We had the opportunity to exchange thoughts about the urgent need to coordinate the left wing forces in the countries of the European South, actually not only the forces of the left but all the social forces, in order for an alternative way out of the crisis to emerge.

The problem that the Greek economy is facing today is not a Greek problem. It is a European problem. It has to do with the way the European Union is constructed. Today, Greece is being faced– heading the list -  like a guinea pig for the profiteering market forces. Tomorrow it could be Spain, Portugal and who knows which other country in the place Greece is today.

The international financial crisis did not start either  in Greece or in Spain. Those who created it want to use it as an opportunity for an even greater redistribution of wealth to the benefit of the powerful circles. The markers are acting like terrorists and the governments responsible for this outcome are today threatening with even harsher measures that will break social cohesion in the countries of the European south.

Before we left Greece there was talk of the need to abolish the 14^th salary. This morning, they have already forgotten the 14^th salary and are talking about abolishing the 13^th salary. Tomorrow who knows what more they will think of eliminating.

This is a one way street. When you give your hand to the markets they ask for the whole arm. And since the governments of the European South declare their full submission to the profiteering tendencies of the markets, the only route is the coordination of the activities of the working people of the European South which will signal to the European public opinion that all the rights of the European people which have been achieved through decade long great sacrifices cannot evaporate in a few months.

Alexis Tsipras, SYNASPISMOS President, headed a party delegation that visited the Left Block of Portugal and the United Left and Communist Party of Spain on 17 and 18 February 2010.  The aim of the visit was for the left wing parties of the Mediterranean to coordinate the struggles of the working people of the European South  in order to exit the present crisis.