The resolution is formed as an analysis of how the Social Democratic led danish
minority government will have its budget for 1998 approved. Last year the Unity List
abstained from voting against the capitalist budget, contrary to past leftwing policy. The
resolution concludes in a critique of a continuation of last years policies, and advocates
a firmer line:
If such a situation develops, it is a tactical question whether the left wing - that is, the Unity List - will dare to mantain the NAY and risk not only that the Social Democratic led government falls, but also that all the media will put all the blame on the left wing. In that case, Unity List reelection in a subsequent election might be endangered.
The left wing in general and the Unity List in particular will have to abandon its old dubble doctrine, that a socialdemocratic led government allways must be saved, and that a socialdemocratic government allways gives the working class the best conditions for struggle.
First of all the Unity Lists presence in parliament is worth nothing at all, if it turns out to be nothing but a tail to a class cooperation line.
Secondly, the socialdemocratic led government has applied policies much worse against unemployed and peoble on social welfare, than the former conservative governments ever were. In a situation like that, it is no problem to cause such a government to fall, despite the risk for a subsequent conservative government, though generally we dont aspire for conservative governments.
If the left wing maintains this political position, it also has a good position in the tactical game surrounding the 98 budget. Actually the Unity List could exploit such a position, because it actually has a much better position than last year, as our MP’s have drawn up a fare 98 budget proposal, that given its approval would mean a destruction of the classcooperation line.
- There is actually no need for connecting the proposal and the final vote on the budget. The Unity List may easily decline the socialdemocratic budget proposal, decline to define its position on a final vote and let them present better proposals. They will know we have an alternative, but they wont know how we vote.
- This line is also preferable when considering mobilization in the factories and among the left within the unionmovement. It gives us the possibility to present a very clear critique of the bourgeois budget and its consequence for development of society. It is essential for the revolutionary forces not to be dragged into illusion causing debates on somewhat better or worse budgets. Instead we need to maintain our counter proposal for an alternative anticapitalist budget.
Finally VS in this specific situation wishes to make it very clear, that it would be a very deplorable signal to send out now, a few months away from the vote on the Amsterdam treaty, if the Unity List got itself mixed up in negotiations about a budget, that strongly reflects the EU harmonization policies.
On this background the annual meeting of the VS shall urge the Unity List not only to participate in the political game concerning the 98 budget, but also to put revolutionary socialist politics on the agenda.