Arbetaren (The Worker): for a libertarian socialist Kazulia

[Anarkist]

Arbetaren (The Worker) is a newspaper linked to the Kazulian anarcho-syndicalist trade union KAC and the party Anarkosyndikalisterna. It provides an alternative to the right-wing monarchist propaganda of the mainstream media, representing the vision of a libertarian socialist society built upon direct democracy.

[Anarkist]

KAC calls general strike, Lillestrøm city hall occupied and unelected mayor held prisoner

KAC (the Central Organisation of Kazulian Workers) has called a general strike in protest at the refusal of the establishment parties to grant mayoral powers to elected local councils, instead insisting on the appointment of all mayors by the unelected king. These mayors are able to take decisions which override the will of the people and serve to make local democracy irrelevant.

KAC's close ally Anarkosyndikalisterna received, at the last election, a majority share of the vote in a number of towns and cities, the largest of which is Lillestrøm in Sør-Trøndelag. Yesterday outraged workers, backed up by the KAC's militia, seized control of Lillestrøm city hall and are holding the unelected mayor prisoner. The local council has now assumed all of his powers and is calling upon the municipal police force to join the revolutionary struggle and refrain from arresting all those involved.

Throughout Lillestrøm workers and left-wing militants have taken to the streets, finally feeling a sense of freedom as the oppressive institutions of the monarchical regime are breaking down. Dozens of private businesses have overnight been taken over by their workers and revolutionary committees are being established in every neighbourhood. Similar scenes are being played out in other towns and cities across Sør-Trøndelag, a region of 20 million people. Parts of Porsgrunn and Vestvågøy have also experienced unrest.

In support of the revolutionaries of Lillestrøm, and in an attempt to force the regime to reinstate local democracy, KAC has called a general strike to be in force in all those areas where power has not yet been transferred to working people. KAC, which 10-20% of workers across Kazulia either belong to or are affiliated to in some way, hopes to bring as much of the country to a halt as possible. The duration of the strike is as yet unclear but according to KAC it should go on "as long as it takes before the monarchical-fascist regime relinquishes its power and allows a true democracy to be built in Kazulia from the bottom up".

[Anarkist]

KAC calls off strike; declares victory

The militant trade union federation KAC has called off its nationwide general strike after the establishment parties have agreed to the direct election of mayors and have handed Anarkosyndikalisterna control over the offices of Head of Government, Internal Affairs, Health and Social Services and Infrastructure and Transport. This change of heart from the other parties is a likely result of Anarkosyndikalisternas impressive performance in today's election increasing the fears of social revolution. The party's share of the vote surged from 22% to 35% and includes a massive 59% in Sør-Trøndelag and 46% in Porsgrunn. KAC's strike also paralysed key economic sectors while the revolts by workers and political militants spread throughout most of Sør-Trøndelag. The occupations of workplaces and town halls have been largely peaceful due to the authorities' reluctance to initiate any crackdown which would only make matters worse.

Anarkosyndikalisterna's entry into the government is likely to be greeted with anger and confusion by many of its more militant members as is KAC's call for an end to the strike. The party's executive council however has been keen to stress that revolutionary change does not happen overnight and needn't necessarily involve any violent seizure of power in the immediate future. Party member Kerstin Berglund, today selected as Head of Government, gave a speech to party supporters in front of Lillestrøm city hall several hours ago:

"We have won comrades, the dictatorial power of the king to appoint our mayors has been brought to an end and finally a party of the revolutionary, libertarian left is represented at the top levels of government. Our struggle has been hard and it is far from over. We know from experience that the ruling class does not voluntarily relinquish its power or suddenly begin to start working in the interests of ordinary people. It has to be forced to and that is why we must keep up the pressure in the years ahead. Like all of you I dream of a Kazulia governed by direct democracy, a modern free republic where all power structures and wealth inequalities have been smashed. We are not there yet but we have made important steps forward and hope to continue these within government.

"The occupations in Lillestrøm and other cities will go down historically as an amazing, courageous contribution to our democracy. However let us move on now and use our new powers within government and the municipal councils to ensure a better future for working people. In particular we must use the recently passed laws on democratic workers' councils to wipe out the capitalist, economic dictatorship which so long has been at the root of all that is wrong with our society. As anarcho-syndicalists we know that genuine workplace democracy is absolutely crucial in the emergence of a new society. We must be there in the workplaces to spread our ideas and show how libertarian socialism works at the most practical of levels".

