Analysis

Peter Mertens, Havana, January 31, 2025, 6th International Conference for World Balance. Below is the full text of his speech.

In response to the demonstration for our industry that brought more than 10,000 people to Brussels in September, Pieter Timmermans, head of the FEB (Federation of Enterprises in Belgium), presented his vision for relaunching Belgium's industry. For him, cutting wages and eliminating the recognition of overtime is the way forward... In other words, the proposals emanating from the future Arizona government coalition (named after the U.S. State that has in its flag the five colors of the coalition’s composing parties). Harmful measures that have already proved ineffective.

Donald Trump has again been elected president of the United States. His victory is the victory of the US billionaire class who lavished hundreds of millions of dollars on his election campaign. It is also the defeat of a Democratic Party that no longer offers any prospects to young people and to the working class. Trump's election ushers in a new phase of authoritarianism in the US, and of hostility and tension around the world. But there is hope: a new generation of activists is ready to lead the resistance.

After the municipal elections on October 13, PVDA-PTB General Secretary, Peter Mertens, takes stock. The PVDA-PTB is gaining ground in all three regions of the country, with many new local representatives, many of them workers and young people. This gives us hope and prospects for the future.

Hello, ManiFiesta! Wow! Such a crowd! You should see yourselves from up here. Every year, this is a moment that gives me goose pumps. There's more than 15,000 of us at ManiFiesta! Thank you, ManiFiesta!

The Belgian government and Prime Minister Alexander De Croo have declared themselves in favour of a permanent ceasefire. This is a good thing, and shows that grassroots pressure is working. But the government can do much more to stop the massacres in Gaza. It must do more than just talk. Concrete actions must follow. Wednesday, November 29, 2023

On 3 November 2023 Peter Mertens had the privilege of giving the keynote speech at the launch of Jacobin Nederland at the Pakhuis De Zwijger in Amsterdam. Here is the full text of his speech.

Speech by Peter Mertens, General Secretary, Workers' Party of Belgium PVDA- PTB International Tribunal against the Blockade of Cuba, European Parliament, November 16, 2023

Dear friends, dear comrades, What a pleasure to meet again at this magnificent edition of ManiFiesta. The weather is superb, as is everyone around us. There are more than 15.000 people here today. I'd like to start by thanking all the volunteers who make this festival possible.

Speech by Peter Mertens, Secretary General of the PTB-PVDA, at the Cumbre de los Pueblos (peoples' summit), at the European Parliament, Brussels, July 18, 2023