The Workers’ Party of Belgium (PTB) is one of the European left’s fastest-growing forces. Of Marxist-Leninist background, the renovated party has in recent years gained electoral momentum, as working people seek an alternative to endless austerity. Its first MP, Raoul Hedebouw has become a household name since entering parliament in 2014, and in last October’s municipal contests it scored 12 percent in Brussels.

Polling strongly ahead of May 26’s European, federal and regional elections, the PTB can expect not only to achieve representation in the European Parliament, but also to elect a team of strong candidates to Belgium’s own Chamber of Representatives.

Marc Botenga is the PTB’s lead candidate for the European elections. He spoke to Mediapart’s Aurore van Opstal about Europe’s crisis, the rise of the far right, and how the Left can stop Le Pen and Salvini posing as the only force for change.