The congress took place in an optimistic mood caused by the marvellous result achieved in the national elections in September 2005, the successful start of work of the 53 member strong parliamentary group "The Left."

These days much has been said and written about Fausto Bertinotti, the political shifts he has taken, and his innovative and even daring approach to the problems faced by the Italian and European left.

Prime Minister Villepin poured fuel on the protest with his arrogant refusal to meet and discuss the draconian law, claiming it was essential to modernize France and make it competitive in “globalized markets.”

A very important step has been made: we defeated Berlusconi. Now we intend to rule Italy towards a change and to help the rise of a new political subject of the alternative left in Italy.

In December last year the Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic sent a warning letter to the Communist Youth Union (KSM) threatening the KSM with banning this youth civic organization.

The law they were protesting, called the CPE or “New Workers’ Contract,” would allow employers to fire workers under the age of 26 with little or no cause if they have worked for less than two years at that job.

The law would allow employers to fire people under age 26 without cause within two years of being hired...But student and labor groups say it will aggravate the problem and allow employers to treat young workers like trash.

TONY Blair's rambling tirade against the rest of the world was an unashamed paean of praise to the US neocons' Project for a New American Century.

It gives an interesting picture of the so-called UN Tribunal in The Hague, as well as of the system it represents, when again and again prisoners or suspects in its area of responsibility are losing their lives.

The overall election campaign of the Left Party influenced positively the movements outside parliament. It enhanced debate about alternatives to neo-liberal policies.

As we repeatedly warned, Cavaco Silva's election introduces negative factors in the present political and social context. It will encourage the most reactionary and revanchist sectors of the right and of big business and their desire to devour the national resources and wealth, making the struggle for a democratic and left-wing break with the right-wing policies more complex and challenging.

Some representatives from East European countries – who still like to present themselves as "victims of Communism" – are trying to find an opportunity to halt the re-strengthening of the communist parties and their youth organisations in their respective countries, and they even would like to eliminate those parties from the political landscape.

The peace process continues to be stalled as both governments attempt to put the pieces back together and get the Executive and Assembly running again. The British Secretary of State, Peter Hain, has stated that he intends cutting off the salary of members of the Assembly if the Executive and Assembly are not operational later this year.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) is preparing, at the end of January 2006, to pass a resolution entitled "On the Need for International Condemnation of Communist Regimes".

Late last year the Political Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted a draft resolution introduced by Göran Lindblad of Sweden, a member of the European People's Party, with the title "The need for international condemnation of crimes of totalitarian communist regimes."

Fifteen years after being declared dead and buried, the specter of communism is again haunting the minds of some of Europe's political leaders. On February 24, 2005, the European Ministers of Justice were to discuss a common strategy against racism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia.

By democracy, Bush and Reagan mean capitalist democracy, where everyone is formally equal, while the class of exploiters enforces its narrow interests. Workers' democracy involves informed participation. It is open and honest about class interests and it represents the interests of the overwhelming majority.

Andrew Murray the Chair of the Stop the War Coalition opened a conference in London on December 10th describing it as an “historic event” that brings together peace activists from around the world. Indeed, the conference included delegates from the United States, Britain, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, India, the Philippines, Canada, Poland, Greece, Italy, Spain and many other European countries.

We underline the fact that the US, which are the biggest world producer and owner of the weapons of mass destruction conduct more and more aggressive policy and start tensions in international relations. By introducing "prevention war" doctrine and label in arrogant way their political opponents "rouge states", American war machine creates growing threat to world peace.

'British troops should be withdrawn from Iraq before the 100th soldier dies', Martin Levy told the Communist Party of Britain political committee on Wednesday evening.