TKP General Secretary Kemal Okuyan evaluated the recent wave of protests spilling onto the streets in Europe on the "Communist Perspective" (Komünist Bakış) program broadcast on soL TV. Responding to questions from journalist İrem Yıldırım, Okuyan stated that while the prominent demands vary across different countries, the common ground for the actions is a reaction to the injustices created by capitalism.
Pointing to France's historical significance in terms of social struggles, Okuyan noted that the cost of living, poverty, education costs, and the housing problem are intertwined in the country. According to Okuyan, the movement in France has not yet settled on a clearly anti-establishment line, but it carries a dynamic moving in that direction.
Okuyan stated that while different topics have come to the fore in countries such as Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Greece, housing, education, and poverty have emerged as the fundamental issues. Arguing that large capital groups in Europe are not going through a difficult period, Okuyan expressed that despite this, broad segments of society are reacting to the decline in their living standards.
“THE LEFT-WING APPROACH THAT DOES NOT QUESTION THE SYSTEM HAS COLLAPSED”
Making assessments regarding the European left during the program, Okuyan said that the left-wing approach, which has moved away from questioning the system over the last 30-40 years, is experiencing a serious impasse. Citing the examples of Podemos and Syriza, Okuyan stated that broad masses of people are giving "reactions that question capitalism without realizing it."
Okuyan argued that Jean-Luc Mélenchon in France has been able to generate energy against the Macron administration but has not been able to carry this mobility onto an anti-establishment line. Stating that the actions in Europe could affect political balances, Okuyan expressed the view that this process creates an opportunity for the left to return to its own foundations.
It appears that the actions in Europe have begun to escape to the left. There are various organizations. The common feature of them all is taking an anti-capitalist stance.
Okuyan said that the rise of the right in Europe is now also being taken into account by all actors. Touching on Marine Le Pen's possible electoral performance in France, Okuyan argued that right-wing governments would also struggle to produce a solution that would eliminate existing social tensions.
Suggesting that capitalism is turning toward suppressing labor and the public sphere more in order to protect profit margins, Okuyan said that artificial intelligence, automation, and war preparations should be considered alongside this picture. Stating that Europe is rapidly arming, Okuyan expressed that the cost of armament is being loaded onto the backs of poor neighborhoods.
Upon being reminded of MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli's warning to young people not to "envy France," Okuyan said that there are also discussions about housing problems, poverty, and corruption in Turkey. Stating that such social movements cannot be explained by external forces, Okuyan argued that the main factor is capitalism itself.
The most fundamental responsibility of citizens is to react to the injustice and inequality that are the source of this system. This is the criterion of patriotism.
Stating that the anger of the poor is not limited only to Europe, Okuyan noted that similar dynamics are seen in regions such as Latin America and India. Saying "Europe is the center of class struggles," Okuyan stated that developments in Germany and England could also be decisive, adding that 2027 will be a remarkable year for European and world politics.
News Source: 12punto
