Statement from the CC of the Workers Party Youth (Ireland) 26 April 2025
In Genoa on the morning of 24th April 1945, the National Liberation Committee (CLN) began their insurrection. Led by militants from the historic Communist Party of Italy and aided by thousands of Italian workers, the CLN began to capture public buildings. The occupying Nazi forces were quickly cut off from vital infrastructure and threatened to bomb the city as a result. Despite this, Partisan forces pushed on with the insurrection, successfully capturing a barracks and a radio station in the process. Street fighting continued throughout the course of the day and into the evening of the 25th. Finally, at 7:30 pm the commanding German General announced the unconditional surrender of German troops to Partisan forces.1
In Turin, massive strikes took place from the 18th April until the 26th, when factory workers and popular forces led the insurrection. Italian workers continued to occupy their factories as they battled Nazi forces until a counter-attack wiped out the remainder of German troops. In Milan, workers also fought to protect their factories while resisting fascist occupation. Working alongside the Partisan forces, Milan was liberated on 26 April. Finally, on the 27th April, Mussolini was captured by the 52nd Garibaldi Brigade as he attempted to flee Italy.2
Over the course of the 80 years which have passed since the liberation of Italy, there has been a concerted effort by the bourgeoisie of all countries to downplay the pivotal role which communists and the labour movement played in the fight against fascism.3 The role which the Soviet Union played in defeating Nazi Germany has been minimised, with the United States entering the war now seen by many as the turning point in the fight against fascism. This is despite the fact that most casualties in WW2 were Soviet Soldiers and Civilians.4
Giogia Meloni has called for a “low-key” celebration of the 80th anniversary.5 While other parties perpetuate a sanitised memory of the anti-fascist resistance, one which equates ‘anti-fascism’ with a more human, friendly capitalism and the European Union. The memory of the partisans and of anti-fascism are being twisted and molded by Italian capitalists to serve their interests and deceive the people while other parts are erased altogether. This is at a time when the bourgeoisie of Europe are supporting the calls for European rearmament, increased defense spending and the transition to a war economy.
We support the slogan of “Partisans for Peace” being taken up by the workers and communists of Italy in their struggle against the imperialist plans of the Italian bourgeoisie.6 Competition between the various monopoly groups are becoming more and more apparent. The decisive shift towards preparation for war has been made by the United State, China and the capitalists of the European Union. The wars in Ukraine and in the Middle-East have shown that the peaceful re-negotiation between capitalists has reached its limit. War is a necessary tool for the capitalist to secure access to trade routes, markets, natural resources and spheres of influence. We struggle for a way out of the capitalist system, the very system which utilises fascism to ensure its own existence. We struggle for workers’ power, peace and socialism.
References:
- A History of Contemporary Italy. Penguin Book.
↩︎ - Ibid ↩︎
- The Successful 70 Year Campaign to Convince People the USA and not the USSR Beat Hitler https://www.les-crises.fr/the-successful-70-year-campaign-to-convince-people-the-usa-and-not-the-ussr-beat-hitler ↩︎
- Research Starters: Worldwide Deaths in World War 2
https://www.nationalww2museum.org/students-teachers/student-resources/research-starters/research-starters-worldwide-deaths-world-war
↩︎ - Liberation Day Tensions Flare as Italian Government calls for ‘Low Key’ Celebration
https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/liberation-day-tensions-flare-as-italian-government-calls-for-low-key-celebrations ↩︎ - Partisans for Peace – For an April 25 against war and rearmament on the 80th anniversary of the liberation https://www.frontecomunista.it/en/2025/04/09/partisans-for-peace-for-an-april-25th-against-war-and-rearmament-on-the-80th-anniversary-of-the-liberation/
↩︎