DIN debate: This House believes that socialism in Europe is dead

After narrowly gaining enough seats in last week's general election to form a coalition government Greece's ruling coalition- made up of the centre right New Democracy party, the PASOK party and Democratic Left Alliance- announced a new economic austerity plan for the country on Friday. Following intense public pressure and more than a year of civil disorder, the Greek government is due to approach the EU with a plan to cut its national debt that includes increased support for Greek citizens hit hard by a collapse of investor confidence in the economy of the south European state.

Although heavy spending on public projects and labour laws favorable to unions and state workers did a lot to increase living standards in Greece over the last two decades, the financial collapse has put the Greek state under pressure to cut public services, increase tax rates and liberalise its economy, a conservative approach to economic recovery that many Greeks object to. New Democracy and its partners faced a significant challenge during the June election from Syriza, an alliance of a wide range of Greek socialist, ecosocialist and community political parties. The startling popular appeal of Syriza has sparked talk of a similar revival among Europe's other left wing parties, which moved quickly toward the political centre-ground in the last years of the twentieth century; left wing parties throughout the EU have been criticised for failing to provide compelling alternatives to the austerity policies that have been enforced by the EU's leadership and most influential member states.

IDEA will be looking into the state of Greece and the future of socialism in Europe in greater depth during a public debate that will be taking place on Wednesday 27 June. Hosted by City and Islington Sixth Form College, Young People Explore Europe's Future will showcase speeches by A-level students who have received debate training as part of IDEA's Debate in the Neighbourhood initiative. The debate will address the motion "This House believes that socialism in Europe is dead". The debate's panel will be made up of six City and Islington students, who will be joined by two veterans of socialist politics in the UK. The debate's audience will also have the opportunity to offer questions and floor speeches. Look out for video highlights of the event on ideabte.org from 28 June. For more information about Debate in the Neighbourhood, email acavell@idebate.org.uk or visit din.idebate.org

Feel free to discuss and give your opinion either on the topic of the debate, the situation in Greece, or the DIN event itself.

For more information on the topic read http://idebate.org/debatabase/debates/philosophical-political-theory/house-believes-socialism-dead