Contempt for democracy

19.1.2015

Question for written answer E-000655-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Kateřina Konečná (GUE/NGL)

Democracy is a tricky issue. It is a general principle that the people are sovereign and that it is up to the people to decide on important matters regarding the orientation of their societies. Today this fickleness of democracy can be seen in Greece. It is there — following many years of neoliberal experiments and social disasters — that a clear political will has formed to put an end to this gamble at the expense of Greek society. This will is now being expressed by Syriza, which states that it is necessary to put an end to austerity measures throughout Europe and to focus on investing in the future instead of pursuing a race to the bottom.

What was once laughed off as unrealistic and populist is now taken seriously enough to be considered a threat by a great many European politicians. This is because they have built their careers on austerity policies. Now there is a chance that Syriza could come to power.

This makes the statements made by certain EU representatives, to the effect that Greece will be kicked out of the euro area or perhaps even the EU if it does not comply, all the more scandalous. I consider this to be a strategic error. The EU would be acting in an undemocratic way and endangering its own strategic interests. Greece has received offers of financial support from China, which sees this strategy as a way of ensuring a firm advantage for the importation of its products in order to put pressure on the EU to undermine its labour protection. What steps does the Commission intend to take to ensure that Greece is not forced to accept China's offer?