For the first time, an international general strike will be organized in Spain, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus and Malta on November 14 ^th . The ETUC calls this day for a day of action and solidarity throughout Europe. In many countries, including France and Belgium, the mobilisations will be important, with sectorial strikes and demonstrations.

The Party of the European Left expresses its unconditional support to this day of action, and a special tribute to all employees who will strike for the rights of all the peoples of Europe.

November 14th will be the day when the workers of Europe will raise their voice against the offensive of markets and of European and national leaders, against their rights, wages, pensions...

A historic milestone will be reached in the capacity of the workers of Europe to act together. This coordinated struggle, faced with austerity and "measures of competitiveness," is a real hope.

Built on the competition among workers, the fiscal and social dumping, the European Union is doomed to failure if solidarity, employment and productive recovery do not become priorities.

Built far, very far from citizens' concerns, the EU has become one of the most sophisticated machines of confiscating popular sovereignty, as it has been demonstrated in the measures in the fiscal treaty.

The fact that the forces of different countries take the floor and coordinate themselves against this new tyranny is legitimate and healthy. Instead of forcing through - as in Greece with the new memorandum - and responding the whims of employers - as in France with 20 billion euros gifts to companies - national and European leaders should support the struggles and break this logic which undermines Europe and feeds the worst nationalist, regionalist, xenophobic or communitarian closures.

To create a social Europe with and for the workers will remain the approach of the European Left.

Party of the European Left
November 7th, 2012