Greek Socialists Unite HE three major Socialist (ice. social-democratic) organisations in Greece, namely: The Socialist League, The Socialist Party (formerly: Soc. Union), and The Socialist Club, decided to merge into one organisation, the Soéial Democratic Union. Negotiations between the three groups started last summer. Joint declarations of principles and policies were approved and signed by representatives of all parties in the specially-set-up co-ordinating committee for the unification. In separate congresses, held by each organisation, the unification was approved. As a result, the respective organisations decided to terminate their activities as separate units and to merge into a new one, the Social Democratic Union. The unification Congress was held in Athens on 5th and 6th December, The Congress was attended by: —Head Priest Peirounakis of Eleusis near Athens, —Mr. A. Kastrinos, M.P., of the Centre governing party (he suddenly died a few days after), -—Mr. St. Triantafyllakis, trade unionist, | representing — the A.S.E.K. (independent Socialist Trade Union Movement). Members of the A.S.E.K. were also delegates, as former members of the Socialist Club). Further to the delegates of the three merging ‘organisations, in the Congress participated: —representatives of (the political society “Alexandros Svolos” of Thessaloniki, and —the Cypriots: Mr. K, Christodolides, M.P., and _ secretary general of the Famagusta Free Labour Centre, and the trade unionists Messrs. Papafotis and Haloulos. Finally, among the elected delegates there were representatives of the regional organisations of the Socialist Club in West Germany (students and workers) Each of the three organisations participated in the Congress with 50 elected delegates, taking the total number of delegates to 150, plus the extra representatives from Cyprus and from the Alexandros Svolos Society of Thessaloniki.
The Congress approved, in prin-
ciple, the documents that have been
prepared by the tripartite co-ordinat-
ing committee, namely:
—Declaration of principles,
—The Programme, and
—The Rules.
In view of the fact, however, that
several amendments (mostly of
secondary importance) on all the
above documents were suggested by
some delegates, it has been decided
that three special committees would
be set up to deal further with the
respective three documents. These
committees wili have to work out the
final texts, to be approved by the
January 1965 Session.
The Congress delegates elected the
Central Committee, consisting of 27
regular and 9 alternate members.
The Central Committee, at its ses-
sion of 1th December, elected
among its members the Executive
Committee, consisting of 9 regular
and 3 alternate members.
The Executive Committee, at its
session of 15th December, elected
among its members the Presidium of
the Social Democratic Union, con-
sisting of 3 members.
In all the above elections an equal
representation of the former three
organisations was ensured, as it has
been agreed upon. This has been
deemed necessary at this stage. Next
Congress, which will be held in the
second half of 1965, elections will
be held without restrictions or con-
sideration to past membership in the
old organisations.
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