Argentina: Great choice of the Left Front Unit
Opportunities and challenges for a greater leap
General elections over, one of the outstanding news and impossible to hide, is that the left organized in the FIT-U consolidated itself as the third national force. We leave our analysis on the reasons for this political conquest, its national reach, your new benches. The perspectives that are opening up and the relationship between the electoral and the struggles in each sector. And the political orientation necessary to prepare a greater leap for the Left Front in the coming time.
BySergio Garcia
We no longer live in a time where, intentionally and supported by electoral results,, The mainstream media easily transmits the idea that there are only two possible options that take more of the money. 90% of votes. Although they always do it and will surely try to 2023 look for a polarization scenario, Likewise, no one can avoid saying that a significant segment of the population no longer votes for these two variants., and that a third national force has emerged, which is the unity of the left expressed in the FIT-U. This is a fact that took shape in the PASO and was consolidated in the general elections. This very positive fact is part of a phenomenon that is not only in our country., but it is part of the world situation in general and Latin America in particular.. Faced with the crisis and erosion of the traditional forces that apply adjustment plans, discontent tends to sometimes be reflected in rebellions and large street actions, sometimes in the emergence and electoral leap of forces located to the left and sometimes in a combination of both things. In some countries this electoral jump was even greater, capitalized by sectors with left-wing discourse with a more conciliatory program that enters into crisis as soon as they take office, as is the case of Peru among others. Which does not eliminate the positive fact that millions have chosen to vote for the most left-wing speech that was there.. The same in relation to the high vote long ago in Chile for independent candidacies., which also expressed a positive search for an important segment of the population, to the left of the parties of the Chilean regime. Now in Argentina, our Left Front takes an important electoral leap, still comparatively behind larger electoral leaps that occurred in other South American countries, but politically and programmatically our front is more solid and clearly anti-capitalist and socialist, which in perspective is an element that works in our favor, provided you know how to take advantage of it without closure. Along with our front, a pole also emerged to the right, the libertarians, which is not a coincidence either, but it is also part of the regional and global situation. Facing the crisis, the emergence of new phenomena towards the most radicalized poles of the left and right, It is a clear element of the situation in the midst of the capitalist crisis. And it only reaffirms that we live in a time of strong social and political polarization., and that this will tend to deepen within the framework of governments tied to the IMF, as is our case and that of many other countries. In this context, that in our country nationally we are the Left Front the third force, It is an encouraging and very positive fact that is part of the present and future trends.. A fact that is the same, dialectically, does not make us forget the important votes of the right-wing Milei and Espert in the political heart of the country. That is also part of the reality that we will have to face in the coming time..
The vote and achievements of the FIT-U
Third national force, 1.300.000 votes throughout the country, more than 6% national, a 20% more than what was obtained in the PASO, all data that show progress on what was obtained in the previous elections of 2019 and what was obtained in the PASO of September of that year. Four elected national deputies, two provincial deputies in Buenos Aires, two legislators in CABA and a new achievement of enormous significance; a dozen councilors elected in the heart of the Buenos Aires suburbs, in the territory of the previously untouchable "barons". For the first time, the left partially collapses that wall that previously seemed unbreakable. That earthenware began to break and is the primary expression of a deeper process that has the possibility of expressing itself much more in the future.. It is without a doubt the process to which we must pay the most attention and not only at the electoral level., but above all in real life in factories, popular neighborhoods and in the enormous youth without a future. Because electoral progress is the expression on the ground of the votes, of a process of discontent and rupture that comes from below and is disputed daily in each place. With the results in sight and the news that the left is the third force and for the first time we enter the councils, This new reality will further encourage other groups to approach, to those who are going to see us more and more as something important, visible and rising. Of course the same thing and even more happens in Jujuy, where one in four people votes left, leading the FIT-U led by Vilca to a historic vote. There our MST also made its important contribution in the PASO and helped achieve this campaign by contributing that important flow of voters.. And also as part of the provincial conquests, Our colleague Betina Rivero will take office in a few days as a councilor in Palpala. In several other provinces very good elections were held, arriving around 8% in Neuquen, Chubut and Santa Cruz, and around the 7% in Buenos Aires and CABA, he 6% in San Juan. In Salta it was close to 5% with an outstanding campaign by our colleague Andrea Villegas, in a very good vote, despite the fact that an important part of the votes that PO previously contributed went to the Workers' Politics list. In important provinces, how Córdoba found it difficult to advance further and the polarization between the other forces weighed. And in Santa Fe, forces located more to the center-left continue to have a prominent place, that for now occupy a space and prevent the FIT-U from advancing much further. Beyond these inequalities, throughout the country the Left Front is a reality, in Entre Ríos, La Rioja and the other provinces.
