Brazil: The PSOL defines not being part of the government, but yes to be a base of support. The crossroads continue

ByLiaison Committee: Socialist Struggle/Socialist Alternative/International Socialist League

The National Directorate of the PSOL decided not to hold positions in the government of the Frente Amplisimo Lula/Alckmin. This has been the position of the Liaison Committee of Socialist Struggle/Socialist Alternative/LIS all along, and represents the victory of the independence of the party. But this was accompanied by an erroneous statement that it will be the support base of the next federal government.. A) Yes, the resolution voted in the last National Directory (DN), is a political statement that capitulates to the class conciliation project, highlighting an absurd call to trust and support a bourgeois government of national unity.

The field of the Popular PSOL, led by the Revolutionary Solidarity and Socialist Spring currents, represented by Guilherme Boulos and Juliano Medeiros respectively, was forced to vote in favor of a resolution that explicitly states: "PSOL will not hold positions in the next government". This happened because his allies, the field «PSOL Seed», composed of currents Resistance, Insurgency and Subverta (the three linked to the SU – Fourth International), they refused to form a government with the bourgeoisie, showing, fortunately, that something of the Marxist tradition is preserved. A) Yes, the majority direction, without getting a majority of the votes, was forced to make this definition, not less important, in the last DN. And with this they sealed the agreement with the Semente field again, obtaining the majority of votes in the direction to vote on a common resolution. resolution this, wrong and dangerous, which declares unconditional support for this same bourgeois government, which once again jeopardizes the future of the anti-capitalist and independent party that we are building.

Faced with this new scenario, with the last minute twist of the Semente field, the Left Opposition, a sector that we were building with the greatest unit effort, although there are important differences, broke. Strengthen reported that it was withdrawing from the resolution drafted and presented by the opposition, and was followed by MES, adopting the same definition. Thus we arrive at the day of the DN, with 3 resolutions presented: one of the majority direction, another from the opposition and another from the CST. The majority resolution was voted by Primavera, Rev. Solidarity, Resistance, insurgency, Subverted, MONTH and STRENGTHEN, while that of the Left Opposition was voted by Commune, APS and Us, the Socialist Struggle and Socialist Alternative Liaison Committee. The one from the CST did not get any votes. It was a mistake because the content of the resolution that was voted is the affirmation of a political project of adaptation and cooptation of the bourgeois State and its institutions, which calls for trust in the bourgeois institutions that constantly act against the interests of the working class and the poor people, affirming a commitment to those who exploit and oppress. On the other hand, although the Left Opposition had already lost the possibility of obtaining a majority in the vote, Maintaining a resolution that showed a firmer position in favor of the political independence of the party means a signal to the bases of the PSOL that the Left Opposition is willing to maintain the dispute and fight for the founding project against the liquidation of the leadership majority. We have this brotherly debate with the comrades of the Left Opposition, hoping that we can draw conclusions and avoid continuing to make these mistakes that weaken the battle for party independence.

The crossroads in the PSOL continues and the coming months will be fundamental for the future of the party. This is where a firm position is so necessary, no room for ambiguity or petty calculations of one or another current. We need the firmest and most determined unity of the class and anti-capitalist sectors if what we want is to avoid total submission to the class conciliation project. Unfortunately, this is not what happened in the last DN and it is an error that should be discussed so that it is not repeated in the next fights.

In defense of the independence of the PSOL

The PSOL has an important influence in the current political debate, vocalizing and mobilizing the most important opinions and banners of the socialists of Brazil, precisely because he has never been silent in the face of injustices. We cannot abdicate the right to criticize. Nothing can separate us from the founding commitments of the party to defend the interests of the working class against threats and attacks from all governments..

We are active in the fight against Bolsonarism, and the independence of the party is also essential for victory in this field. The important bench of the PSOL in the national congress must represent this position. Our and our parliamentarians, working class tribunes, they must face with equal courage Bolsonarism and the attacks imposed by the Lula/Alckmin/centrão government against the people. We cannot be afraid of strengthening a left alternative, a firm opposition to any attack against the working class and poor people.

He settled in the PSOL, a mistrust of asserting itself as a "left opposition" to the next government. A childish fear on the part of some and opportunistic on the part of others. Naturally, The PSOL has already positioned itself in opposition to the re-election of Arthur Lira to the Presidency of the Chamber of Deputies. Lula-Alckmin decided to rebuild the bourgeois regime in crisis, naturally on his part, but will it be for ours? Was the PSOL born to dispute a political alternative or to be the last wagon of the Broad Front?? The discourse that the battle against Bolsonarismo passes through the Government is an illusion (childish for some, opportunistic for others). It is not possible to defeat Bolsonarismo with the institutions that support it. Bolsonaro will leave the government, but the regime of the rich will be able to use it as a card up its sleeve when necessary, how did you use it in 2018.

If the PSOL is locked into the indecision and political opportunism of being part of the reconstruction of the bourgeois regime, will be doomed to disappear. Part of the approved resolution that allows, eventually, the "removal" for those who assume positions in the government, giving freedom to return, feeds the policy of submission of the party to the Broad Front. the sow field, MES and Fortalecer voted in favor of a policy that says one thing in the text, but in practice it could be another.

The battle in defense of independence continues. The National Directorate resolved things ambiguously, pointing out an undue subordination to the government against which we will continue to fight.

Saint Paul, 21 from December to 2022

Liaison Committee

Socialist Struggle/Socialist Alternative

International Socialist League