Europe
Volkswagen plans 30,000 job cuts
By Dietmar Henning, 19 November 2016
VW and its works council agreed to the destruction of more than one in seven of the company’s current 200,000 staff worldwide as part of the so-called Pact for the Future.
Over 300 refugees drown in Mediterranean
By Martin Kreickenbaum, 19 November 2016
Turning refugees away from Europe’s coasts and leaving them to drown in the Mediterranean is a crime that exposes the EU’s true brutality.
Trial of fascist accused of murdering UK Labour MP Jo Cox begins
By Richard Tyler, 19 November 2016
Cox was shot and stabbed multiple times in broad daylight on the way to her MPs surgery.
Uber UK verdict highlights super-exploitation through “self-employment”
By Thomas Scripps, 19 November 2016
Since its founding seven years ago, Uber has extended its reach to 66 countries and 507 cities worldwide, with over 1 million drivers.
Trump’s election as seen from Europe
By Alex Lantier, 19 November 2016
Well before the content of Trump’s foreign policy has come into focus, it is clear that his election marks a historic shift in world affairs, raising the specter of global conflict.
UK government accelerates privatisation of National Health Service
By Ajanta Silva, 17 November 2016
Since the Health and Social Care Act was introduced in 2013, private firms have won National Health Service clinical contracts worth £5.5 billion.
Greek protests greet Obama’s last overseas tour as US president
By Alex Lantier, 16 November 2016
Obama aimed to reassure the European ruling classes that Donald Trump's election would not undermine their relations with the United States.
Leading SPD politician to become German president
By Peter Schwarz, 16 November 2016
Steinmeier, like no other German politician, embodies a policy of welfare cuts and militarism.
UK: May government pins its hopes on Trump presidency
By Robert Stevens, 16 November 2016
Placing its fortunes in the hands of a reviled and unstable figure such as Trump is a measure of the May government’s political desperation.
Oppose right-wing ideology at Humboldt University: An open letter to Professor Thomas Sandkühler
By the International Youth and Students for Social Equality, 16 November 2016
The IYSSE at Humboldt University in Berlin is protesting against the attempt to suppress legitimate criticism of the right-wing historian Jörg Baberowski.
Trump’s victory, Brexit and Paul Mason’s call for a new “progressive alliance”
By Chris Marsden, 16 November 2016
Mason and others within Britain’s pseudo-left and liberal commentariat seek to dress up a strategic reorientation of imperialist policy in a progressive cloak.
Polish bourgeoisie divided over US election
By Dorota Niemitz and Clara Weiss, 15 November 2016
Sharp divisions in the reaction to Donald Trump’s election victory exposed differences over foreign policy among Poland’s ruling elites.
Swedish authorities finally question Julian Assange after six years
By Robert Stevens, 15 November 2016
The Swedish authorities are blatantly flouting international law in their vindictive pursuit of Assange.
Build the Socialist Equality Party (France)!
15 November 2016
This statement was adopted as the historical and political basis for the founding of the Parti de l’égalité socialiste, the French section of the ICFI.
Fighting continues in eastern Ukraine
By Jason Melanovski, 15 November 2016
The recent period has seen a spike in hostilities in the breakaway Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
The International Committee of the Fourth International founds its French section
By our reporter, 15 November 2016
The International Committee of the Fourth International has recognized the Parti de l'égalité socialiste as its French section.
French prime minister calls for extension of state of emergency
By Alex Lantier, 14 November 2016
Coming just after Donald Trump’s election as US president, the announcement points to the accelerating collapse of democratic forms of rule on both sides of the Atlantic.
Hamburg student committee protests appearance by Professor Jörg Baberowski
By Johannes Stern, 14 November 2016
Growing numbers of students are no longer prepared to accept the transformation of their universities into centres of war propaganda and militarism.
Socialist Equality Party (UK) 2016 Congress resolutions
For a new socialist movement against militarism, austerity and war
By Socialist Equality Party (UK), 14 November 2016
Presented here is an edited version of the first resolution adopted by the Socialist Equality Party (UK) Third National Congress, held October 28-31 in Sheffield.
Berlin: Red-red-green coalition to strengthen police
By Sonja Bach, 12 November 2016
The prospective red-red-green coalition is justifying the strengthening of the police and state apparatus with phrases about “civil rights” and “promoting democracy.”
