Italy

For more informations see also our section in Italian and check the Website of the Italian Marxist magazine FalceMartello

• Successful national meeting of Italian Marxists
  On the weekend of 28-29 May, the picturesque town of Cortona in Tuscany was the scene of a very successful national meeting of the supporters of the Fifth Motion, the platform organised by the Italian Marxist tendency, Falce Martello. The rally was attended by over 140 comrades from about forty different federations of the Italian Communist Party. (June 1, 2005)

• Italy: the beginning of the end for Berlusconi
  The right wing in Italy suffered a devastating defeat in last weekend’s regional elections. Berlusconi’s party, Forza Italia suffered the most, losing 1.8 million votes compared to the regional elections in 2000 and 4.5 million compared to the 2001 general elections. This marks the beginning of the end for Berlusconi. By Fernando D’Alessandro (April 8, 2005)

• Comment of the Italian Marxists on the death of the Pope
  Yesterday we republished the article Wojtyla and Teresa, or a Case of Saintly Overproduction to mark the death of John Paul II. The Italian Marxists also published a translation of the same article, together with their own brief comment which we are making available here for our English language readers. (April 5, 2005)

• Claudio Bellotti speaking at the national congress of the PRC
  This is the intervention of Claudio Bellotti at the national congress of the PRC last week, available as a transcript and as a video. When viewing the video you have to be a little patient as there are about 15 minutes of organisational proceedings before the comrade starts to speak. (March 11, 2005)

• Break With Prodi: Prepare a Workers’ Alternative - Part Three
  In the final part of their document the Marxists in Rifondazone Comunista (FalceMartello) outline the crisis of Social Democracy and the Trade Unions. In answer to both the leadership who are preparing to join forces even with bourgeois parties and also the sectarian fringe who believe these mass organisations can simply be wished away, the comrades develop a strategy based on the best traditions of the Communist International in the days when Lenin's ideas dominated. By Claudio Bellotti and Alessandro Giardiello, members of the PRC’s central committee. (March 4, 2005)

• Break With Prodi: Prepare a Workers’ Alternative - Part Two
  In Part Two of the document of the Italian Marxists, presented at the national congress of the Partito della Rifondazione Comunista (PRC) which opens today in Venice, the comrades draw a balance sheet of the previous congress and deal with the questions of the war in Iraq, the crisis of capitalism in Italy and Europe and draw up a programme of transitional demands that the party should adopt. By Claudio Bellotti and Alessandro Giardiello, members of the PRC’s central committee. (March 3, 2005)

• Italy: The Marxists in the congress of Rifondazione Comunista
  Tomorrow the 6th national congress of Rifondazione Comunista opens in Venice. The party is being called on to join a future Centre-Left governmenet headed by Prodi, as it looks very likely that Berlusconi will lose the next general election. The Marxists of FalceMartello have intervened up and down the country in over 1000 local party congresses warning the ranks of the party that to go down this road would be a disastrous policy. We provide here a brief introduction by Fernando D'Alessandro and Part One of the document the Marxists are defending in the congress. (March 2, 2005)

• Important meeting of Italian Marxists: Preparing to fight
  On the weekend of 4-5 December, the national meeting of the comrades of the Fifth Document took place. The meeting was held in the premises of the PRC branch of via Confalonieri, Milan, with 140 comrades present from all over the country. (December 6, 2004)

• Italy: The Marxists at the 6th congress of the PRC
  In March the PRC is holding its 6th congress. Bertinotti, the party secretary, has made a very sharp turn to the right. For instance, he is no longer calling for the immediate withdrawal of Italian troops from Iraq. All this is part of a deal which would allow the party to be part of a grand coalition if the Centre-Left, “Olive Tree” alliance wins the next elections in 2006. At this congress the Marxists of Falcemartello have succeeded in getting their opposition congress document accepted as an official document, which is an enormous step forward for them. By Claudio Bellotti, Member of the National Executive of the PRC (December 1, 2004)

• Italy: Debate in Rifondazione Comunista
  Marxism, violence and non-violence
  Violent conflict is on the increase all over the world, both in terms of wars between nations and violent clashes between the classes. While war is waged in the Middle East we also see a growing tendency to use more brutal measures against the workers in struggle, with many being killed around the world. What should the position of Marxists be on this question? This has been the subject of debate within the PRC in Italy with Bertinotti taking the position that no form of violence is justifiable. Dario Salvetti gives a different answer. (March 2004)