A process of breaking with Peronism advances
During the last month of the campaign, phenomena began to occur, still incipient, but very positive. From different sectors that are not part of the Left Front, We began to receive different signs of support and collaboration.. From social leaders who announced that they would vote for the FIT Unidad, the militancy of several piquetero organizations independent of the government that joined in to supervise, young people who broke with the PC who asked for FIT tickets- U to distribute between its militancy and its periphery, workers who previously recognized themselves as voters of Kirchnerism, They came to the tables on the street to tell us that now they would vote for the left, affiliates and critical bases of the CTA's who on social networks criticized support for the government and announced that they would vote for the left. In the popular neighborhoods a greater influx to our marches and events, at union events to support the front, like the biggest one we did in La Matanza, with the intervention of bus line workers and various unions, where before Peronism dominated without problem. Also independent feminist and environmentalist leaders, actively campaigning for the vote to the left. This whole process of breaking with old Peronism is just the beginning. It is the tip that we are seeing of a deeper phenomenon that can advance. We will see how far and in what times. Because logically, with the triumph of Together for Change, Now Peronism in all its wings will try to convince its critical bases, that we must support them so as not to lose the elections 2023. Will you achieve a lot or a little?, within the framework of an agreement with the IMF that comes with more adjustment? At the very least we dare to say that it can only be partially achieved., that is not going to stop a new fringe from moving away from those old structures and looking more and more to the anti-capitalist left. And our policy has to help this process of rupture to consolidate and expand., so that concessions and class conciliation policies are weakened.
A firm policy, a bold call
For these extremely important reasons, In the Left Front we have to thoroughly debate what policy and orientation we are going to have regarding this process. Starting to know that it starts driving right now, the broadest mobilization against the new agreement with the IMF. There are already two spaces debating mobilization, the self-convened people against the debt and the independent piquetero movement. These two calls must be united and the FIT-U must be the protagonist of promoting it, and to call on many others who oppose this agreement, for all of us to find ourselves in the street in a great day of fighting against the IMF and paying for that scam, as part of other measures that we can debate and promote in the future. The important political and electoral achievements of this 14 of November, They cannot be seen as a ceiling but as a new starting point, that gives us a strong impulse to make our way and advance much further in all areas. Audacity and a political offensive are required from our front. Throughout this year and in both campaigns (STEP and general) from the MST through our main spokespersons and references such asCele Fierro YAlejandro Bodart, and through exchanges in meetings and published texts, We constantly insist that the FIT-U is there for much more than being an electoral front. That there are conditions to think about something deeper, more permanent. We have repeatedly proposed that we could be a great political movement or common party of tendencies, that has its national coordination, meet weekly, to debate and agree on how to intervene in all fronts of struggle, jointly supporting and promoting the struggles and fights for leadership in the labor movement and in the youth.. And where everyone continues to have their own independence and organization as a current. What an advance to think, for example, how to actively and permanently incorporate independent sectors, intellectuals, social referents. How do we give them a place that has greater prominence?, and not only support us with your vote in each campaign. We also have to think about proposals for grassroots sectors of other organizations that move away from Peronism., how we take advantage of that process and at the same time serve as an example to encourage others to also come to the left. Our front does not consider these important political problems today. It is a political error and a delay to be corrected as soon as we can, If we really want to make a much more qualitative leap than what we have already achieved. We have an anti-capitalist program, very correct socialist and class independence, which is our guarantee of the direction we want and a strategy of struggle for a workers' government, which places us unequivocally against the reformist and possibilist variants. With that program and that north, with all the political and militant strength accumulated among the parties that make up the FIT-U, we can summon, open new spaces, generate meetings and exchanges. And have a thorough and frank debate on how to greatly improve the Left Front, How do we better prepare for the great social and political struggles that are coming in these years?. This is not the time for conservatism., nor routine, nor to tie ourselves to only electoral formats. Revolutionary politics is that which does not stop at that stage and seeks to advance more thoroughly and comprehensively.. It is perhaps the best moment in many years, to try to place the revolutionary left on a much greater level than we already achieved. And that is done with a program, a policy and taking advantage of opportunities and times, that are not eternal and need responses according to the new situation that is coming.
