Towards a New Quality of Cooperation of the Forces of Resistance and Democracy,
For a Europe of Solidarity;
The European Left Party expresses its full commitment to be part of this historic challenge

The necessary response of the Left to the existential crisis of Europe and the dismantling of the social model and democracy is strengthening the struggles for a social and democratic foundation of Europe. This objective cannot remain a distant perspective but must become concrete, a task that inspires concrete thinking and action. By calling for a “European Alternative Summit”, our party wished to express this political ambition and its determination to open new paths.
The "ALTERNATIVE EUROPEAN SUMMIT - Against austerity, for a social, democratic and ecologic Europe” organized by the European Left Party and Transform was successful. Because it brought together trade–unionists, politicians and militants from the civil society. The view that new possibilities exist to resist and to propose alternatives was shared widely as well as the determination to address together the enormous challenges ahead of us:

• The struggles against the fiscal treaty and the policy of the troika to prevent the dismantling of democracy in Europe.
• The mobilization against the austerity packages and the destruction of the public services.
• The struggle for new political majorities that would carry forward the will for political change.

A new level of social, ecological, democratic and feminist struggles requires more common efforts in Europe. In the face of the current dramatic situation the left social and political actors are called to develop new and intensified forms of relations and cooperation. N ew alliances which link the national and European areas, are required to bring the social and political struggles closer together and  express the necessity of change of power on all levels.

New potentials for such a dynamic exist. Important struggles are taking place in Europe. In many European countries people are in the streets, are on strike and taking different forms of action for their social and democratic rights. Especially the social struggles of the Greek people, the general strikes in Belgium, Portugal and Spain, the mobilization of the Left forces in the French election campaign are encouraging signs of resistance and the will to fight back. They are not only important in their own countries but give rise to hope for the people in Europe. They reach out and send messages of encouragement to regain self esteem and dignity all over Europe.

However, despite their growing strength and determination, it is still not enough. We, as a political party of the European left, also need to intensify our efforts and to say clearly: Resistance against austerity and authoritarian tendencies is firmly linked with the idea of a political alternative.

We experience today that relevant parts of the trade unions, the movements and the political left agree to a large extent in their analysis. In many countries we see the left parties making progress. But these positive developments require an adequate political response of the Left at the European level as well.

Today we can identify the main areas of work and mobilization: Expanding the social and political struggles against austerity; reclaiming democracy; building a common European space in an open and inclusive process. The aim is to create hegemony over neo-liberalism and to achieve a radical change in the European construction and politics.

The "Joint Social Conference" and the "Alternative Summit" end of March 2012 have shown that a multitude of forces seem to open the way to an unprecedented process in which trade union organisations, movements and political forces could cooperate aiming at changing the balance of power. This is a way that can strengthen both social movements and the European Left.

In the face of the new possibilities, the EL involves itself in this process, which will allow different forces to overcome contradictions and work together for an alternative whose objective is radical political re-orientation. The EL commits all its efforts to contribute to open up a political space for discussion, development and action for a new social and democratic Europe.
EL Executive Board,
22.04.2012, Madrid