• Militant mood among Italian workers
  We are publishing two articles from the Italian Marxist journal Falcemartello which give a clear indication of the level of militancy that is developing among the workers in Italy. Both the FIAT Melfi and the Alitalia disputes highlight the growing contradiction between the will to struggle on the part of the workers and the constant striving to hold down the movement on the part of the union leaders. This cannot last for ever. (June 11, 2004)

  • FIAT Melfi workers go back to work with heads held high!
    In an earlier article we reported on the tremendous struggle of the FIAT Melfi workers. Since then the workers have gone back, having gained some important victories, but nowhere near to what they could have won had the trade union leadership reflected the same level of militancy as the workers. By paolo Grassi (May 13, 2004)

  • Italy - Alitalia workers’ struggle
    Another example of heightened militancy of the Italian workers. But again, also an example of how the trade union leaders play the role of dampening down the mood rather than building up the struggle and spreading it. By Paolo Grassi (May 6, 2004)

• Italian Metal Workers Union supports Venezuelan UNT
  The National Congress of the FIOM-CGIL, the largest metalworkers' union in Italy, has passed a resolution recognising the UNT, and the union's national secretary Gianni Rinaldini signed the Hands Off Venezuela appeal. (June 7, 2004).
  See also Spanish version:
  Sindicato Metalúrgico Italiano apoya a la UNT

• Problems of the Italian Revolution
  A letter written to the Italian Trotskyists in 1930 in which Trotsky deals with the question of the Constituent Assembly and the perspectives for Italy at that time. He severely criticises those who attempted to mix the slogan of the Constituent Assembly with that of workers' soviets, and also showed incredible insight into how the process would unfold once the Mussolini regime collapsed. (May 14, 1930).

• A precious lesson from Trotsky on the Constituent Assembly and other matters
  This article should be read in conjunction with Trotsky's Problems of the Italian Revolution. It draws the lessons from Trotsky's work and how they can be applied today. By Fred Weston, June 9, 2004

• Successful conclusion to the Hands Off Venezuela speaking tour in Italy
  Jorge Martin's speaking tour of Italy came to a close last week with visits to Calabria, Sicily and Rome. All in all this was a very successful speaking tour, with some 1150 people participating in 20 meetings. (May 18, 2004)
  See also in Spanish Termina con éxito la gira de la Campaña Manos Fuera de Venezuela en Italia 
  And in Italian Ottima chiusura della campagna "Giù le mani dal Venezuela" in Italia

• Italian metalworkers’ union supports Venezuelan UNT
  As part of his speaking tour of Italy for the Hands Off Venezuela campaign, Jorge Martin spoke to the provincial congress of the Caserta FIOM (metalworkers' union). As a result the delegates unanimosuly voted a resolution supporting the UNT, the new union set up by the Venezuelan workers after the old CTV had passed over completely to the counter-revolution. (May 11, 2004) See also Italian version: Unità di classe fra i lavoratori italiani e venezuelani!

• Big welcome in Southern Italy for the Hands off Venezuela Campaign
  Jorge Martin's speaking tour of Italy has moved south to Naples and the surrounding region, where there have been some very successful and also very generous meetings. (May 11, 2004)
  See also in Spanish: Gran Bienvenida a la Campaña Manos Fuera de Venezuela en el sur de Italia
  And in Italian: Caloroso benvenuto alla Campagna "Giù le mani dal Venezuela" nel Sud Italia

• Very successful “Hands off Venezuela” meetings in Emilia-Romagna (Italy)
  Successful meetings in Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, Bologna and Ferrara, with good collections and some added excitement provided by the presence of provocateurs from the Venezuelan "opposition"! May 6, 2004
  Se also in Spanish: Gran éxito en los actos de "Manos fuera de Venezuela" en Emilia Romagna (Italia)
  And in Italian: Prosegue la Campagna "Giù le mani dal Venezuela" - Assemblee molto riuscite in Emilia Romagna

• Italy – big strike at the FIAT Melfi plant
  Only by deepening the struggle can victory be achieved!
  A very important dispute has been going on for nearly three weeks now at the FIAT plant in the southern Italian town of Melfi. Once used as an example of a "difficult factory to organise" it is now in the vanguard of the struggle of the Italian workers, with a display of militancy and determination to win. The strike has provoked hundreds of spontaneous solidarity strikes up and down the country. By Paolo Grassi (May 3, 2004).

