Translated material
United front
Of the many different protests that have taken place recently in Europe, I would like to highlight two. And both of them are extremely revealing.
In November, the ruling circles of the European Union observed many different actions. Nationwide strikes, rallies and demonstrations took place across the countries of the southern eurozone. Things came to a point of clashes with the police. There were especially large clashes in Madrid, where law enforcement officers literally attacked protesters. Protests took place more calmly in the northern countries of the European Union. Against the general background, the agitation for the separation of Catalonia from Spain and the rally in Prague brought something new to the struggle of European workers against neoliberalism.
Many Catalan residents support the idea of secession because they do not want “austerity.” They became convinced that it meant a permanent deterioration in life. However, this policy is carried out not simply at the will of Madrid, but in accordance with the will of the EU. And this is where the main trap of possible separation lies. To get rid of the dictates of the European Union and the IMF, it is not enough to secede from Spain. But leaving the EU is fraught with major problems (including an economic blockade), and nationalists from the leadership of Catalonia are unlikely to dare to do this. Understanding that the secession of the region is valuable as a threat, voters, apparently, will not vote for it. However, regardless of the results of the future referendum, it will remain a manifestation of the crisis of the European Union as an integration project. This is precisely why posing the question of separation is important.
The “paper” Catalan protest is a statement to the creators of the EU that if it is impossible to break out of the shackles of their policies within the framework of old countries, then they need to create new ones. Secession is only an escape, and it cannot solve the problems of the crisis, especially since no one will let Catalonia go far. But the very threat of secession of this most industrially developed region of Spain once again indicates that instead of development, the European Union only brings destruction to the south of the eurozone, which gives rise to separatism.
The second important protest of November was presented to Europe by the Czech Republic. The author of the article has heard many times that the Czech Republic is the most boring country in Europe, and its inhabitants lead an almost plant-based lifestyle: they are not interested in politics, but are busy with work and everyday trifles. But such reasoning is a gross exaggeration. How exaggerated were the speeches of officials of this country that it would not be affected by the crisis. There are many problems in the Czech Republic, and the recent protests have proven this once again.
On November 17, an unusually large number of people gathered at Wenceslas Square in the center of Prague. Protests also took place in other parts of the country. Residents of the Czech Republic were called to protest by the civil platform “Stop the Government” and trade unions. And at least 25 thousand people took part in the capital’s action. They demanded the resignation of the government and early parliamentary elections. The reason for the speech is simple: people do not like neoliberal economic policies, pursued, naturally, in the interests of the richest citizens. And the workers came out, as they had already done in the spring.
The November performance in the Czech Republic was not the first. In April, a demonstration took place in Prague - a march of 120 thousand dissatisfied residents of the “quiest” country of the European Union. The problem is that the Czech Republic (contrary to previous promises by the authorities) has not remained aloof from the crisis, and the ruling class is trying to use the difficult situation to carry out unpopular reforms that worsen the financial situation of workers. As a result, more and more Czechs are remembering their state's Soviet past. Similar speeches were made at the Saturday rally. Meanwhile, the European Union demands from the Czech Republic, as well as from other countries, a more “frugal” policy. The population must silently tighten their belts. And the residents of the eastern part of the EU seem to be expected to comply silently, but they turn out to be capable of protest.
European financial circles are demanding from the Czech government not concessions to the population, but a reduction in the cost of local labor. The same course is being carried out throughout the EU, and Czechs can see its ripe fruits in Spain, Portugal and Greece. It would be good if as many Czech residents as possible understood what the authorities were preparing for them. Maybe then no one will say that the Czech Republic is the quietest place in the European Union? But by that time, the entire north of the EU will probably begin to seethe. The accumulation of problems in the German economy will entail a recession in Poland and Austria.
A little more, and a united front will emerge in the European Union... No, not yet protesting citizens, but falling economies. And the protests will continue to reflect a complete deadlock - both in the EU’s economic policy and in the entire project of “unifying” Europe. The position of crisis in the European Union is becoming stronger, and governments are helping it as best they can.