France’s New Anti-Capitalist Party covers up its support for Libya war
By Kumaran Ira, 10 November 2016
As the Libyan catastrophe produced by the 2011 NATO war exposes the NPA’s bankruptcy, it is trying to bury its own record of supporting imperialist war.
Bedford riot highlights appalling conditions in UK prisons
By John Newham and Robert Stevens, 9 November 2016
Conditions in prisons in England and Wales have deteriorated rapidly as a result of spending cuts, while inmate numbers—including those held awaiting trial—have surged.
German media calls for massive rearmament after US elections
By Johannes Stern, 9 November 2016
The German elites are using the US presidential election to promote the return of German militarism.
NATO announces largest troop deployments against Russia since Cold War
By Alex Lantier, 8 November 2016
On the eve of the US election, NATO officials announced plans to place hundreds of thousands of troops on alert for military action against Russia.
Divisions mount in UK military over US presidential race
By Robert Stevens, 8 November 2016
Among Britain’s ruling elite there is grave concern for the future of Europe over the outcome of an election being contested by the two most unpopular candidates in US history.
UK: Corbyn threatens to block Brexit and trigger general election
By Robert Stevens and Chris Marsden, 7 November 2016
In portraying the European Single Market as progressive, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is siding with finance capital and big business interests against the working class.
Hamburg court acquits defendants in Cologne New Years Eve frameup
By Dietmar Henning, 5 November 2016
Three defendants were kept in detainment for almost half a year, although the charges against them were based on the “provision of false facts.”
Europe reacts to US election with fear and apprehension
By Peter Schwarz, 5 November 2016
Europe is reacting to the American presidential election with a mixture of disgust, nervousness and fear.
Buyer reportedly found for German supermarket chain
By Dietmar Henning, 3 November 2016
An agreement has reportedly been reached to divide up the German supermarket chain Kaiser’s Tengelmann.
New York Times promotes war hysteria over Estonia
By Bill Van Auken, 2 November 2016
The Times piece amounts to war propaganda, echoing the hysterical claims of the Baltic states that a Russian invasion is imminent and glorifying the legacy of Nazism.
Germany: UFO union calls off strikes and begs for hearing with Lufthansa bosses
By Dietmar Henning, 2 November 2016
The Independent Flight Attendants Organisation has cancelled strikes planned for this week at Eurowings, declaring it is “speechless” at the company's tough stance.
Eurowings strike grounds domestic German flights
By Dietmar Henning, 31 October 2016
The conflict is a reaction to Lufthansa’s strategy of reducing the wages and working conditions of all of its employees to the level of its cut-price subsidiary airline Eurowings.
Hungary: Right-wing commemoration of 60th anniversary of workers’ uprising
By Markus Salzmann, 28 October 2016
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban commemorated the 60th anniversary of the Hungarian uprising with a nationalist tirade against immigrants.
Report finds that more than 40 percent of British housing is substandard
By Barry Mason, 27 October 2016
In London, nearly three quarters of residents classified their homes as failing to meet the Living Home Standard established by the housing charity Shelter.
Flight attendants union calls off strikes at Eurowings airline in Germany
By Dietmar Henning, 26 October 2016
The small sectoral union, Ufo, does not represent any alternative to the large service sector union Verdi which collaborates closely with Lufthansa and other companies.
French presidential election 2017
Right-wing candidates’ debate advocates austerity, police-state measures
By Kumaran Ira, 24 October 2016
The French political establishment is unanimous that anti-Muslim hatred and police-state forms of rule are to become permanent features of political life.
Police stage right-wing, law and order protest in France
By Francis Dubois, 22 October 2016
The Socialist Party government has cultivated the police as its main social base, and police are now aggressively advancing demands for more resources and powers.
Hungary: Last newspaper critical of government shut down
By Markus Salzmann, 21 October 2016
The suddenness and political background of the closure indicates that the paper was put under pressure from the highest government circles.
Red-Red-Green coalition in Berlin state prepares to continue austerity drive
By Verena Nees, 20 October 2016
A so-called Red-Red-Green coalition in Berlin will pursue budgetary consolidation and impose an austerity programme on the backs of the working population.
Syriza agrees to further austerity measures
By John Vassilopoulos, 18 October 2016
European Union commissioner Pierre Moscovici praised Syriza’s “tremendous work” in imposing all the attacks demanded against the working class.
