2019 January SU:P Newsletter (Vol.45)

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Table of Contents

1. Interview with Die Linke Executive Board Member Claudia Haydt

2. Interview With Five Star Movement Deputy Pino Cabras


1. Interview with Die Linke Executive Board Member Claudia Haydt

Die Linke which translates as “The Left” is Germany’s left/progressive party. It was founded in 2007 incorporating political strands from West Germany (those dissatisfied with the Social Democrats) and East Germany (former members of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany). It is a dynamic party with the greatest growing support among the youth and first time voters. Die Linke which translates as “The Left” is Germany’s left/progressive party. It was founded in 2007 incorporating political strands from West Germany (those dissatisfied with the Social Democrats) and East Germany (former members of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany). It is a dynamic party with the greatest growing support among the youth and first time voters.

Understanding Die Linke

What is Die Linke’s vision for a better society? What are its challenges and hopes? (read)

Lessons for Korea

Germany has a pure proportional parliamentary system which is currently a hot topic in Korea’s progressive circles. What are the strengths and challenges of such a system. In addition, much like the Korean Peninsula, Germany had been divided until the fall of the Berlin wall. What lessons can Korea learn from Germany’s reunification process? (read)

2. [Solidarity Statement] Hands Off Venezuela!
The anti-establishment and populist Five Star Movement formed based on various local grassroots struggles. In the course of a few years, the Five star Movement skyrocketed into power winning the greatest votes in Italy’s March 2018 Parliamentary elections (32.5% in the Senate, 32 in the Chamber of Deputies). On June, it became the second grassroots populist movement in Europe (after Greece’s Syriza) to enter government by forming a coalition government with the right-wing populist party, the League.

Progressives Take Power

What led to the Five Star Movement’s meteoric rise to power? What are their central issues? (read)

Participatory Democracy

One of the defining characteristics of the Five Star Movement is its offline and online participation. How is it still able to maintain this participation after taking power? (read)