What’s Going on with the French Left?

international | politics / elections | other press Sunday February 25, 2007 19:07 by John Meehan

Political Independence not Subordination to Social Democracy (and/or Social-Liberalism)

A small number of Dáil candidates positioning themselves on the left rule out coalition with Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael, or doing side-deals.

This number includes Séamus Healy (Tipperary South), a supporter of the Campaign for and Independent Left (CIL) and Joe Higgins (Dublin West) of the Socialist Party. I hope both these candidates are returned to the next Dáil, and that they are joined by like-minded deputies who will not sacrifice the left on the altar of social-liberal policies and its druids : Ahern, Kenny, Rabbitte and their colleagues.

The issue may arise concretely after the May 2007 general election. Most opinion polls indicate that support for the two main conservative parties continues to fall significantly, a trend well-established since 1987.

Similar problems confront the Left, worldwide.

See article on France at this link :

http://internationalviewpoint.org/spip.php?page=print_a...=1221

A small number of Dáil candidates positioning themselves on the left rule out coalition with Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael, or doing side-deals.

This number includes Séamus Healy (Tipperary South), a supporter of the Campaign for and Independent Left (CIL) and Joe Higgins (Dublin West) of the Socialist Party. I hope both these candidates are returned to the next Dáil, and that they are joined by like-minded deputies who will not sacrifice the left on the altar of social-liberal policies and its druids : Ahern, Kenny, Rabbitte and their colleagues.

The issue may arise concretely after the May 2007 general election. Most opinion polls indicate that support for the two main conservative parties continues to fall significantly, a trend well-established since 1987.

Similar problems confront the Left, worldwide.

François Duval of the French LCR notes

"Revolutionary and/or radical groups have been already faced to these challenges: in Brazil and in Italy, for instance. Becoming satellites of social democracy via common governments or parliamentary coalitions with the centre left can end up with the destruction of the radical Left. We know for sure that new experiences of centre left governments will only lead to greater disappointment, greater bitterness and an increased support for populist and far right parties. If we want to avoid this, the radical Left must not share the responsibility of these social and political disasters."

Read the rest of the article at this link :

http://internationalviewpoint.org/spip.php?page=print_a...=1221

Supporters, especially, of the Green Party and Sinn Féin, please note.