- MAY/JUNE 2024 -

Dear Megaphone reader,

Just a few more days until voting begins in the European elections. After endless TV debates, slogans, and grand promises, you spend a few minutes at the polls to cast your vote, and then it’s over. Is this what “democracy” means today? It's easy to feel disillusioned, but let’s remember that winning even this limited form of electoral democracy was a hard-fought victory for working people, and access to the polls remains crucial.

Industrial workers and trade unions played a significant role in pushing for broader electoral rights. They organized strikes, protests, and campaigns demanding political representation and the extension of voting rights to working people. Across Europe, women's suffrage movements were instrumental in securing voting rights for women. In several countries, farmer movements also played a role in demanding voting rights, especially in societies where rural populations were significant and often disenfranchised.

Today, neoliberal governments are hell-bent on commodifying almost everything we value: health, employment, education, the environment, participation, international solidarity, and peace are all sacrificed for the sake of profit.

We want to change these priorities. Your vote alone may not change everything, but together with many others, you can influence the balance of power. The Left brings the struggle from the streets and the workplaces to parliament because your voice does matter.

In our final issue of Megaphone before the European elections, read about the battles we have fought for you in Parliament.

HIGH FIVE

Five turbulent years - a recap Listen to our latest podcast episode! From landmark legislation to heated debates, we explore the highs and lows, victories and setbacks that have shaped the political landscape in Europe since 2019. Find out more here.

Recognising Palestinian statehood The Left has consistently supported the Palestinian cause and the pursuit of peace in the Middle East. In the context of the ongoing horror being inflicted upon Gaza, recent announcements by Spain, Ireland, and Norway to recognise Palestine as a sovereign state underscore a growing international consensus. Read more here.

Excess profits for a few, excessive cuts for the many? The EU has again opted for austerity, blocking investment in climate action and public services. Economically destructive and immoral austerity policy is a political choice, not a necessity. Meanwhile, we show how an EU-wide levy on windfall profits of large corporations could pay for half of the EU’s current budget - read all about it here.

A broader vision for a more humane and just society A 4-day work week could be a game-changer, addressing economic inequality and enhancing workers' quality of life. Discover how this innovative approach can reshape our future in our latest study. Read it here. 

IDAHOBIT & Pride Month June is Pride Month and a time to reflect on the queer struggles we've won and the ones we're still working on. We celebrate the unwavering resistance and resilience of LGBTIQ+ collectives across and beyond Europe and vow to keep the movement at the heart of our work. More.

FACTS AGAINST FAKE NEWS  

You want to know more about who’s blocking climate action in Parliament, who supports taxing the rich, or who fights for equal rights for all? Follow us on Instagram for regular fact-checks on these crucial issues!