How the Greek Revolution was Betrayed: A Complete Timeline

A decade ago, Greece became the epicentre of a political earthquake. Brutal EU and IMF-imposed austerity measures provoked a revolutionary struggle by workers and youth, who vested their hopes in the left-wing SYRIZA government to take on the institutions of European capitalism. But in the end, these reformist leaders prepared a betrayal. What are the lessons of Greece that must be learned for the class struggle today?

In this episode of the Spectre of Communism podcast, Francesco Merli, leading member of the Revolutionary Communist International, takes us step-by-step through the whole process, beginning with the impact of the financial crisis of 2008 that saw Greece’s creditors inflicting economic warfare against the country. Francesco explains that the Greek workers and youth did not take this lying down, launching multiple back-to-back general strikes over the course of seven years, before finally electing SYRIZA on a radical reformist programme in 2015.

Today, class fighters around the world continue to draw inspiration from the heroism and fighting spirit that the Greek people displayed over this long struggle. We point to the experience of the SYRIZA government as a concrete illustration of the betrayal inherent in reformism. The lessons of Greece are invaluable for the victory of the future European and world revolution!

📖 SOURCES CITED 📖

‘Lessons from Greece’, In Defence of Magazine Issue 50, Summer 2025, Arturo Rodriguez:

🔗 https://marxist.com/magazine.htm

‘The class struggle in Greece’, Alan Woods:

🔗 https://communist.red/the-class-struggle-in-greece/

‘Tsipras addresses American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce’, Tovima,

🔗https://www.tovima.gr/2013/12/03/international/tsipras-addresses-american-hellenic-chamber-of-commerce/

‘Greece: SYRIZA leaders preparing for government – what is the next step?’, Fred Weston and Stamatis Karagiannopoulos:

🔗 https://marxist.com/syriza-leaders-preparing-for-government-what-is-the-next-step.htm

‘Greece: Historic victory of left - First time in history a party with roots in Communist movement wins elections’, Communist Tendency of Syriza:

🔗 https://marxist.com/historic-victory-of-the-left-in-greece-for-the-first-time-in-history-a-party-with-roots-in-the-communist-movement-has-come-to-power.htm

‘SYRIZA in power, the crisis and the Greek revolution’, Marie Frederiksen:

🔗 https://marxist.com/syriza-in-power-the-crisis-and-the-greek-revolution.htm

‘Why Greek Exit From The Euro Would Be A Very Bad Idea’, Frances Coppola, Forbes:

🔗https://www.forbes.com/sites/francescoppola/2015/02/17/why-greek-exit-from-the-euro-would-be-a-very-bad-idea/

‘Greece: No surrender to the Troika!’, Fred Weston:

🔗 https://marxist.com/greece-no-surrender-to-the-troika.htm

‘Greece: A troika by any other name would smell as rotten’, Jorge Martin:

🔗 https://marxist.com/greece-a-troika-by-any-other-name-would-smell-as-rotten.htm

‘Greece: The moment of decision’, Alan Woods:

🔗 https://marxist.com/greece-the-moment-of-decision.htm

‘Varoufakis’ mission “to save European capitalism from itself”’, Fred Weston:

🔗 https://marxist.com/varoufakis-mission-to-save-european-capitalism-from-itself.htm

‘Greek default approaching – what next?’, Fred Weston:

🔗 https://marxist.com/greek-default-approaching-what-next.htm

‘Greek crisis: the only way to break with austerity is to break with capitalism’, Jorge Martin:

🔗 https://marxist.com/greek-crisis-the-only-way-to-break-with-austerity-is-to-break-with-capitalism.htm