The radical Left-wing forces were divided over the credibility of Plan A, in other words the possibility of an in-depth reform of the EU, but united over the need for a Plan B, in other words a negotiated withdrawal from the European Union, at the 4th Plan B Summit held in Rome on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 March. As regards leaving the EU, the delegations were broadly in favour of an amicable collective divorce.
“This is a very important stage”, Sophie Rauszer, political attaché of the GUE/NGL and member of the delegation to the summit of the Parti de gauche (France), said in a video declaration, going on to hint at differences of opinion subsisting between the various political groups. “We have just adopted a declaration stating that although we attach differing importance to the credibility of Plan A (…), we all agree on the need for a Plan B, a clean break with the European Union”. Plan B may also serve as a negotiating tool and leverage in Plan A, she added.
The Greeks – in the person of Zoe Konstantopoulou, former president of Vouli and former member of Syriza – were reported to have taken the toughest line against the EU, according to the online information website Mediapart. Konstantopoulou argued in favour of going straight Plan B, in other words leaving the EU without trying to reform it. Others, particularly the French delegation, represented by the Parti de gauche and France insoumise, feel that the power balance would be more in France's favour due to its economic and demographic weight. Consequently, the French delegation does not feel that the best option is to opt immediately for a break with the treaties.
An "amicable" collective divorce. The outlines of Plan B have shifted. “Apart from Zoe (Konstantopoulou), everybody agreed that in the event of Plan B, the withdrawal must be concerted and therefore European”, a source close to the dossier told us, adding that this was the great innovation of this fourth summit. Here again, the Greeks are reported to be the only ones defending the unilateral option, whilst the other delegations would prefer a collective divorce. Our source said that the latter option would be preferable, as it makes it possible to “start thinking now about what happens afterwards, setting in place embryonic alternative cooperation mechanisms from the very start of the process of breaking with the old order”.
According to reports by Mediapart, the speakers are considering several different withdrawal scenarios: some prefer the reintroduction of national currencies under the aegis of a common currency for international trade, others are thinking about joining the Bretton Woods gold standard, with the idea of an international unit of account on which the European currencies could be based.
Declaration of the Plan B Summit. Following the Summit, the various delegations signed a declaration laying down Plans A and B. As regards the plank on EU reform, the signatories are calling for the following, amongst other things: - a reform of the European Central Bank; - the abolition of the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union (TSCG); - economic policies in favour of demand (by increasing wages); - fighting tax competition and tax havens; - the adoption of a social protocol to protect social rights; - a new migration and asylum policy based on respect for the human rights conventions; - the inclusion of a framework in the treaties to allow an ordered withdrawal from the Eurozone whilst keeping exchange rates stable. In addition to Plan B, the signatories are in favour of actions to support civil disobedience against certain European policies.
Various members of the European Parliament from the GUE/NGL attended the event. However, some of them regretted the absence of representatives of radical left-wing parties from central and eastern Europe and the poor turnort of parties from northern Europe.
The Plan B Summit was launched following the stand-off between Greece and the Troika in 2015. The first was held in Paris in January 2016 (see EUROPE 11475). A fifth Plan B Summit will be held in Lisbon in October 2017 to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the Treaty of Lisbon. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)