National strike needed in Britain to defend striking Southern GTR conductors
By Michael Barnes, 18 October 2016
Conductors should reject the RMT’s proposal to accept new contracts.
German think tank warns of growing nuclear war danger
By Peter Schwarz, 15 October 2016
A recent study by a German think tank leads to the conclusion that the risk for the present generation of dying in a violent atomic death is alarmingly high.
Are German authorities covering up for the death of Jaber al-Bakr?
By Ulrich Rippert, 15 October 2016
The 22-year-old Syrian terrorist suspect was found dead in his cell on Wednesday evening.
Podemos prepares to become the official bourgeois opposition in Spain
By Alejandro López, 15 October 2016
As the social democrats openly back the formation of a right-wing government, Podemos is signalling that it is also prepared to implement drastic austerity.
German government expands military operations in the Middle East
By Johannes Stern, 14 October 2016
In future, German soldiers will monitor Syrian airspace on board NATO’s AWACS reconnaissance planes.
UK: Bernard Matthews pensioners fleeced by liquidators
By Jean Shaoul, 14 October 2016
Liquidators Rutland Partners have already pocketed £34 million, with another £5 million to come.
British pound plummets over “hard Brexit” fears
By Nick Beams, 8 October 2016
The currency’s sudden fall on Friday was a warning that capital inflows needed to finance the British current account deficit could dry up.
Poland: Tens of thousands protest proposed anti-abortion bill
By Clara Weiss, 5 October 2016
If passed, the bill would implement a ban on abortions, including for minors and victims of rape.
Syriza government assaults Greek retirees
By Katerina Selin, 5 October 2016
On Monday, the Greek government mobilised the police to attack protesting retirees.
Italy: Strikes and protests against the Renzi government’s “Jobs Act”
By Marianne Arens, 4 October 2016
Italy is experiencing a wave of strikes by rail workers, flight attendants and teachers that are also directed against the traditional unions.
Spanish Socialist Party coup exposes Podemos
By Paul Mitchell and Alex Lantier, 4 October 2016
Podemos’ perspective was to form a government with the Socialist Party, which is now working to bring a right-wing government to power in Spain.
UK Prime Minister announces timetable for UK exit from European Union
By Robert Stevens, 3 October 2016
According to plans put forward by Theresa May, Britain will be out of the European Union by March 2019—a year ahead of a scheduled 2020 General Election.
Spanish Socialist Party leader resigns to allow formation of right-wing government
By Alejandro López, 3 October 2016
The success of the inner-party putsch against Pedro Sánchez underscores how the ruling class uses parties like the Socialist Party (PSOE) to impose unpopular policies.
Police state preparations in Dresden for German Unity Day
By Marianne Arens and Ulrich Rippert, 3 October 2016
Some 2,600 police officers have been mobilised, including a special unit of the Saxony state police and the elite GSG 9 force.
Hungary’s anti-refugee referendum fails after low turnout
By Markus Salzmann, 3 October 2016
The refugee referendum marked the high point of a vicious anti-refugee campaign waged by the Hungarian government and the entire European Union.
The pseudo-left’s role in the defeat of the British junior doctors’ struggle
By Robert Stevens, 3 October 2016
The Socialist Workers Party sowed illusions in the trade unions and the Labour Party at every juncture in the junior doctors' struggle.
Italian Prime Minister Renzi announces constitutional referendum for December
By Marianne Arens, 1 October 2016
The referendum is a step towards authoritarian forms of rule and lays the basis for fierce attacks on Italian workers.
Crisis at Germany’s Deutsche Bank intensifies
By Ulrich Rippert, 30 September 2016
Following the plunge in Deutsche Bank’s share price to its lowest level since 1983, Germany’s second largest bank, Commerzbank, has announced a major restructuring.
Push to install right-wing Spanish government splits Socialist Party
By Alejandro López and Alex Lantier, 30 September 2016
On Wednesday, half of the Spanish Socialist Party’s Federal Executive resigned, launching an inner-party putsch aiming to force the installation of a right-wing government.
Irish unions call off Dublin bus strike
By Dermot Quinn, 30 September 2016
The unions are winding down the dispute and paving the way for the defeat of their members’ struggle.
