Despina Koutsoumba

Despina Koutsoumba is an archaeologist and representative of Antarsya, the Front of the Greek Anticapitalist Left. The Greek word ‘antarsia’ means ‘mutiny,’ and refers to the revolutionary socialist-green change the party is aiming to establish. Antarsya calls for exiting the European Union and dropping the euro currency, defaulting on Greece's debt, and nationalization without compensation of major industries. The party also calls for a banning of lay-offs, a minimum salary of equivalent to 1,400 euros, a reduction of weekly working time to 35 hours without reduction of wages, the disarmament of the police, full political and social rights for immigrants, and an ecosocialist answer to ecological crisis. Although electorally small, the party has strong social roots and plays a crucial role in mobilizing and organizing within a range of social movements. Koutsoumba is member of the Region of Attica Council of Antarsya, and actively campaigns against austerity politics and the economic capitalization of historical monuments.