Internationalist Workers' Left

Internationalist Workers' Left
Name	Internationalist Workers' Left
Foundation	2001
Headquarters	Athens, Greece
Ideology	Communism, Marxism, Internationalism, Anti-capitalism
Position	Far-left
International	International Socialist Tendency (historical)
Colours	Red

Internationalist Workers' Left is a far-left political organization in Greece, founded in 2001. It is known for its Marxist and internationalist orientation, advocating for a revolutionary socialist transformation of society. The group operates as a political party and has participated in various electoral alliances and social movements.

History and origins

The Internationalist Workers' Left was formed in 2001 through the merger of several smaller leftist groups, including the Organization of Communist Internationalists of Greece and the Revolutionary Communist Current of Greece. Its formation occurred in a period of realignment on the Greek left following the dissolution of the Communist Party of Greece (Interior) and the rise of the Coalition of the Radical Left. Key founding figures included veteran activists from the student movements against the Greek military junta of 1967–1974 and the Eurocommunist tradition. The organization's early activities were centered on workplace organizing, opposition to the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, and participation in the anti-globalization movement and protests against the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Ideology and political positions

Ideologically, the group is rooted in classical Marxism and the tradition of Leon Trotsky, emphasizing class struggle, proletarian internationalism, and a critique of capitalism. It characterizes contemporary Greece as a capitalist state and rejects the European Union and NATO as imperialist projects. The organization advocates for the overthrow of the capitalist system and the establishment of a workers' state through revolutionary means, opposing what it views as the reformist politics of SYRIZA and the Communist Party of Greece. Its program includes calls for the cancellation of the public debt, nationalization of key sectors under workers' control, and solidarity with international movements like the Palestinian liberation movement.

Organizational structure

The group operates on the principle of democratic centralism, with a national congress as its highest decision-making body. Between congresses, a central committee, elected by the membership, guides political work. Local branches, organized in neighborhoods, workplaces, and universities, form the base of the organization. It maintains a youth wing, known as the Youth of the Internationalist Workers' Left, and publishes a regular newspaper and theoretical journal to disseminate its views. The organizational model is designed to combine internal democratic discussion with unified public action.

Electoral participation and results

The Internationalist Workers' Left has primarily participated in elections through broader coalitions rather than independently. It was a founding component of the Antarsya coalition in 2009, an alliance of anti-capitalist and revolutionary groups. Within Antarsya, it has contested numerous Hellenic Parliament elections, as well as European and local elections, though it has not secured parliamentary representation. Its electoral strategy focuses on using campaigns for propaganda and building extra-parliamentary movements, rather than seeking governmental office within the existing state framework.

Internal currents and debates

Like many far-left organizations, it has experienced internal debates over strategic orientation. These have included discussions on the nature of participation in Antarsya, the assessment of the SYRIZA government under Alexis Tsipras, and analyses of major international events like the Arab Spring and the War in Donbas. While maintaining a generally unified public stance, these debates have occasionally led to minor splits or the departure of small factions advocating different tactical approaches to building a revolutionary party in Greece.

International affiliations

Historically, the organization was part of the International Socialist Tendency, a network associated with the ideas of Tony Cliff. However, it has since developed independent international relations. It maintains fraternal ties and collaborates with various Trotskyist and revolutionary socialist groups worldwide, participating in international forums and solidarity campaigns. It is not formally affiliated with any of the large international communist organizations like the Committee for a Workers' International or the International Marxist Tendency.

Category:Political parties in Greece Category:Far-left political parties in Greece Category:Communist parties in Greece Category:Trotskyist organizations in Europe Category:Political parties established in 2001