The European Left (EL) congratulates the people of Tunisia on their first year of Freedom from dictatorship. The courage of the protesters in Tunisia in last winter made the previously unthinkable possible: on the 14 ^th of January 2011 the dictator Ben Ali had to flee to Saudi-Arabia. These events triggered a series of uprisings and political changes which are still ongoing. The European Left (EL) considers this to be a clear sign that the real political power is and remains with the people. The courage of the Arab peoples in their struggle for freedom, social justice and democracy is encouragement and exemplary for the struggle in many European countries against the dictatorship of neoliberal market ideologies.

We are concerned that reactionary forces in Tunisia, Egypt and other Arab countries are trying to profit from the rebellions and that the rich and powerful countries are trying to hijack the Arab revolutions in order to further their own interests and to take control of the region. It is our task to prevent further military interventions in the region and to stop the European Union from trying to blackmail the Arab countries into economic and political relationships which will only increase poverty and reduce democratic freedom.

The so called Arab Spring has created a space for the Arab left and progressive forces to organize, to mobilize and to change the politics in their own countries as well as inspiring people all over the world. It therefore is a global struggle to defend this space and to denounce all attempts of repression and counterrevolution. The success of the Arab revolutionary process depends largely on the economic development, especially on stopping the growth of poverty. In this fight for economic and political justice the European Left and the revolutionary forces in the Arab countries are standing side by side.  The struggle continues!

Party of European Left

Berlin, 14 January 2012