[Anarkist]

Anarkosyndikalisterna excluded from government; worker militancy returns to Sør-Trøndelag, Porsgrunn

The establishment parties have shown what they think of democracy by excluding Kazulia's largest political party from government. A new coalition led by the 'liberal' LDP and including the 'centrist' MP and the openly-fascist KNA has seized power while the right-wing monarchist party Høyre seems likely to be re-established before the next election. Kerstin Berglund, who until recently held the post of head of government, expressed her fury at the new government, calling it "a government of fascists and criminals which has been established to prevent all moves towards a freer, more democratic Kazulia". Now that Anarkosyndikalisterna is no longer represented in government its supporters must "return to the streets and win back power through direct action".

The party's short period in government however has not been completely unproductive. Anarkosyndikalisterna briefly controlled the post of interior minister and during this time has allegedly destroyed many interior ministry files relating to the activities of Arbetarmilisen (an anarchist militia close to the party), including the entire KIPTSU archive. Parts of the Interior Ministry budget has also it appears been siphoned off into Arbetarmilisen, allowing it to recruit new members and buy several arms shipments from abroad. Arbetarmilisen aims to increase its membership to at least 100,000 over the next few years so as to better protect the interests of working people from both capitalist and state oppression.

In Lillestrøm the city council has responded to Anarkosyndikalisternas exclusion from government by voting to put the local police force under the control of Arbetarmilisen and revolutionary committees are again being re-established. Signs of similar measures being taken are emerging from dozens of other towns controlled by Anarkosyndikalisterna, especially in the provinces of Sør-Trøndelag and Porsgrunn. At the last election the party won over 50% of the vote in all major towns in Sør-Trøndelag and around half of the towns and cities in Porsgrunn.

[Anarkist]

Anarcho-syndicalist victory, monarchist coalition voted out

The Anarcho-syndicalists have won a convincing victory in the recent Kazulian national elections, taking 42% of the vote, well over double that received by their nearest political rival Høyre. In the party's stronghold of Sør-Trøndelag its share increased slightly and the Anarchists now enjoy the support of 69% of the population. Shortly after the results had become clear the party announced its attention to form a coalition with the centrist Mitten Partiet and now holds 9 out of 14 cabinet posts including Head of Government, Finance, Defence and Internal Affairs. The new cabinet brings to an end the right-wing monarchist coalition between the crypto-fascist Høyre and KNA and the liberal LDP. Any future alliance between these three parties has moreover been threatened by the revelations today that a powerful Anarchist faction within the LDP could possibly gain the upper-hand, resulting in an end to the party's support for the monarchy.

Newly elected Prime Minister Kerstin Berglund referred to her party's result as a "stunning victory for democracy and for working people across our nation". In her view it represents the "beginning of the end of the monarchical regime" and the emergence of a "new era of freedom and democracy for Kazulia". Ms Berglund believes that following the next election there is a "real possibility of us having the two-thirds majority needed for a democratic Kazulian republic" provided LDP and Mitten both drop their support for the autocratic king.

The Anarchist victory was greeted with joy in Lillestrøm and other party-strongholds of which there are now many in every single region of Kazulia. There the workers' struggle has been waged day in and day out, on the streets, in communities, in workplaces, in schools and universities. Crucial has been the support of KAC and the Anarchist militia Arbetarmilisen whose size and influence has expanded massively in recent years. But most important of all is the millions of working people across Kazulia who have, through their own work, fought for the dream of a free Kazulia built upon the principles of equality, justice and mutual respect.

Not so pleased is the right-wing, monarchical establishment led by Høyre. The party has quite simply refused to accept the results of the election, demanding that new elections be held in the hope that people can be intimidated into voting differently. Interior minister Lena Andersson has warned of possible anti-democratic activities by those close to Høyre and the KNA and has urged the authorities to remain vigilant should they attempt to cause any trouble.

[kylejenkins27]

OOC: how come u kazulians didnt put these topics in the news forum?