Europe surge for Left alternative

“The main challenges for the Left are to end austerity and tackle the dangerous rise of the far Right.”

THE European United Left/Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL) European Parliament group, of which Sinn Féin is a member party, has significantly increased its representation in the EU Parliament.

The left-wing group saw big gains in Ireland, Italy, Spain, Greece, Czech Republic and Finland and looks set to play a key role in a parliament where support for the two largest groups, the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (of which the Irish Labour Party’s MEPs were members) and the European People’s Party (including Fine Gael), plummeted.

GUE/NGL leader Gabi Zimmer says the increasing support for Left candidates shows that increasing numbers of citizens across the EU are seeking a real alternative to the failed politics of austerity.

“Over the next five years our enlarged group will fight for jobs, equality, social solidarity, sustainable economic development and for a Europe of civil rights and peace,” she said.

Hitting out at the current direction of the European Union, she added:

“Recent policies of EU leaders have devastated our societies and brought our economies to the brink, especially the reaction to the current economic, financial, social and environmental crisis.”

Noting the recent rise in support for far-Right and xenophobic or anti-immigrant groups in some European states, Gabi Zimmer said:

“The main challenges for the Left are to end austerity and tackle the dangerous rise of the far Right.”