TO UNDERSTAND Strauss's candidacy and its importance, one has to grasp the class basis of the contending political parties. The essence of the 1980 elections will not be the contest between Schmidt and Strauss, but a confrontation of classes.
The CDU/CSU (liberals currently part coalition government with the SPD)
traditional parties employers, • structural personal ties to the bourgeois class.
For its part the social-democratic SPD is the traditional party of the (West) German working class. supported especially time - by a big workers, especially the working class vanguard. It has close structural and personal ties the trade federation, the DGB.
Consequently the sharpening of class conflict over the last twelve years has also been expressed in increased (electoral) support for the SPD in the working class, its highest scores being achieved in the industrial concentrations of the Ruhr. Class In the course of the last ten years this underlying class polarisation has been partially concealed. reason for this has been the crisis of the main bourgeois CDU/CSU:
After Adenauer's resignation as chancellor in 1963 the Democrats were unable forward a credible perspective match the new demands of bourgeoisie.
The candidacy of Strauss alters this situation: the CDU/CSU has pulled itself together and is putting forward a clear capitalist alternative. The previously latent class ation is thus sharpening dramatically.
What Strauss's candidacy reflects is that decisive sections of the German bourgeoisie are prepared to go for a firm policy (as is confirmed by inside commentators). The reasons for this choice can be summarised in three basic features of the present situation, even if one can't talk about a united aim of the whole bourgeois class here:
*First, the prospect of a new economic crisis. The awareness that a new crisis is on the way been expressed beginning of the year institution, the Bundesbank, has even carrying out a monetary and credit policy in line with this.
The bosses regard a CDU/CSU government, not to mention Strauss, as a more effective means of blocking trade union demands and even taking the intended to make the workers bear the cost of the crisis.
*Secondly, the crisis, and especially the aim of the most important capitalist sectors to carry out a nuclear on this point ccident, is at th • domestic policy) Schmidt is regarded 'nuclear chancellor' been applauded as such bourgeoisie, including Strauss.
But the bourgeoisie cannot be sure of the SPD. The SPD has already had drop important nuclear programme, and there could.
be further cuts at the congress which is due to take place in December. The future here is therefore too uncertain.
*Thirdly, Strauss ABORTION on Demand' icals 1v0 Week, PO Box 50, London N1 2XP. Singly 25)
exch our ico each. Make cuccues or ros oul one week CONFERENCE on 'Workers' Plans dae or blinderv stoperlam-oom, west nar Precinct, Romford Road, London E15. 17 Nov. Papers & registration IRANIAN socialist seeks room urgently. North Saman Cation, eTEo, London Or write to union The main of Bavaria, party, the Christian to put the polarisbourgeoisie's key policy growing energy programme. Ot (which, by heart of Strauss's and has by the interests in points of (majority facto provocative ments, early elections). - Cutting Polytechnic, Nuclear Dower priority. Science for People demonstration.
Please contact by phoning LODOOR unist Tendency. WITH West Germany's image of "social peace' badly dented by a series of major strikes, the main capitalist Christian [CDU], has decided that its election campaign next year will be led by right-winger Franz-Josef Strauss is currently prime minister Democrats are organised separately fitting representative of the bosses' Christian Democratic circles, even if the SPD wins the 1980 elections. Strauss offers an alternative solution to an SPD government, even within the life of the next parliament through realignments, constitutional judgeTWO DANISH Trotskyists need a room durin 20 Dex 1979 Copenhagen, BSSRS 1979 annual conference, Sar 24 Nov, To.J0DH WOrKSAOD. nazares fasoes 105), radical statistics, agricapital, local groups and review of year's work Conway Hall, Fri 16 sneaker Ph murony кео Democrats mean the Christian looks Strauss as an individual stands for a strong state, a policy which he has clearly sketched out speeches. As head of government, 0i course, he would modify this in som respects — if for no other reason thar that he himself remains tied to the existing relation of social forces.
This does not (yet) permit an open BSSRS 101h Anniversary meeting 30-10.30pm, 1 WC2. 1 neatre.
SI, London Speakers Maurice Wilkin PRS (Pres BSSRS), Neednam. РОГОТЛІ Adm: 75p, 40p wageless.
College SU, Central London.
RED LADDER is a socialist collective theatre company touring regionally. We are looking for preferably with musical skills one to start in Jan, another in summer.
term years! socials Brixion/Camberwell, child Socialist Challenge PO Box 50, London N1. as the Christian Social Union [CSU] * although the two generally run together in national victory for the CDU/CSU would that he would chancellor of West Germany.
the Fourth International at the developing polarisation in West Germany today.
