Socialist turmoil: Progressive Alliance vs Socialist International

Last May, the German Social Democratic Party (SPD) hosted an event in Leipzig to celebrate its 150th anniversary, during which the “Progressive Alliance” was launched. The Progressive Alliance is an international network of progressive, democratic, social democratic, socialist and labour parties that share the same values and principles. So far, almost 70 parties from across the world support and participate in this new initiative.

The establishment of this new organization rocked the boat in the international socialist field and caused tensions and rifts between them and the Socialist International. Founded in 1951 in Frankfurt, the Socialist International (SI) includes more than 160 parties and is the dominant political international. During its existence, the SI engaged notable political figures such as Willy Brandt, Lionel Jospin and Aung San Suu Kyi, among others.

The first dark clouds appeared earlier. In January 2012, the SPD suspended the £100,000 yearly membership fee payment to the Socialist International and in December of that year, the formation conference of the Progressive Alliance took place in Rome.

According to its founders, there are many reasons behind the new initiative. Sigmar Gabriel, the SPD chairman, along with the French Socialist Party criticized the SI’s leaders for mismanagement and the inclusion of undemocratic political parties into the organization. They also underline the SI’s inability to advocate effectively during these times of great change, economic crisis, social inequality and austerity.

Indeed, the Socialist International has been for decades the international affiliation of many African political parties which turned out to be criminal regimes; Ben Ali in Tunisia, Mubarak in Egypt, Gbagbo in Côte d'Ivoire are some of them. The SI proved to be an organization consisted of disparate political parties and movements.

Additionally, the SI leadership is accused of irresponsibility and lack of socialist ideals. More specifically, during a meeting of SI’s Council in Cascais, Portugal; Beatriz Talegón, Secretary General of the IUSY (International Union of Socialist Youth), expressed outrage at the privileges that SI’s politicians enjoy, while demonstrations against austerity and poverty take place worldwide. She stated her surprise at how to actually “promote revolution from a five star hotel in Cascais, arriving in luxury cars”...

It is widely believed that the Progressive Alliance aims to replace the SI in the following years, although none of the parties participating in the Progressive Alliance has openly expressed dividing intentions. The leaders of Socialist International consider the SPD’s initiative as hostile and disruptive for the socialist movement. For this reason, George Papandreou, President of the SI, didn’t attend Leipzig’s event and sent a harsh open letter prior to it. In this letter, Papandreou accused the SPD leaders of seeking the division of the global progressive movement, and of unfair criticizing. He cited various German press articles and uttered his point of view.

Behind the scenes, the “Progressive Alliance” initiative is considered as part of the Europe’s “Germanisation” plan. The President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz, the President of the group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament Hannes Swoboda and the President of the Party of European Socialists Sergei Stanishev are counted as strong promoters of Germany’s sovereignty in European politics. Along with Sigmar Gabriel, they are accused of imposing Germany’s agenda and interests in the European institutions. This fact irritates more the conflict between north and south, which spreads quickly in a global level.

It is more than clear that the Socialist International, and thus the global socialist movement, face a deep and painful split. While the austerity and recession beset Europe, while people in Africa and Asia fight for fundamental rights and freedom, while people in South America strive to achieve development, the Socialist leaders from both sides are involved in petty quarrels.

Today, 57 out of the 161 SI member parties are in power or in a coalition government. However, the prestige of socialist and social democratic parties is not as high as expected or intended. The criticism is increasing rapidly and people around the world need inspiration and motivation that the current leaders seem not to be able to provide. The fighting socialist movement does not approve appointed leaders, but instead indicates leaders through its struggles. Most analysts highlight that reform, in both people and structures, is necessary, while unity should be protected by all means. This political conflict will bring in a new era. It is only a matter of time to detect whether this new era will bring unity or partiality in the socialist movement.

Το παρόν άρθρο δημοσιεύτηκε στην ιστοσελίδα Open Society