Berlin police shoot Iraqi refugee
By Verena Nees, 30 September 2016
The young father of three was shot dead after reacting to the alleged sexual assault of his six-year-old daughter by another man.
The Verdi union’s despicable role in the breakup of Germany’s Kaiser’s Tengelmann retail group
By Marianne Arens, 30 September 2016
Roundtable talks, secret negotiations, time limit extensions—the unions are seeking to ensure nothing prevents the smooth sell-off of the retail chain.
Vienna refugee conference reaffirms Europe’s closed-border policy
By Martin Kreikenbaum, 29 September 2016
The conference has underscored the inhumane and reactionary content of German Chancellor's Merkel’s refugee policy.
British Medical Association sells out struggle of UK junior doctors
By Robert Stevens, 29 September 2016
The isolation and defeat of the doctors' struggle is the result of the collective efforts of the entire labour and trade union bureaucracy.
Pentagon chief outlines preparations for nuclear war with Russia
By Bill Van Auken, 28 September 2016
Defense Secretary Ashton Carter delivered a chilling speech in favor of nuclear escalation to US Air Force personnel in charge of launching strategic bomber and missile attacks.
UK Labour Party conference: Corbyn again prostrate before right wing
By Chris Marsden, 28 September 2016
British Labour leader Corbyn wants to preserve the unity of the Labour Party because he represents only a left-talking faction of the apparatus.
Polish Parliament approves ban on abortion
By Clara Weiss, 28 September 2016
The latest ban on abortions is deeply reactionary and represents an attack on the democratic and social rights of the working class.
German Left Party on a war footing for participation in federal government
By Johannes Stern, 27 September 2016
The Left Party has reacted to the recent Berlin state election with a sharp shift to the right.
Lesbos fire highlights tragic situation of refugees in Greece
By John Vassilopoulos, 27 September 2016
Around 60 percent of the camp was destroyed, including sleeping tents and clothing supplies.
Bosnian Serb referendum inflames tensions in the Balkans
By Paul Mitchell, 27 September 2016
The referendum went ahead despite the Bosnia and Herzegovina Constitutional Court ruling it illegal.
German supermarket chain to be broken up with thousands of jobs lost
By Marianne Arens, 22 September 2016
The trade unions and the SPD have given their seal of approval to the destruction of jobs, wages and workers’ rights in the store chain merger.
Sweden upholds Assange arrest warrant
By Paul Mitchell, 22 September 2016
The significance of the Swedish decision is underscored by the revelations from WikiLeaks, which have led US news outlets to declare they could determine who becomes the next American president.
After the Berlin state election
German government steps up anti-refugee agitation
By Johannes Stern, 21 September 2016
German Chancellor Angela Merkel used her party’s historic low in the Berlin state election to distance herself from the so-called “welcoming culture.”
Young Euro Classic: International music festival in shadow of European Union crisis
By Verena Nees, 19 September 2016
The summer music festival was held in Berlin for the seventeenth time and attracted an audience of 26,000 to the Berlin concert hall at the Gendarmenmarkt.
Divisions erupt at post-Brexit Bratislava summit as EU calls for military-police build-up
By Johannes Stern and Alex Lantier, 17 September 2016
Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi refused to attend a joint press conference after the summit and publicly attacked EU proposals on economic and refugee policy.
SEP candidate prevented from speaking at tenants’ meeting in Berlin
By Verena Nees, 17 September 2016
A candidate of the Partei für Soziale Gleichheit was barred from speaking because he intended to criticise the privatisation policy of the Left Party and the SPD.
Many UK museums face closure due to funding cuts
By Barry Mason, 16 September 2016
Museums are being forced to absorb a one-third cut in public funding and the pressure of falling visitor numbers due to the economic crisis.
European Commission President Juncker calls for state-build up and war
By Johannes Stern, 15 September 2016
Two days before Friday's post-Brexit summit in Bratislava, Jean-Claude Juncker warned that the EU faces “an existential crisis” and called for police-state build-up and war.
Berlin election: Pseudo-left supports right-wing election campaign of the Left Party
By Johannes Stern, 15 September 2016
The Revolutionary Internationalist Organisation and Socialist Alternative are backing a so-called red-red-green coalition, pledged to austerity and anti-immigrant policies.
