In July 2015, we witnessed a financial coup d’état carried out by the European Union and its institutions against the Greek Government, condemning the Greek population to continue suffering the austerity policies that had been rejected on two occasions in the polls. This coup has intensified the debate over the power of the EU, and by extension it’s institutions, its incompatibility with democracy, and its role as guarantor of the basic human rights demanded by European citizens.
We know that there are alternatives to austerity. Manifestos such as “For a Plan B in Europe“, “Austerexit” or DiEM25 (Democracy in Europe Movement 2025) denounce the blackmail of the third memorandum of understanding imposed against Greece, the catastrophe that it would cause and the antidemocratic nature of the EU. The President of the European Commission no less, Jean -Claude Juncker, said : ” There can be no democratic decision against European treaties “.
We are also witnesses to the unsupportive, and at times xenophobic, response from members of the EU, and its institutions, to the arrival of refugees from the Middle East and Africa and to the human drama that entails. Underlining the hypocrisy of the debate within the EU with respect to the humanitarian disasters is the indirect way in which, through the sale of arms or by pushing its trade policies, the EU has been a key player in the conflicts which have in turn provoked the recent humanitarian crises.
The EU’s solution to the crisis, started eight years ago and based on austerity, privatizes common goods and destroys social and labour rights instead of addressing the root causes of the crisis; deregulation of the financial system and the corporate takeover of EU institutions through the employment of powerful lobbies and revolving door policies. The EU promotes false solutions by negotiating trade and investment treaties, with hardly any transparency or democratic oversight, such as the TTIP, CETA, or TISA, that eliminate what are considered to be barriers to trade: the rights and regulations that protect the citizens, workers, or environment. It’s the final blow to our democracies and rule of law, especially regarding the procedures put in place for so called investor protection
The current EU is governed by a de facto technocracy serving the interests of a small, but powerful, minority of economic and financial powers. This has provoked a resurgence of rhetoric from the far right as well as from xenophobic and nationalist factions in many European countries. We have the responsibility to react against this threat and stop fascists from capitalize on the pain and unhappiness of the citizens, who in spite of everything have shown solidarity towards the hundreds of thousands of refugees that are suffering this humanitarian tragedy.
Society has now started to work towards a radical change in the policies of the EU. Social movements, such as Blockupy,the current campaign against the TTIP (Transatlantic Trade and Investment Agreement between the European Union and the United States) , the Alter Summit, the European general strike in 2012, the Euromarches , or the massive amount of work carried out by numerous citizen groups and NGO´s make up valuable human, intellectual, and ideological capital in the defense of human rights, the respect of The Earth, and of the dignity of people over and above political and economic interests. However, we believe that better coordination and cooperation is needed in order to mobilize at a European level.There are many proposals on the table that could do away with austerity: a fair tax policy and the closure of tax havens, complementary exchange systems, the re-municipalization of public services , the equal distribution of all jobs with a and enshrining fair conditions. commitment to a production model based on renewable energies and reform or abolish the EU tax treaties – formally known as the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union.The example of Greece has shown us that in order to face the current circumstances we must join forces, all the Member States and from all their spheres: political, intellectual and the civil society. Our vision is all-inclusive and international.For these reasons we want to generate a To carry out all these proposals in order to redefine and re-establish political and European institutions and treaties , civil society must be organized , we must think our common strategies and see how to articulate them . We know that these transformations cannot be done in isolation from each of the European countries. Our vision is of solidarity and internationalist.
For this reason we want to create a convergence of all the people, movements, and organizations that oppose the current model of the EU and agree to a common agenda of objectives, projects, and actions, with the aim of breaking the EU wide system of austerity and to radically democratize the European Institutions, putting them to work for the citizens.
With this idea in mind we propose to set up a European conference on 19th, 20th and 21st February in Madrid and we invite you to participate in the debates, workshops and discussions that will take place.
