The author is blaming KKE (who had 8% of the vote) for the left not being able to work together.

I almost didn't post it just because of that. BUT it is a perspective that probably should be at least mentioned and discussed. And remember we are a Trotskyist organization and the KKE is Stalinist. Ergo there are some differences in perspective, if not strategies and tactics involved.

Here's my thoughts on the KKE. They've been in a left phase now for a few years. They (and PAME, their trade union org) has been instrumental in a leadership role in the demonstrations and strikes for 4 or 5 years now. Even as a Trot, I will and have given them props for that.

HOWEVER the KKE has been in a holding pattern using the same tactics and strategies FOR that 4 or 5 years now even though the SITUATION has intensified. They won't join a left coalition because they're revolutionary and the coalition is bourgeois (correct BTW about the coalition being bourgeois), yet they won't take the NEXT revolutionary step and call for a longer term general strike for the overthrow of the system. I also think that this holding pattern has hurt the KKE with the people. They were one of the few groups in the last election that didn't gain OR lose. They pretty much stayed with the same percentage of the Greek electorate that they always get. Which means they're not appealing to any new constituents.

A revolutionary situation has a time limit. The people get discouraged doing the same thing over and over without success. You either have to progress in tactics or lay back and wait for the NEXT opportunity. If you progress to the next step in a revolutionary situation, you call for an indefinite general strike and the setting up of worker's councils and an armed worker's militia for self defense. IOW, you set up a dual power situation (which also has a time limit for effectiveness) and work for the revolution out of that. If you decide the timing is not right for those steps, you back up and work on other tactics.

One of those other tactics is participating in bourgeois "democracy". Communists can and do go into coalition governments. By running Communist candidates in the elections, you are, by definition, participating in bourgeois democracy. So you might as well go into a radical (not revolutionary) left coalition government for a couple of reasons. You go into a bourgeois coalition to influence it in a revolutionary direction and to peel away elements, individuals and groups, from the bourgeoisie to the revolution. And even if you don't do it for that reason, you go into it to act as left pressure on the left government.

In short, I WILL and DO give them props for what they've done, but it's a "shit or get off the pot" moment in Greece. The KKE has to choose which direction to take.

I do like the head of the KKE and their class analysis is always so strong. It's hard for me to argue against them. That said when you think of why KKE would refuse there are probably many reasons (and I hope others chime in). If it were me, I'm not a violent type so I probably would give the coalition a chance. KKE on the other hand may want the fight - they may hope it gets violent (despite the fact that PAME to this point has refused to be provoked) so that the whole thing can be overthrown and start over. That's a guess, I may be totally off base.

ETA - and as you mention it is time to move. If you wait too long your moment passes - and/or someone else takes it. Like the fascists.

That' EXACTLY who I was thinking of. This type of situation is a primary breeding ground for the fascists. As witnessed by their surge in the last election.

The left has a chance to do something, but if they don't get it done, the fascists will get their chance.

Cynically, I could argue that the KKE is holding back from a coalition because they don't want to get tarred by a failure of the bourgeois left. And/or because they want to be acknowledged as the ONLY revolutionary group in Greece. But they're not the only revolutionary group AND there are groups and people that will never trust a Stalinist party to come to power. Alone anyway.

As I've said before the KKE needs to lead, follow, or get out of the way. To lead, they need to call for a revolution in the fundamental Bolshevik way. To follow, they need to help by coalition. Maybe this is their way to get out of the way. I just hope that doesn't lead to fascism.