Heinz Birbaum considers how the left should respond to the challenges of economic stagnation, social polarization, international tension and the rise of the far right.

It is obvious that we live in difficult times. We are facing a deep crisis – economically, socially, and politically. 

The economy is undergoing a profound transformation process, caused especially by ecological challenges. Economic growth in Europe is rather weak. In Germany the economy is stagnating.

Socially we are confronted with increasing social polarization between rich and poor. Precarious work is widespread. Many people can hardly afford the rising prices for energy, food, and housing. Many people are unsettled, afraid of the future, and dissatisfied with politics.

The situation is exacerbated by increasing international tensions caused by military conflicts such as the wars in Ukraine and in Middle East. And we should not forget the many military conflicts in other regions, for example in Yemen. These conflicts are part of the threatening struggle for global hegemony.

Governments are unable to respond adequately to this crisis and the challenges. Politically, this dissatisfaction primarily goes to the right and especially to the extreme right. Right-wing extreme parties and organizations, including fascist parties, are gaining strength all over Europe.

Despite major scandals such as taking money from Russia, the Alternative für Deutschland is still very strong and according to the polls is in second place in Germany. In Italy we have with Georgia Meloni a fascist politician as prime minister. In France Marine Le Pen is at the top of the polls for the European elections. In Spain the far right is extremely strong. And even in the Nordic countries with a profound social-democratic tradition, such as Sweden and Finland, the far right is part of the government. The upcoming European Parliament elections will see the rise of the right and the extreme right. This leads to profound problems for European development.  We are far away from the social Europe we want.

The rise of the far right threatens democracy. Therefore, the fight against the extreme right and fascist tendencies is crucial not only for the left, but also for progressive and democratic forces. And there is also hope. I’m referring to the very broad and numerous movements against the far right and for democracy in Germany, organized by all democratic forces. Even the representatives of the German government took part, but they ignored the fact that their politics were also responsible for people’s discontent and therefore for the rise of the far right.

In this context I’d like to mention the annual Conference No pasaran organized by the European Left. I think, It’s good, that the EL’s programme for the European Elections begins with a call for the fight against the rise of extreme right-wing and fascist organizations.

The best remedy against the rising far right is a left with convincing politics that fights for an alternative policy, breaking with the neoliberal model. Unfortunately, the left in Europe is rather week and divided. In a situation in which we need broad cooperation between the left and the progressive forces there are divisions, as in core countries like Germany, Greece, France or Spain. In particular the wars in the Ukraine and in the Middle East are dividing the left.

It is a historical fact that when the left is weak, the right benefits.

On the other site there are promising developments. I am referring especially to the resistance against the rise of living costs. “Enough is enough” was the slogan for a major campaign by social movements and trade unions which began in the UK. This campaign also had an impact on the social movements and trade unions in other European countries. Last year in Germany there was a new dynamic of trade union struggles with some remarkable results. And it’s very interesting that there was collaboration between the climate movement and trade unions. Ver.di and Fridays for Future worked together and advocated for a new mobility policy focusing on public transport.

Left-wing politics must address the contradictions of social development and develop solutions for them. This particularly affects social problems such as the rising cost of living, as well as the burdens resulting from the transformation processes.

With regard to the ecological transformation, the trade unions have called for a just transition. However, the unions and the employees themselves should become actors in these processes. The social-ecological transformation must therefore be combined with measures for economic democracy. For the left it is clear that a successful social-ecological transformation with sustainable social development cannot succeed under capitalist conditions.

In view of the militarization that is pervasive in society and the threatening tensions, the question of peace is of paramount importance. Of course, there are uncertainties and controversies surrounding the issue of peace. Even if there are different assessments of the causes of the wars, such as in Ukraine, the commitment to negotiated solutions and disarmament should be a minimal consensus. The peace issue is closely related to the social and climate issues. Every euro that is spent on armaments is missing from the fight against climate change and for social justice.

I think the left can overcome its present crisis if it adopts a unified strategic approach and pursues an inclusive rather than exclusionary form of politics. The main elements are: the commitment to peace, the fight against the high cost of living and for better working and living conditions, and ultimately the social-ecological transition combining social and ecological needs and overcoming capitalism.

We must stand together and be united. We must strengthen our cooperation with the trade-unions, with social, climate and peace movements.  We need an alliance as broad as possible against war and against the far right – for another society, fairer, more democratic, more social, more ecological and more peaceful.

Prof. Dr. Heinz Bierbaum is Chair of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation and former Deputy Chair of the party Die Linke. This is the speech he planned to make at the Labour Movement Agenda for a Labour Government Conference that had to be postponed due to the General Election.

Image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/die_linke/51948626840/. Creator: MARTIN HEINLEIN . Licence: CC BY 2.0 DEED Attribution 2.0 Generic