Three days, twenty-seven events, more than forty speakers – 2026 ‘Socialism Days’
After seven long years, a nationwide ‘Socialism Days’ event organised by Sol (Sozialistische Organisation Solidarität – CWI Germany) took place in Berlin once again – and were received with great enthusiasm: 350 people took part in the panel discussions, meetings and networking sessions over the Easter weekend. And one thing is already certain: we won’t have to wait another seven years for the next Socialism Days!
In a packed hall, the Socialism Days kicked off with the premiere of the Sol film, in which we explained who we are and what we are fighting for. (You’ll soon be able to watch the Sol film online on the Sol YouTube channel).
The opening event was held under the slogan “Against crisis, war and capitalism – for socialism!” “To list all the crises of capitalism would go beyond the scope of this evening,” said Chiara Stenger as she began chairing the event. “It’s hard to be 18,” explained Jay Ewert, a member of the Left Youth and Sol from Berlin, because from the moment one becomes politically aware, “one crisis follows another”. Thorsten Donnermeier, an IG Metall shop steward at Volkswagen in Baunatal, received thunderous applause when he spoke out against the capitalist competition logic and social partnership. Whilst more car manufacturers are switching factories to war production, Thorsten emphasised the need for meaningful production. Ulrike Eifler, a trade unionist and member of the Left Party, Die Linke’s executive committee, warned against militarism and the rising threat of war: “The graves of those who fall in the next war will bear our names, not the names of the warmongers.” At the same time, she noted that the current rearmament policy is already harming the working population, as rearmament is always linked to cuts. Die Linke must therefore make the working class the focal point of the party’s work.
Tom Hoffmann from the Sol Executive Committee addressed the current situation in Germany and the impending cuts and attacks by the government: “Let’s wrap up warm and get our boxing gloves out!”, he concluded. And: “We need mass organisations. […] We must assemble more fighters!”
Global organisation against the global system
One of the core ideas of socialism has always been internationalism – the endeavour to counter the globally operating capitalist system with a globally organised working class. In keeping with this principle, the Socialism Days were an international and internationalist event. Speakers and guests from England, France, Scotland, Austria, the Netherlands, Israel/Palestine, Iran, Syria, Turkey and a great many participants with migrant backgrounds took part.
Cécile Rimboud, a member of Gauche révolutionnaire, the French sister organisation of Sol, kicked things off passionately with the cry: “Let’s make Macron’s life a living hell!” Maksim Mershed, a Syrian Marxist and member of the Iskra group, spoke about the crimes of imperialism. Yet this does not make him despair, for Iskra’s conclusion is: “Anyone who wants to take part in a revolution has been born at the right time.” Michael Gruvin, a member of the “Socialist Struggle Movement” in Israel and Palestine, spoke about the horror of the war in Iran and the massacre of Palestinians in Gaza: “Bombs can destroy dreams, but they cannot suppress the desire of millions in the Middle East for freedom from imperialism.” Finally, Hannah Sell, General Secretary of the Socialist Party in England and Wales, spoke about the rottenness of capitalism and concluded: “The system is ripe to be overthrown.”
Left-wing debates
In this spirit, a wide range of discussions took place on Saturday and Sunday. In five to six parallel events, political, international, historical, theoretical and practical topics were explored in depth. From Marxism and climate change to an analysis of the former GDR and the fight against the far right – there was something for everyone. But the Socialism Days are more than just an exchange of ideas – we want to contribute to the debate and the networking of left-wing forces. That is why we organised panel discussions with representatives of left-wing organisations, in which we were able to discuss differences, common ground and joint activities. We debated with representatives from the anti-racist campaign “Widersetzen” and the “Class Struggle” current within the Left Youth regarding strategies in the fight against the AfD; with Left Youth members on building a socialist youth organisation; with a supporter of Marx21 on the development of Die Linke; with Iranian activists on the situation in their homeland; and with members of the Workers’ Party of Turkey (TİP) about class struggles in Turkey and the role of the TİP. Fabian Goldmann also presented his new book “Staatsräsonfunk”, published by Manifest-Verlag, and there was a lively discussion about the role of the German media and the German state’s raison d’état (reason of state) of supporting Israel.
The highlight of these debates was undoubtedly the panel discussion on Saturday evening. Represented by our national spokesperson, Sascha Staničić, we discussed the question with Nina Bömelburg and Vedi Emde: ‘Die Linke between government participation and class struggle – what kind of party do we need?’ Sascha outlined the necessity of building a workers’ party in the struggle for socialism. However, there is a danger that Die Linke will squander the potential created by its rise. In this context, the party’s left wing must not merely criticise, but must fight for this party: “We must not leave Die Linke to the Gysis and Ramelows!” (leading representatives of the party’s right wing)
Nina, district chair of the Vulkaneifel district association and a lead candidate for Die Linke in March’s state election in Rhineland-Palatinate, delivered a powerful speech in which she emphasised the Die Linke’s prospects. However, Die Linke must stop making only defensive demands – it must demand improvements proactively: “A good life for everyone, not just for a select few!” Vedi, a member of the district executive of Die Linke Neukölln, Berlin, received enthusiastic applause for her stance on the “anti-Semitism debate”: “It is not Israel’s right to exist that is under acute threat, but Palestinian lives and the existence of Palestine.” She called for the democratisation of the party: “The rank-and-file must be in charge!”
This was followed by a lively debate with 16 contributions from the audience. Many spoke of their experiences working within Die Linke, asked questions or presented their views. In the end, one thing was clear: without Die Linke, Germany would be a darker place. However, Die Linke must not become a defender of the status quo, but must challenge the capitalist system. To this end, Sascha Staničić proposed launching a new network of party left-wingers, which met with a positive response from many participants.
Build an army of socialism!
Despite the many horror stories, wars and crises, the Socialism Days were an event that inspired hope and motivation. For, as one participant put it, it is not naive to be optimistic. Socialists are convinced that the working class can change the world. That is why our closing plenary was titled ‘Building a force for revolution and socialism’.
There, representatives of the Committee for a Workers’ International (CWI) from various countries presented our programme and our methods. Tony Saunois, Secretary of the CWI, spoke of the raging class war and the necessity of building the army of socialism. “Capitalism does not merely exploit; it divides.” Sonja Grusch, a member of the Socialist Offensive in Austria, summarised the intertwining of capitalism, racism and right-wing agitation in her analysis. Berkay Kartav, a member of the National Committee of the Socialist Party in England and Wales, convinced us that we can win, using the example of the Russian Revolution, the historic victory of the workers over capital. He concluded with the call: “Invest more – including your money, but above all your time and energy – in building a socialist alternative!” Finally, Angelika Teweleit from the Sol Executive Committee spoke. She outlined our methods and our successes. And once again – because it cannot be repeated often enough – she called on everyone to join Sol – and thus also the struggle for “365 days of socialism a year”.
After three intense days and a joint rendition of The Internationale, we then set off for home, our heads full of impressions and new ideas, feeling motivated.
For us Sol members, who had spent months preparing this event, the Socialism Days proved to be a complete success. Almost two-thirds of the participants were not Sol or CWI members. A member from Mainz summed it up: “Above all, I was delighted by how many different people were there; people who are newly politicised, from the Left, Left Youth, trade unions, who are engaging with our ideas. A real sense of optimism!” We are particularly pleased about the fifty people who want to get more involved with Sol, and about the seven new members who declared their membership during the Socialism Days.
The Socialism Days will take place again in 2027. The venue and date will be published soon on solidaritaet.info!