First Signatures
Lola Sánchez Eurodiputada, Podemos
Miguel Urbán Eurodiputado, Podemos
Marina Albiol Eurodiputada, Izquierda Plural
Javier Couso Eurodiputado, Izquierda Plural
Susan George Presidenta del Transnational Institute
Yanis Varoufakis Economista, ex-Ministro de Finanzas griego
Ada Colau Alcaldesa de Barcelona
Eric Toussaint Portavoz CADTM
Zoe Konstantopoulou Abogada, ex-Presidenta del Parlamento griego
Catherine Samary Économiste altermondialiste, France
Ken Loach Film director, UK
Mariana Mortagua Diputada Parlamento de Portugal
Noam Chomsky Lingüista, Filósofo y Activista, USA
Alexandra Strickner Presidenta de ATTAC Austria
Alberto Garzón Diputado de IU – Unidad Popular
Alberto Montero Diputado de Podemos
Adoración Guamán Profesora de derecho del trabajo. Universitat de València, miembro del consejo científico de Attac
Alda Sousa Ex-députée européenne, Bloco de Esquerda, Portugal
Alexandra Fernandez Diputada al Congreso por la Marea
Alexis Cukier Philosophe, Fondation Copernic, France
Alfred de Zayas Relator Independiente de la ONU para DD.HH
Ana Benavente Sociologue, IAC, Portugal
Andrej Hunko Diputado Die Linke al Bundestag
Andy Storey University College Dublin
Angela Wigger Associate Professor, Radboud University, The Netherlands
Anna Gabriel Diputada/o autonomico de las CUP
Antonio Baylos Catedrático de Derecho del Trabajo. Universidad de Castilla la Mancha.
Antonio Sanabria Profesor de economía de la Universidad Complutense
Antonis Ntavanelos DEA – consejo político de unidad popular
Beatriz Talegon Abogada, ex-Secretaria General de la Unión Internacional de Jóvenes Socialistas
Bibiana Medialdea Profesora de Economía de la UCM
Bodo Ellmers Eurodad, Brussels
Bruno Bosteels Cornell University
Carlos Sanchez Mato Concejal de Economía y Hacienda de Madrid
Carmen San José Diputada Podemos CAM
Cédric Durand Economista, Centre d’Economie de l’Université
Paris-Nord-École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales, EHESS
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Céline CAUDRON Militante féministe (Belgique)
Cem Oyvat Lecturer, University of Greenwich
Chris Hedges Pulitzer Prize – Journalism
Christina Laskaridis Miembro del Comité de la Verdad de la Deuda Griega
Christine Pagnoulle President of ATTAC Liége
Christine Vandendaelen Féministe, membre du secrétariat international du CADTM et CADTM Belgique
Corine Gobin Politologue á lÚLB, Belgium
Costas Lapavitsas Profesor de Economía en SOAS, Londres
Creston Davis Founder, Director & Professor of Philosophy, The Global Center For Advanced Studies, GCAS
Daniel Munevar Asesor Yanis Varoufakis y Miembro CADTM
Daniel PIRON Ancien secrétaire interprofessionnel de la FGTB-Charleroi-Sud Hainaut (Belgique)
Daniel Tanuro Ecosocialist Network
David Fernández Diputada/o autonomico de las CUP
David Wagner Député – déi Lénk, Luxembourg
Dimitris Sotiropoulos Open University, UK
Eduardo Garzón Economista
Ernest Urtasun Eurodiputado de ICV,Grupo de Los Verdes/ALE
Eugénia Pires Economist, Portugal
Fabio di Masi Member of the Euro Parliament, Die Linke
Fátima Martín Periodista y Miembro de la PACD
Fernando Luengo Profesor de Economía Aplicada de la UCM y CCA de Madrid de Podemos
Florent Marcellesi Portavoz de EQUO en el Parlamento Europeo , Grupo de Los Verdes