I strong state policy, massive confrontation in pursuit of several the bosses interests. conservative mes (Heath then Thatcher; Giscard d'Estaing), that government would first attack the weak I points I movement. Its immediate programme | THE NEW BELT and Braces Band are playing LSE Poly inc Higl (Aldgate East Joseph against Corrie. Bar and disco. Adm: £1.50 support o OLDHAM public meeting agains Laws, sull Centre. Glodwick. Speaker: lan Martin (Gen Se Committee Against supported by Oldham TC COLLEGE Rank and File London Prince Albert, contact squal all-London, 8pm. Topic: A united frontin 1980 18 Nov A his election likely).
become WOLF, a called [GIM], arry I Ou as the only knowledge This • out confrontation Hour they mobilsallon wouldn't open and So, like other government program- by of Strauss workers defending workers.
Whitechapel 16 Nov. write examples Cobden Ave, Closing daie 8 Dec : Immigration 18 Nov, 4pm, Greenhill Community Immigration Laws Wharfdale Rd Outes A rigorous budgetary policy, with consequent effects in the public sector (job cuts, partial return of state enterprises to the private sector) and reductions in social provision.
An ideological offensive in the realm of the family (the paper Bild says: 'under Strauss, the number of again...') and of paragraph against the right to abortion.
Opening the floodgates to a and chauvinist campaign against foreign workers in prepara tion for increased unemployment.
A concrete threat to ban the radical left, particularly if there are "terrorist' (which Strauss candidacy - and even more would make But Strauss will put off as long as possible any direct confrontation with the decisive sections of the worker: movement - above all IG Metal (the metal workers union). If-such a policy for, however, Strauss would be the most suitable person to Che 1980 elections will therefor express a class polarisation unprecedented since 1952.
In 1972, when there was last an open polarisation around elections, it was expressed above all in a choice for the reform policy of Willy Brandt. An 'economic crisis then seemed far off.
Today, however, it's a matter first and foremost of coming out against the bosses' policy as summed up in Strauss's candidacy. It's a matter of clearly taking a position for the SPD alternative which can prevent a Strauss victory that there are fewer illusions in a Schmidt government and growing criticisms of its policy of capitalist stabilisation.
class polarisation will become so strong that it will cut the ground from under the feet of any candidature which does not take a clear position in this confrontation. Indeed, the extent of the polarisation could even squeeze the FDP, opening CDU/CSU majority.
The SPD and trade union leaders are, like Strauss, trying to limit this though their motives are different.
Strauss knows that the hour has not yet sounded for the realisation of his whole programme. Already he is letting it be known that he can arrange things - at least to the point inviting union leaders like Loderer and Vetter for discussions instead of squaring up to them straight away.
As for the SPD and the unions, tsarion like pole saine and plague merely be a movement against Strauss - it would also open the way to a growing criticism of the SPD and union leaders What it would mean would be a change in the policy followed till now important sections organisations, helping to restore the idea that they should once more act as defanisations of struere for a pothe interests wrier — possibly win awecung or penona.
giving references, experience ot work .10 , Leeds 12. Tel: 0532 7922289 Red Ladder CHILE SOLIDARITY CAMPAIG INTi ILLIMANI COnter Or LIH with ADRIAN MITCHELI Saturday December Ist at 5pm and 8pm ocan hat, Unversiy oi Londu ledford Way, London WC Tickoad, LondoN 09502-45 erS Socialist Challenge 15 November 1979 Page 13
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WHILE Chairman Hua was 'meeting all the right people? (BBC TV news), lunching on chicken and bombe glacé with Queen, John Pilger was telling us on ITV thai thousands of Kampuchean children are dying of starvation because of the West's failure to provide aid -same Chinese arse-licking.
China supports Pol Pot, therefore Britain must support Pol Pot and shut its ears to the screams of starving babies.
Unfortunately, Pilger was trying to make between British and American foreign destruction of the Kampuchean people got lost in a week full of images of Chairman Hua and Margaret Thatcher smiling cosily at each other, stepping on and off red carpets and generally 'hitting it off'.
week's viewing precisely because of this very .connections whích policy and the death and evil, about morality.
not mentioned at all. Destroyed solutions and faces of children, empty streets buildings, human inevitably remain comments about good and How Kampuches should be reconstructed; the role of its government and masses - were The film was clearly an attempt to stir the slumbering conscience of the West by an appeal to humanitarian values (which failed dismally case). Its appeal was anger forced his to search for the causes and it was focussed on Nixon and Kissinger.
Pilger's grief forced him to searcl for he loudly demanded aid denounced those who are withholding it. The camera dwelt on the faces of the tortured, dying destroyed DO CO - employing the
----- pull-quotes -----
leader of the CDU/SU is the most WHAT'S LEFT
the party, noted Strauss.
a chland *Strauss knows that the hour has not yet sounded for the realisation of his whole programme'
Below WINFRIED member of the Germany section of
class Crisis