In recent years we have been in a situation of instability: economic crisis, authoritarian management of the pandemic, wars, rising prices... Over time, the life model based on authoritarianism and poverty is spreading through Western countries and the living conditions of thousands of workers are deteriorating. However, the authorities and the main mass media are hiding what is at the heart of all this: the attack on bankers and big business. The crisis seems to be a neutral event that we all suffer, but the reality is totally different: while big business and bankers are doing business, the living conditions of workers are in decline.

Anyone would say that it is time to address this situation, but things are not so simple. Because the government of the Spanish coalition wants to sell the idea that is working for humble citizens, and that cannot be denied. Because, although everyone recognizes that the situation is serious, the idea that the government is making of everything in its power is widespread in society: "At least the government is giving aid, even if they are small", "it is much better than governing the right what we have now", etc.

In short, the message that is now intended to spread "the most progressive governments of all time" is that, above all, this government is a government of humble and working-class citizens who are making the "social shield" of those who are worst in the world. At the same time, the solution to this situation requires a national pact between employers and workers.

But these government measures are little bread and fraud for workers. Although they say otherwise, the government always prioritizes the interests of big business. How can you understand if you do not set a 2% limit on rental prices, when there has been an average increase of 41% in recent years? How can one understand that some foods lower VAT when the shopping cart has increased by 14%? The same applies to other measures: the price of fuel has increased by 50% in recent years and aid of 20 cents per litre, which has already been withdrawn, paralysed evictions and in 2022 there were at least 21,888 evictions… These measures do not paralyse the impoverishment of workers or affect business profits. In recent months we have seen the benefits of Mercadona, Iberdrola, vulture funds, banks, etc. increase.

As if it were not enough, the "most progressive government of all time" has expanded the means to suppress protest, hardening the crime of public disorder and increasing police budgets.

In this context, it is necessary to mobilise outside the parliamentary system and to express its opposition at street level. Professional politicians create a political blockade, that is, they block the possibilities of radically transforming the impoverishment that we live in: on the one hand, because, although the crisis generates social discontent, they have the means to channel it (media, state structures, financing...) and on the other, because at all times the interests of big business prevail. Because they depend, among other things, on the orders of the European Union and on international capital.

Thus, among workers, there is a predominance of demobilization, a lack of hope in changing things, a lack of illusion in the struggle and disadhesion. That is why we must go out into the streets and, at the same time as we show opposition to the authorities, we must extend hope and passion for the struggle between workers. That is what the demonstrations we are going to be holding on 28 January are looking for: let us make it clear that in a state led by large businessmen and professional politicians the situation cannot be radically changed, but that we need an independent alternative from the workers, with the objective of the Socialist State of the workers.

It is time to extend unity and passion for fighting between the unemployed, young people, students, different workers, immigrants, working women..., not to swallow government frauds and wait for a business pact. Instead of waiting for better governance of big business, it's time to go out into the street and organize with our advocates.

Faced with the attack by employers and authorities, young workers are fighting.

Naroa Aranburu Barandiaran, Young Socialist Coordinator