Francisco Louça Bloco de Esquerda, Portugal
Freddy MATHIEU Ancien secrétaire interprofessionnel de la FGTB Mons-Borinage (Belgique)
Gerardo Pisarello Primer Teniente de Alcalde Barcelona
Gilbert Achcar Professeur, SOAS, Université de Londres
Gilbert Lieben General Secretary CGSP Wallonne, Trade Union
Gustave Massiah Membre Fondateur de IPAM France
Heikki Patomäki Professor of World Politics, University of Helsinki, Member of Board Vasemmistoliitto -Vänsterförbundet – The Left Alliance
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Hilary Wainwright Co-editor Red Pepper and Fellow of Transnational Institute, UK
Hugo Braun Attac Germany
Huáscar Sologuren PACD Madrid
Ioanna Gaitani Ex diputada de Syriza-Red Network
Isabel Serra Diputada Podemos CAM, Anticapitalistas
Jaime Pastor Polítólogo y Editor de la revista Viento Sur
James Petras Bartle Professor Emeritus, Binghamton University
Jean-François Pellissier Portavoz de Ensemble
Jean-Francois Ramquet General Secretary FGTB Liege, Trade Union
Jérôme Duval Miembro PACD y CADTM
Joana Mortágua Economista, Diputada del Parlamento del Portugal
Joao Camargo Precários Inflexíveis, Portugal
John Hillary Director de War on Want, UK
John Weeks Professor Emeritus, SOAS, University of London
Jonathan Stevenson Jubilee Debt Campaign
Jordi Sebastiá Eurodiputado por Compromís, Grupo de Los Verdes
Jose María González (Kichi) Alcalde de Cádiz
Jose Máría González Suarez Presidente de la Fundación por una Europa de los Ciudadanos
Josep Manel Busqueta Ex-Diputado autonómico de la CUP
Josep María Terricabras Eurodiputado Grupo Los Verdes
Juan Torres Catedrático de Teoría Económica y Economía Política. Universidad de Sevilla
Justa Montero Activista feminista y miembro de la Asamblea Feminista
Katerina Sergidou Red Network
Kenneth Haar Corporate Europe Observatory, Denmark
Lídia Senra Rodríguez Diputada por Alternativa Galega de Ezquerda (Galiza) no Parlamento Europeo
Lina Gálvez Catedrática de Historia e Instituciones Económica. Universidad Pablo de Olavide
Lourdes Benería Profesora Emerita Dpto. Planificación Urbana y Reginal Cornell University
Ludovica Rogers Member of Debt Resistance UK
Luís Fazenda Bloco de Esquerda, Portugal
Luka Mesec Leader of Parliamentary Group of Zdruzena Levica, (United Left), Slovenia
Luke Cooper Another Europe is Possible, UK
Malin Björk Eurodiputada Partido de Izquierda, Grupo GUE/NGL – Suecia
Mamadou Ba Bloco d´Esquerda
Manolo Garí Economista, Anticapitalistas
Manolo Monereo Doctor en Ciencias Políticas y licenciado en Derecho
Maria Bolari Ex diputada de Syriza-Red Network
Maria Lucia Fatorelli National Coordinator of Citizen Debt Audit Brazil
Marga Ferré Ejecutiva IU
Mauricio Valiente Concejal Ahora Madrid
Mehmet Ugur Professor in Economics and Institutions, International Business and Economics, University or Greenwich
Michael Hardt Duke University
Michael Hudson ISLET: Institute for the Study of Long-Term Economic Trends, USA
Michael Lowy Reseau Ecosocialiste International, France
Miguel López SKP-Finlandia
Michel Husson Économiste, membre de la commission pour la vérité sur la dette grecque (France)
Miska Seppaelae Vasemmistoliitto -Vänsterförbundet – The Left Alliance
Moisis Litsis Journalist, Greek Committee Against Debt, CADTM
