National Workers Front

National Workers Front Frente Nacional de Trabajadores Nationaal Arbeidersfront Abbreviation: FNT Leader: Hugo Artimese Chairperson: Carmen Trujillo Jimenez Leader in the Senate: Alvaro Ibañez Galvez Leader in the Parliament: Julius Hasselbaink Founders: Diego Sanchez and Carlos Torres Founded: 2 March 1956 Ideology: Marxism-Leninism, Socialism Political position: Left-wing Colors: Red

The National Workers Front (Spanish: Frente Nacional de Trabajadores, FNT) is a Marxist–Leninist political party in Aguada. Since its foundation, the FNT has been in government longer than any other political party in Aguada: from 1964 to 1976 under Diego Sanchez, 1984 to 1992 under Ernesto Valdes and Guillermo Fuentes, 1997 to 2002 under Angel Machodo and since 2006 under Juana Espinosa and Hugo Artimese.

The FNT was founded in 1956 by two trade unionists. The party grew rapidly after the major factory strikes in 1958. The party mostly focused on building Marxist-Leninist working-class organizations. Most supporters of other socialist parties like the SDP, ASP and the ACP have switched to the FNT in the 60s. From 1964 to 1976, the FNT led the government under Diego Sanchez. The government under Sanchez nationalized large industries and largely focused on workers' rights. From 1976 to 1984, the party lost most of its seats to the National Liberal Party, which was popular in Northern Aguada. In 1984, the party gained its seats back and became the main government party again. The North-South divide in Aguada created tensions in the 80s. While the non-industrial Northern Aguada endorsed conservative parties, the industrial Southern Aguada supported left-wing socialist parties. In the 90s, the National Workers Front lost its seats between 1992 and 1997. The party gained its seats back in the 2000s and the FNT has since been the largest party of Aguada.

The FNT combines labour movements, unions, environmental protection services together with Marxist-Leninist theory. The FNT is often seen as the main leftist party in Aguada. The party also has a smaller base that is more oriented towards revolutionary socialism and Trotskyism. According to leftist criticism of the party, coming mostly from anarchist movements like the CNT-FAA, the party is too closely affiliated with Stalinist and authoritarian thought.

History

Founding and early history

The National Workers’ Front was founded in March 1956, after trade union leaders Diego Sanchez and Carlos Torres established a Marxist–Leninist party after inspiration from several socialist revolutions around the world. The two union leaders aimed at organizing the working class in the peninsula.