Greek Communist KNE wins university student elections for the fifth year running

Images via the KKE

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) reports that "Panspoudastiki KS," the list supported by the Communist Youth of Greece (KNE), once again emerged as the leading force in the university student elections held across Greece on Wednesday May 13, securing 32.47% of the vote and more than 14,900 votes. The list supported by the New Democracy government (DAP) came second with 25.40%, while that of the social-democratic PASOK (PASP) placed third with 11.22%. Other forces originating from the likewise social-democratic SYRIZA received just 0.54%.

In a statement, the Secretary of the Central Council of KNE, Thodoris Kotsandis, stressed, among other things:

“In the student elections, thousands of young men and women found a breath of fresh air and renewed hope with the victory of Panspoudastiki KS for the fifth consecutive year, once again leaving the government-backed DAP in second place!

Students took a stand on everything affecting their studies and their lives; they condemned the government and its policies. They strengthened their own voice in favour of a university open to knowledge and militant demands but closed to business interests, military research, and state authoritarianism. The message is clear: the government must not dare to revise Article 16 of the Constitution*, a move that would lead to the devaluation of degrees, their equivalence with private college qualifications, and the widespread introduction of tuition fees.

(...) Students have once again turned their backs on the government-backed DAP. PASP, the PASOK list, remains at low levels but led the way in anti-communism and support for government policy, a prime example being its defence of the revision of Article 16. SYRIZA and various one-person parties demonstrated just how far removed they are from the vibrant dynamics of the youth movement, as they failed to field even a single candidate nationwide.

The members and friends of KNE, together the thousands of candidates standing with Panspoudastiki KS, are taking on the great responsibility of honouring the trust placed in them by thousands of students, so that student unions may be revitalized and the student movement can go on the counter-attack! So that students may join forces with the KKE on the path of struggle and revolution!”

*Article 16 of the Greek Constitution establishes the exclusively public character of universities