Experts Fear Civil War as Red Forces Dispatch Troops To Patrol Communist Majority Areas
With membership of the Communist paramilitary the Red Forces recently skyrocketing well into the millions - estimated to have around 20 million signed up on a part- or full-time basis - in response to the deployment of FVN troops, some experts have warned that events could spiral into a full-scale civil war if left unchecked.
Communist leader Rudolf Bernstein has repeatedly called for peace, but in recent months his requests have become increasingly half-hearted. Is he embracing the violence or simply growing disaffected?
The Red Forces have been constantly patrolling majority Communist areas of late and defending the continuous protests. In some cases, protesters and counter-protesters have clashed violently, with the FVN and RF both intervening - but ultimately just fighting each other.
One woman, 61, who identifies as being on the centre-left of the political spectrum (but supporting the VKP), described the scenes as: “Stupid. It’s like a war zone. But the VKP has asked for paramilitaries roc be banned, they’re just defending themselves. They’re defending democracy.”
Meanwhile the VKP has encouraged mass strikes for public transport workers who are complaining they are underpaid. Yesterday, their third attempt at striking stretched to a ten-day streak, up from the last 48-hour strike. The response from the government is yet to be seen, but they’ve already caused mass disruption. Strikes have also been on the rise generally in the country, with businesses beginning to show concern.
“Unless the situation here calms down, and one of the two sides backs down, well - I’m not too sure we could work here.”
Mass protests are still occurring regularly. While the events of the mass flag burning protests - now commonly known as simply “The Fires” - have not been replicated, marches and protests regularly gather thousands and hundreds of thousands of Communist supporters. In Merenbürg last night, riots broke out near the banks as Communists clashes with right-wing supporters in a seemingly unplanned act. At least one person has died.
Anti-Thaller protests have been on the rise, despite the VKP still generally supporting the Monarchy.
Perhaps the most shocking events took place last week when police announced they had arrested two young men - 19 and 20, both working class Communist supporters - for plotting to attack the banks and burn the building down. Bernstein has condemned the act.
All of this, says historian Peer Schwarzkopf, points towards increased violence and tensions amongst the supporters of all parties. The official party figures have universally distanced themselves from events, but this is “perhaps more dangerous” warned Schwarzkopf. “We could be seeing the start of a civil war.”
“The only way to solve this crisis is to work together democratically - oppressing the VKP or vice versa will solve nothing.”