• Update of “Hands off Venezuela” tour in Italy 
  Jorge Martin's tour of Italy continues to be a success. Also photos of the meeting in Milan are available (May 3, 2004).
  See also in Spanish: Actualización de la gira "Manos fuera de Venezuela" en Italia
  And in Italian: Aggiornamenti sulla Campagna Giú le mani dal Venezuela in Italia

• Excellent opening of the “Hands off Venezuela” campaign in Italy
  Despite the torrential rain, some 200 people attended a meeting in solidarity with the Venezuelan revolution in Milán, on April 29th. The meeting had been organised by the Party of Communist Refoundation (PRC), with the support of the Red Point Association and the “Hands Off Venezuela” Committee in Italy, and took place in the Milan Labour Chamber. (April 30, 2004)
  See in Italian: Eccellente debutto della campagna "Giù le mani dal Venezuela" in Italia
  See in Spanish: Excelente debut de la gira nacional de la Campaña “Manos Fuera de Venezuela” en Italia
  

• Italy: over a million of workers and youth say no to the occupation of Iraq!
  On Saturday, March 20, more than one million workers and youth marched through the streets of Rome, in one of the biggest demos against the occupation of Iraq anywhere in the world. This massive turnout reflects more than just opposition to war, but also a growing militancy among Italian workers and youth. By Roberto Sarti, FalceMartello Editorial Board. (March 23, 2004)

• Parmalat: the decadence of Italian capitalism
  At the end of last year, the Italian multinational company Parmalat collapsed like a house of cards after its management had admitted to falsifying the accounts for a period of at least 14 years. We cannot understand what happened if we see it merely in terms of personal greed. It is not simply a question of greed. The crisis of Parmalat flows from the deep crisis of the Italian economy. By Luca Lombardi, February 6, 2004

• Wildcat strikes in Italy: A turning point in the class struggle 
  Italy has been rocked by a number of strikes during the last six weeks. The municipal transport workers have been in the forefront, together with those at Alitalia. A new mood of militancy is developing among the Italian working class. By Roberto Sarti (January 14, 2004)

• One and a half million workers take to the streets during last week’s 4-hour general strike
  On Friday October 24, about ten million workers took part in a 4-hour general strike called by the trade unions against Berlusconi’s proposed counter-reform of the pension system. 1.5 million people workers participated in over 100 demonstrations throughout the whole of Italy. The strike was particularly successful in the public sector, in education, public transport, and the railways. It indicates that within a short space of time we will be facing a new and maybe decisive turning point in the class struggle in Italy. By Claudio Bellotti, (October 28, 2003).

• Italy: Berlusconi - mad man or useful tool in the hands of the bosses?
  The Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, does not know the meaning of shame. In an interview last week he said that Mussolini, "never murdered anyone, he sent people on holiday into internal exile". We can, of course, but laugh at all these "statements": the fact remains that, in spite of his seemingly "crazy" outbursts, Berlusconi does represent an important wing of the Italian bourgeoisie. By Roberto Sarti and Fernando D'Alessandro  (September 15, 2003)

• Italian working class takes a breather after the last mammoth struggle… and prepares for the next
  After two years of uninterrupted mass mobilisations, the political landscape in Italy is now changing. Since 2001 we have witnessed a whole series of struggles, including two 24hour general strikes and two multi-million demonstrations in Rome. The main point on the agenda now is not the next demonstration, but the necessary evaluation of the recent events, of the experience the masses have been through. By Claudio Bellotti in Milan (July 9, 2003)

• Italy - a balance sheet of two years of intense class struggle
  The Italian working class is now facing a crossroads. Since the year 2001 Italy has witnessed an uninterrupted series of mass mobilisations, probably the biggest ever in Italian history. But no mass movement can continue indefinitely forever if it does not achieve at least some results. This is the problem which is now facing the Italian working class and in particular its vanguard. By Claudio Bellotti (May 19, 2003).

• Italy: unions call for general strike the day the war breaks out

• Italian Transport Union calls a halt to the transport of weapons!