Mónica Oltra Compromís – Vicepresidenta de la Generalitat Valenciana
Montserrat Galcerán Catedrática emérita de filosofía, Concejala de Ahora Madrid
Myriam Martin Portavoz de Ensemble y Diputada Regional
Myriam Vander Stichele (TNI/SOMO) The Netherlands SOMO es Center for Research on Multinational Corporations
Nacho Álvarez Secretario de Economía de Podemos
Natalia Munevar Plataforma Auditoría Ciudadana de la Deuda – PACD
Nick Dearden Director de Global Justice UK
Nikolaos Chountis Eurodiputado Unidad Popular (Grecia)
Olivier Besancenot Ex-candidato a las presidenciales del NPA, Francia
Ozlem Onaran Professor of Economics and Director of Greenwich
Political Economy Research Center, University or Greenwich
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Pablo Carmona Concejal Ahora Madrid
Pablo Echenique Secretario General de Podemos Aragón y diputado en el Parlamento autonómico
Patrick Saurin Portavoz del Sindicato Sud del Banco BPCE, Francia. Miembro del Comité de la Verdad sobre la Deuda Griega
Paul Murphy Irish Socialist Party. Anti-Austerity Alliance Dublin, Ireland
Pauline FORGES Enseignante, déléguée syndicale, membre de la LCR-SAP (Belgique)
Pedro Santisteve Alcalde de Zaragoza
Penelope Duggan Editor International Viewpoint, France
Peter VELTMANS Syndikalist ACOD Financiën, lid van de SAP-LCR (Belgium)
Philippe Marlière Profesor de política europea en University College, London
Pierre Galand Président du Forum Nord Sud, Belgique
Pierre Khala Coprésident de la Fondation Copernic, France
Pierre Vanek Député – Membre de Solidarités, Suisse
Quim Arrufat Diputada/o autonomico de las CUP
Rastko Mocnik Sociologist, Ljubljana, Belgrade
Rafael Escudero Profesor de filosofía del derecho. Universidad Carlos III de Madrid.
Raúl Camargo Diputado Podemos CAM, Anticapitalistas
Richard Wolff The New School
Rommy Arce Concejala Ahora Madrid
Rui Viana Pereira Membre de CADPP, Portugal
Ruth Rubio Marín Professor of Constitutional and Public Comparative Law European University Institute
Sebastían Martín Profesor de Historia del Derecho. Universidad de Sevilla
Sergi Cutillas PACD, Miembro Comité de la Verdad sobre la Deuda Griega
Sofia Sakorafa Member of the Euro Parliament, Greece
Sol Sanchez Diputada IU-UP en el Congreso
Sonia Farré PACD, En Comú Podem
Sonia Mitralia Membre du CADTM et de l’Initiative “Femmes contre la dette et les mesures d’austerité”
Soren Sondergaard MP for the Red-Green Alliance, Denmark
Srecko Horvat Croatia – UK
Stanislas Jourdan Mediaactivist, Basic Income, Quantitative Easing
Stathis Kouvelakis Profesor en Kings College, Londres
Stavros Tombazos Professeur d’économie politique, Université de Chypre
Stefan Zgliczynski Editor of le Monde Diplomatique, Poland
Tariq Ali New Left Review
Teresa Rodriguez Secretaria General de Podemos y Diputada en Andalucía
Thomas WEYTS SAP-LCR ,Belgique
Xabier Benito Eurodiputado Podemos
Xabi Domenech Diputado en el congeso por En Comu Podem
Tom Kucharz Miembro de Ecologistas en Acción, Spain
Vicenç Navarro Catedrático de Ciencias Políticas y Sociales, Universidad Pompeu Fabra
Yago Álvarez PACD Madrid
Yayo Herrero Ecologistas en Acción
Yorgos Mitralias Promoteur “Manifeste Antifasciste Europeen”
Zbigniew Marcin Kowalewski Chercheur et Editeur, Pologne