The MST in the rotation of the benches achieved
As part of the political achievements of having achieved seats in different and important districts and categories, Our party will be part of them in three very important political areas and in councils of different provinces.. In the province of Buenos Aires and CABA, as a product of the very strong campaign and political struggle that our colleagues led for the MST in the FIT UnidadAlejandro Bodart YCele Fierro, It was possible to enter various and important rotations. Our companionVilma Ripoll, renowned fighter, will enter the rotation of a national deputy seat for the province. Our companionGuillermo Pacagnini, current general secretary of Cicop, He will also enter the rotation of a seat as provincial deputy for Buenos Aires. and in CABA, our companion and nursing referenceCaro Caceres, will enter the rotation of a city legislator bench. Here too next year he will take overVanesa Gagliardi, our share of the turnover obtained in the previous elections. next to them, A significant number of colleagues from five municipalities such as La Matanza will also enter the rotations of councilors achieved., Moreno, Merlo, José C. Paz and Florencia Varela fighting this last vote by vote. About this historical fact of Greater Buenos Aires, we reflect everything in a separate note. To all this, it adds that, as part of this year's elections, will also take over its bank in JujuyBetina Rivero, as councilor of the important city of Palpala. further, We will enter into the rotation of a seat in the Neuquén council with the partnerJuan Bari, achieved in last month's elections. Which is added to our rotation of another bench in the capital city council, obtained in the previous elections and in which he will assumePriscila Otton. Also in Salta our colleague takes office this weekCarlos Zarzuri as provincial constituent, entering the rotation achieved in the elections months ago. Strongly accompanying this advance in our political location, in Córdoba our companionLuciana Echevarria, continues two more years as provincial deputy.
Get organized with the MST to go for more
ByCele Fierro
The election results are a reflection of the sympathy that is growing with the left. They are an expression of discontent with the traditional parties and the growing social and political polarization that now puts Argentina more in tune with the world situation.. They are a conquest of years of struggle, of political coherence and a project that is the only one that, definitely, proposes the emancipation of the working class. It is a conquest of unity achieved. It is one more step in the construction of a political alternative for those below. This achievement brings with it enormous challenges, From the MST we consider that we must continue strengthening the front so that we become a true alternative for all working people.. At this key point, There are debates on how to do it and in these lines we want to outline our proposal.
Overcome the electoral. The unity achieved at the electoral level has to be transferred to all levels of the class struggle. Today more than ever, We have to capitalize on the strength and support that FIT Unidad garnered in each place.. We have to work together in each of the workplaces, fighting against treacherous bureaucratic leaderships, against the government and employers. We have to strengthen the Plenary of Combative Unionism, adding new bodies of delegates, internal committees and unions, go in unity to dispute the bureaucracy. Act together also in the territory, in the neighborhoods, with social movements and picketers. It is in unity in the processes of struggle where youth is the vanguard, against precariousness, for socio-environmental causes, in the movement of women and dissidents who organize for our rights and fight for a project that confronts this patriarchal capitalism, from a classist feminism, socialist and internationalist. Develop the FIT Unidad in all spaces of struggle and organization of workers, women and youth is a key task.
Be a convening space. Achieve that the sympathy that we have managed to gain and that was reflected in the support for the elections, becomes an organization. We have to call on all sectors of workers who voted for us to build, together with the forces that make up today, the Left Unity Front to make it bigger.. Call on social left organizations, Independent, as well as the political left to join this construction. Call on those colleagues who saw the Frente de Todos as positive after the macrista disaster and who today are completely disappointed, that they be encouraged and take that step to organize and strengthen a left-wing alternative. Give a space for coordination and organization to the sectors that break with the government. We have to make it bigger, wider and stronger in front of us. We have to be broad organizationally, summon, bring everyone together, and be very strong in the programmatic, defending our anti-capitalist and socialist program.
Great political movement. We have the opportunity to overcome the self-imposed ceiling of sectarianism and dogmatism, If we go beyond the electoral stage and call on the different sectors to join this collective construction, based on the FIT Unidad program. Make a big political move, where our parties interact permanently, where all debates take place democratically, sin hegemonismos. Diversity is what makes us stronger, each one contributes and adds from their positions, far from that false conception that "holding debates divides" on the contrary strengthens us. A political movement where the identity of each of our organizations is not lost, defend our program, and that contains democratic organizational mechanisms so that the rest of the independent sectors have a space for debate, decision making and the strength that the organization gives us to then go and apply the policy discussed together. This is our proposal, It is what we raise to continue making the Left and Workers Unity Front great.. It is so that we can be in better conditions to fight the battles that are coming..
I came to the MST to promote this project. This ambitious perspective for the left to grow, and even prepare to stand as a representative as a real government option in the face of social struggles and sudden political changes that will come., It is neither automatic nor a calm and gradual process.. Rather it will be a path in times of tension, with debates and clash of ideas and projects on the left itself to respond well to the new phenomena that will surely emerge. It is probable, and maybe sooner rather than later, that in our country the political crises become more acute and then the question of power is reconsidered in a revolutionary way, in the style of Argentinazo 2001 the similar. And it cannot happen to us that the rebellion corners and removes the capitalist government in power., but we do not have a strong alternative of our own to provide a positive solution to the crisis and thus achieve a government of the workers and the people. That's why we invite you to organize with us., to join the MST to strengthen that project due to fundamental changes, empezando por venir a nuestro acto internacionalista del sábado 4 en Plaza de Mayo.
