The Congress of the Party of the European Left (EL) begun this Friday, in Berlin, with a call for a Europe of peace against the growing militarisation of Europe and the increasingly worrying policies of the EU. Bern Riexinger, Co-Chair of Die Linke, was the first to take the floor to welcome the more than 220 delegates and 118 guests, coming from 40 countries, participating in this congress that has the motto “Building Alliances”.

After speaking about unemployment, deindustrialization, reduction of rights and other consequences of the austerity policies, Riexinger focused in the hope represented by the youth that opposes to the TTIP with big demonstrations in Germany and in other countries, in the work deregulation law of Hollande in France, in those who voted ‘no’ in the Italian referendum and in the forces of left that have grown in Portugal, Spain and Slovenia. He called for the solidarity against competitiveness, especially the one exerted by the Merkel Government, at the service of the German industry and big banks, which is destroying Europe. He also denounced the policy of the Minister of Finance of Merkel that continues throttling to Greece for paying the pensions. In this context he concluded his speech underlining the need to join all the political and social forces that want to break with neo-liberalism.

On the construction of alliances spoke Pierre Laurent, the president of the Party of the European Left, when presenting the political document which will be discussed during this weekend at the Congress and whose main decision will be to create a european annual forum to bring together as many progressive forces as possible.

“It is necessary to work with all the forces of left that oppose to austerity and to the capitalism, with all the forces of others political groups, unions, emerging forces, social forces, social democrats willing to break with neo-liberalism, environmentalists and citizens". In short, the essence of the proposal is to create a new space political convergence.

"This is a document to raise the offensive" said Pierre Laurent. He explained that it is a document that proposes "the axes of action" to break with the liberal logic and to give an urgent response on the left to change Europe. He also explained the points in economy, society, peace, environment, rights, women and youth that make up the project in which the European left finds itself in order to advance in the interests of the majority.

Pierre Laurent also made his farewell speech. After leading the EL for the past six years and thank all of those who worked in the party during these years, he said that he would continue working in the EL with other responsibilities, especially in the Forum.

Of these years he valued the strengthening of the party “that has a very solid base in a very important moment in which the social democracy has come to a blind alley and we are the hope” He spoke about the advance of the right wing even further to the right and about the far right. "The peoples of Europe need us more than ever. We cannot allow these forces of capitalism to destroy the peoples of Europe. We have to face this challenge, not only in Europe but all over the world after the election of Trump". “This Congress, will mark the start of a new phase" he concluded.

During the first day of the Congress several guests took the floor such as the newly elected mayor of Berlin, Klaus Lederer, Iole Iliada on behalf of the Foro de Sao Paulo, Jamal Zakari, of Polisario Front, GjermundSkaar, of the Party of the Socialist Left from Norway and Kimitoshi Morihara, of the Communist Party of Japan.

The Coordinator of Transform!, Walter Baier, Gabi Zimmer, from GUE/NGL, the representatives of the Women’s Assembly, took place before the start of the Congress, also took the floor, as well as the responsibles of the different EL working groups, to explain their activity during these last three years.

On this day not all were words. There was also a silent when all rose for a minute of silence by the Commander Fidel Castro, who died a few weeks ago.