Polish and British governments exploit attacks on Polish immigrants
By Clara Weiss, 15 September 2016
Attacks on Polish immigrants in the UK are being exploited by the Polish and British ruling class to strengthen their alliance, amid deepening divisions within the EU.
German weekly Die Zeit defends Al Qaeda
By Peter Schwarz, 13 September 2016
Die Zeit is angry that the Russian-American accord on Syria instructs the “moderate rebels” to distance themselves from Al Qaeda.
French unions join far-right movement against refugees in Calais
By Anthony Torres, 12 September 2016
The CGT is inciting nationalist hatred to divide the workers and disorient their opposition to the wars and social cuts of the French government, which it helped elect.
The reasons behind the failure to form a government in Spain
By Alejandro López, 10 September 2016
The failure to form a government is not based on deep political differences, as all the contending parties are committed to austerity, the EU and NATO.
Earthquake disaster aggravates social crisis in Italy
By Marianne Arens, 10 September 2016
Two weeks after the earthquake in central Italy on August 24, it is clear that the devastation and loss of life was not due to a “natural disaster” but corruption and government indifference.
Working conditions worsen in Germany
By Dietmar Henning, 10 September 2016
Working conditions in Germany have worsened significantly. Evening, night and weekend work as well as both paid and unpaid overtime are on the rise.
Appeal by Berlin Senate candidate Andy Niklaus: Workers need their own party!
By Andy Niklaus, 9 September 2016
Andy Niklaus has worked for the Berlin Transport Company for 25 years and is running as a candidate of the Partei für Soziale Gleichheit in the Berlin Senate elections on September 18.
British Medical Association calls off junior doctors strikes
By Robert Stevens, 8 September 2016
The junior doctors have been isolated by both the trade unions and by the Labour Party, with a key role played by party leader Jeremy Corbyn.
“Stand Up against Racism”: A right-wing alliance in support of an SPD/Left Party/Green coalition government
By Katerina Selin, 8 September 2016
A few thousand demonstrators gathered last Saturday at Adenauerplatz in Berlin to drum up support for a Social Democrat/LeftParty/Green coalition government.
State election in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
The right-wing threat in Germany and the need for a socialist party
By Ulrich Rippert—leading candidate of the PSG for the Berlin state election, 7 September 2016
It is anger against the establishment parties, including the Left Party, and the absence of a progressive alternative that boosts the far right Alternative for Germany (AfD).
Corbyn offers olive branch to right wing as purge of British Labour Party escalates
By Robert Stevens, 6 September 2016
By September 24, when Labour’s leader is elected, it is highly likely that well over 200,000 people will have been barred from voting for Jeremy Corbyn.
German Luftwaffe begin NATO patrols over the Baltic
By Johannes Stern, 5 September 2016
NATO’s growing operations in Eastern Europe heighten the danger of direct conflict with a nuclear-armed Russia.
Warmongers united: Germany’s Left Party welcomes former top army general
By Johannes Stern, 3 September 2016
On World Peace Day, the German Left Party invited the former Chief of Staff of the Bundeswehr and chairman of the NATO military committee to a meeting in Hannover.
UK: Further National Health Service hospital closures and cuts to be imposed
By Liz Smith, 3 September 2016
A recent House of Commons Select Committee report found the National Health Service to be in a state of near collapse and hinted that in the future patients might have to pay for services.
Irish government crisis over Apple’s €13 billion tax dodge
By Robert Stevens, 1 September 2016
The EU’s decision to fine Apple for failing to pay taxes has triggered a major crisis in Irish ruling circles.
Spain’s public debt reaches record levels
By Alejandro López, 31 August 2016
All the major parties—Popular Party, Socialist Party, Citizens and the pseudo-left Podemos—are committed to upholding the payment of the debt.
UK: Corbyn, Brexit and the so-called progressive alliance
By Julie Hyland, 31 August 2016
There are increasing efforts to link up the Labour Party, the Greens and the various nationalist blocs in Wales and Scotland on the basis of a pro-EU program.
PSG election campaign: Anger at the government’s new civil defence guidelines
By our correspondents, 31 August 2016
Berliners discuss the growing war danger and social conditions in the capital with supporters of the Socialist Equality Party.
German vice chancellor says talks on US-EU free trade agreement have failed
By Christoph Vandreier, 30 August 2016
The discussions on the agreement demonstrate that transatlantic conflicts are growing.
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