What does the future hold for DiEM25, now that Yanis Varoufakis has become an MP in the Greek parliament?

Varoufakis is still active in the organisation, indeed scheduled to take part in one of the online events on May 11. However, being elected as a representative of DiEM25’s so called electoral wing brings its own responsibilities and may shift his focus.

This raises the essential question of whether the organisation is a political movement or a transnational party. It could, of course, mutate to being both, which might well be the best solution. At present there is a Europe wide coordinating body, national coordinating bodies and local collectives (inevitably of varying effectiveness) as well as advisory groups. DiEM25 has been true to its transnational ideal in allowing members in any country to stand and vote for the national bodies as well as determining their aims and priorities.

After the decision was taken (by a transnational vote) to establish an electoral wing there were subsequent votes on each country’s electoral grouping (with whom to cooperate, which elections to contest etc). Again these votes were open to all DiEM members in every country, but crucially irrespective of any member belonging to an existing party. This meant (and still means) that a lot of members of PES, Radical Left or Green parties could have a say in the electoral stance of a rival party in various countries during the European Parliament elections in 2019.

As a member of the UK Labour and Co-op parties, I decided not to take part in these votes within DiEM25, although I could have. However, it would be far better if participating in these votes were confined to members of DiEM who opt in, preferably declaring they are not members of other parties.

There seems to be a bifurcation between the original aim of furthering democracy in the EU and establishing a radical left transnational party that can contest elections. Of course, the latter could help the former; however, it would be advantageous to have an umbrella organisation that pursued democratisation and debated its nature and realistic ways to advance using existing structures. Inside that umbrella there is a possible role for a party pursuing that as its main aim.

An analogy would be the campaign for independence in Scotland. That has a body of people in favour not all of whom are members of, or vote for, the SNP - indeed there are plenty of members of other parties. Such a model would be a better way forward for DiEM 25.

Peter Smith

May 2020

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