as well as actions led by left parlemantarians at all levels in the institutions, participating in all kind of campaigns and giving a space to this issue at the European Forum for Alternatives in May in Paris.

3- For the women's rights. The feminist victory against Gallardon law in Spain is an encouragement to continue the battle over Europe. The EL will continue the struggle for the rights to free abortion and contraception, to maternity leave, to be informed. The EL launches a new campaign for the labour rights of the women as they are the first victims of austerity policies and social dumping.

4- For the success of COP21. The first international mobilizations in September were significant. The summit will take place in Paris in December 2015. It is an objective of the EL to contribute to its success in order to obtain the ratification by the governments of binding and differentiated targets for the struggle against climate change’s causes.

5- For peace and international solidarity. The EL is warning on threats that imperialist aggressive policies pose to the world peace, including Europe. We will strengthen our efforts for peace in Ukraine, against actions of openly fascists groups, against the NATO-isation of the European Union; for the recognition of the State of Palestine; for the liberation and reunification of Cyprus, for the solidarity with fighters of Kobane and rights of the Kurdish population to a democratic autonomy. The EL will strengthen in this spirit its international relations with the forces of the left in Latin America, in the Mediterranean area (notably with the next Mediterranean conference), in China and in other emerging regions and countries.

We decide to make new steps for political convergence in Europe

A possible victory of SYRIZA in Greece is a challenge for the entire European left.

2015 will be a year of major political confrontation in Greece and SYRIZA's victory is feasible. All the forces of the European left are concerned and committed to support proposals presented by SYRIZA in order to end the crisis. A favourable solution for the people of Greece would be the beginning of a solution for all the European peoples.

A European forum for alternatives in Paris on May 2015

We propose to hold the Forum on May 2015 in Paris. The proposal is to organise it on May 30 and 31 in reference to the 10^th anniversary of the victory of the "no" to the European constitutional treaty (May 29, 2005). The elaboration should be wide open to all available forces available to work with us for a left alternative to austerity, members and observers of PGE, other forces of the GUE/NGL group, other left and ecologist forces in touch with us, networks and social and civic forces, unions... We propose to launch a European appeal, which could be declined in appeals in each country.

A Southern Europe forum for a social exit of the crisis, in Barcelona on January 24^th 2015. Under the initiative of SYRIZA, the United Left of Spain and Cataluña, the organisation of a southern Europe summit is planned in Barcelona. The EL supports this initiative and will be involved in its success, starting from the appeal “A cooperation proposal for a social exit to the European crisis”.

Meeting of the Parlacon, autumn 2015 in Helsinki

We propose to organise a new edition of the Parlacon that gather MEPs, national MPs, local authorities of the European Left, to reinforce the coordination of our struggles against austerity.