• Fiat Dispute reveals angry mood of the Italian working class
  During the past few months a bitter struggle has unfolded at most of Fiat's plants in Italy. Roberto Sarti of the Editorial Board of FalceMartello outlines events as they have unfolded. (January 28, 2003

• One million workers and youth march in Florence against the war in Iraq and the Berlusconi government
  The 50,000 people taking part in the European Social Forum last week in Florence were far more than the organisers had expected. The last day, Saturday, saw one million people marching in Florence against the war in Iraq and the Berlusconi government. There was a thirst for revolutionary ideas among the youth who were present, not seen since the 1970s. By Roberto Sarti, of the Italian Marxist paper FalceMartello. (November 11, 2002)

• Italy after the general strike - Heading for new explosions
  Following on from last week's report on the October 18 CGIL general strike in Italy we are publishing this article by Claudio Bellotti, a member of the National Executive of the PRC and of the Editorial Board of FalceMartello Bellotti explains how this strike marks a new turning point in the class struggles in Italy and that deep changes and further struggles are clearly under way. (October 28, 2002)

• Huge success of October 18 CGIL general strike marks an important turning point in Italian politics
  On October 18 the CGIL called a general strike without the support of the other two main trade union federations, the CISL and UIL. The latter actually opposed the strike and did everything to make sure it would not be a success. The bosses were also belittling the strike. Unfortunately for them this general strike was a huge success. There were demonstrations in 120 towns all over Italy and at least 1 million workers took part in the demonstrations. According to some reports the figure could even be close to 2 million. By Fernando D'Alessandro. (October 24, 2002)

• Italy September 1920: The Occupation of the Factories
  The Lost Revolution
  This month marks 80 years since the rise of Fascism in Italy. The Fascists were able to rise to power because the workers had faced a terrible defeat during the struggles of 1920. This article explains why that movement went down to defeat and draws the lessons for today. In the autumn of 1920 all the conditions for socialist revolution existed. At the crucial moment when the workers could have taken power their "leaders" blocked the road to revolution. By Fernando D'Alessandro (October 9, 2002)

• Italy: the CGIL prepares to go it alone - A new general strike on October 18
  After the government had reached an agreement with the other two trade union federations (CISL and UIL), the main federation, the CGIL, under the pressure of millions of workers, is preparing to organise another general strike for October 18. This time Cofferati is forced to go it alone. This will be the first time since 1968 that Italy will experience a "non-unitary" strike. By Alessandro Giardiello, from the editorial board of FalceMartello and member of the National Committee of Rifondazione Comunista. (September, 2002)

• Berlusconi lays his cards on the table: Another general strike in Italy this autumn?
  Right-wing premier Berlusconi has announced his plans to modify article 18 of the workers' statute (law protecting workers' rights) so that it does not cover workplaces with less than 15 workers. CGIL leader Sergio Cofferati declared that his union would reject all modifications and would do all in its power to stop such changes being implemented. Strikes have already taken place, and it is clear that the Italian working class will be in an even more combative mood by the autumn. Berlusconi's anti-working class measures combined with the effects of the current economic downturn are an explosive mixture. By Roberto Cressati and Claudio Bellotti. (July, 2002)

• A balance sheet of the recent national congress of the PRC in Italy
  Recently we received this report of the 2002 national congress of the Partito della Rifondazione Comunista (PRC, Party of Communist Refoundation). It is written by a comrade who was in the thick of the battle for ideas that took place at the congress, which came at an extremely interesting moment. The Italian workers have come out in force in opposition to the present Berlusconi government, with 3 million demonstrating in Rome, and a general strike of over 13 million workers. The next period will put to the test all tendencies within the labour movement, and we are confident that the genuine ideas of Marxism will, in the end, win the day. By Claudio Bellotti. (May 5, 2002)

• Italy: More than a general strike of 10 million workers
  The Italian general strike of April 16, the first in 20 years, was a milestone in the class struggle taking place. More than 10 million workers went on strike and over 2 million participated in demonstrations up and down the country. Prime Minister Berlusconi's ambition is to emulate Margaret Thatcher by inflicting a significant blow on the labour movement, and the CGIL trade union federation in particular. By doing so he wants to bring the other two federations, the CISL and UIL to heel, opening the way for the bosses to make an onslaught on workers' rights. By Roberto Cressatti, from the editorial board of the Italian Marxist paper Falcemartello. (April, 2002)

• Italian workers back on the move! April 16 general strike a huge success
  We are publishing this first immediate report on today's general strike in Italy. (A more detailed report will follow in the next few days.) 13 million workers came out on strike, which is more than the total trade union membership of CGIL, CISL and UIL combined. 2 million workers came out on demonstrations in 21 cities all over Italy. After many years of defeat and compromise the Italian working class is back on the offensive. By Fernando D'Alessandro. (April 16, 2002)

• Millions of workers flood Rome in the largest demonstration ever seen in Italy
  It is simply impossible to estimate the real size of the demonstration which flooded the whole centre of Rome on Saturday March 23, but it is likely that the figure was close to three million people. There were six different sections marching from different points and converging on the centre of Rome, in the Circus Maximus. This day will not be easily forgotten. By Claudio Bellotti. (March 25, 2002)

• Italy: the assassination of Marco Biagi is a gift to reaction
  We received this statement, from the Editorial Board of the Italian Marxist paper FalceMartello after the assassination of Marco Biagi, an Italian Labour Ministry advisor, in Bologna. Since the statement was written, the Red Brigades have apparently claimed responsibility for the assassination. (March 21, 2002)

• Tide turning in Italy: Open conflict between right-wing government and trade unions paves the way for a general strike
  The political and social position in Italy is developing at a fast pace. After several years of social truce under the centre-left coalition government, a sharp conflict is developing. Although we are still at the beginning of the process, we can say that its consequences will be far-ranging, and that the struggle that is now opening will affect all layers in the society and will provoke an earthquake in the Italian workers' movement, in the unions and in the left in general. By Claudio Bellotti, member of the National committee of the Partito della Rifondazione Comunista (Prc). (February 28, 2002)

• A week in Genoa - What lessons for the anti-globalisation movement?
  In this article, Dario Salvetti, a supporter of the Italian Marxist journal, FalceMartello, who actively took part in the Genoa demonstrations analyses the limits of the movement and draws a balance sheet of what should have been done. We believe that the lessons drawn should be taken on board internationally and applied in the future.

• After the shootings in Genoa: For a general strike now to bring down the Berlusconi government!
  By Fernando D'Alessandro (July 20, 2001).

• An appeal in preparation of the G8 summit in Genoa
  In the struggle against capitalism the working class has a central role to play
  In July of this year the G8 summit is going to be held in Genoa, Italy. Similarly to Seattle, Prague and Nice, Genoa will be an important gathering for all those who want to protest against the "status quo". We are publishing an appeal from comrades in Italy raising the question of the role of the working class in the struggle against imperialism and globalisation (June, 2001)

• Italy: the Olive Tree coalition suffers a defeat
  but the workers are beginning to stir
  The defeat of the Olive Tree coalition in the recent general election in Italy came as no surprise to anyone. In the past five years it had carried out a series of anti- working class measures that had led to the disillusionment of a significant layer of workers and youth. But now that the right wing is in power we can expect an explosive situation in the labour movement. (By Fernando D'Alessandro, May 18, 2001)

• Il Prc dopo il voto
  Vecchi problemi, situazione nuova
  Il risultato elettorale del Prc nelle elezioni politiche deve aprire una nuova fase nella riflessione del partito. È evidente la soddisfazione per aver "salvato la pelle" in una campagna elettorale nella quale non erano pochi quelli che speravano di vederci uscire schiacciati dal meccanismo elettorale e alla polarizzazione imposta attorno alle figure di Rutelli e Berlusconi. Tuttavia la soddisfazione non ci deve impedire una valutazione sobria del nostro risultato, e soprattutto dei nostri compiti futuri. (di Claudio Bellotti, 16 maggio, 2001.)

• L'Ulivo ha spianato la strada a Berlusconi
  Ricacciamolo via con le lotte sociali
  Come previsto le destre hanno vinto le elezioni, ce ne possiamo rammaricare ma questo serve a poco, diceva Spinoza "non piangere, nè ridere, ma capire". Ed è difficilmente contestabile che a preparare la vittoria di Berlusconi siano stati i 5 anni di governo dell'Ulivo. (Editoriale, FalceMartello No 147