Europe
Was the Berlin Christmas market attacker an undercover agent?
By Dietmar Henning, 25 January 2017
A recent report by the Federal Criminal Office raises the question of whether Anis Amri worked as an intelligence agent.
German officials demand aggressive response to Trump’s inaugural address
By Johannes Stern, 24 January 2017
German politicians, business leaders and the media are increasingly realizing that the new US president regards Europe, and above all Germany, as economic and political rivals.
UK government crisis erupts over Trident nuclear missile failure
By Paul Mitchell, 24 January 2017
The Conservative government imposed a news blackout after a missile was fired from a newly refurbished nuclear submarine from its position off the Florida coast.
Divisions in UK ruling elite widen over post-Brexit orientation to Trump
By Chris Marsden, 23 January 2017
UK Prime Minister Theresa May has made Trump’s election the cornerstone of her post-Brexit strategy, adapting to a yet-more open embrace of Trump by the anti-EU right-wing of her party.
French prime minister beaten into second place in Socialist Party presidential primary
By Alex Lantier, 23 January 2017
French President François Hollande’s government suffered another humiliating setback last night in the presidential primary of his Socialist Party.
Socialist Party officials back banker Macron in French presidential elections
By Alice Laurençon, 23 January 2017
Forty-six PS officials in the Lyon region signed a manifesto on January 17 calling for a boycott of the presidential primaries of their own party.
Verdi union strangles bus drivers’ strike in Hesse, Germany
By Marianne Arens, 23 January 2017
With the two-week strike by bus drivers gaining popular support, the public service sector union Verdi agreed to arbitration and to enforce “industrial peace.”
Berlin: Humboldt University IYSSE holds final election campaign meeting
For a socialist movement against war and militarism!
By our correspondents, 20 January 2017
The final meeting of the IYSSE took place at Berlin’s Humboldt University on Monday as part of the campaign for the elections to the student parliament.
German Constitutional Court rejects ban on fascist NPD
By Peter Schwarz, 19 January 2017
The court justified its decision by arguing that while the party was anti-constitutional and shared an ideological kinship with Nazism, it was not significant enough to seriously jeopardize democracy.
UK Prime Minister Theresa May pledges hard Brexit, threatens trade war
By Chris Marsden, 18 January 2017
May’s aggressive posture is bound up with efforts to forge an economic and political alliance with the incoming administration of Donald Trump in the United States.
In interview with British and German press
Trump places question mark over EU, NATO and free trade
By Peter Schwarz, 17 January 2017
Leading German politicians have responded to Trump’s remarks by asserting Germany’s own economic and geopolitical claims.
Pro-Corbyn Momentum group seeks affiliation to Labour Party
By Richard Tyler, 17 January 2017
Any pretence Momentum maintained that it was a radical rank-and-file group, nominally independent of the Labour Party, has been destroyed.
Amid anti-Russia media campaign
First permanent deployment of US troops on Russian border since Cold War
By Andre Damon, 16 January 2017
Some 4,000 US troops, together with tanks, artillery and armored vehicles, arrived in Poland over the weekend, further escalating tensions with Russia ahead of the inauguration of Trump.
Millions face dire consequences of rundown of Britain’s National Health Service
By Robert Stevens, 16 January 2017
More than 20 hospitals have raised alerts that they can no longer provide basic services to the public, as the British Red Cross said the NHS faces a “humanitarian crisis.”
Jeremy Corbyn: The abortive rebranding of a “left muddlehead”
By Paul Mitchell, 12 January 2017
Corbyn’s speech was a signal that he is prepared to make the political shifts demanded of him by the party’s right wing, including the adoption of an anti-immigration agenda.
Brexit deepens existential crisis of UK and European Union
By Chris Marsden, 10 January 2017
The row over what relationship the UK will have with the European Union takes place under conditions where its very survival is threatened.
Devastating HIV epidemic hits Russia
By Clara Weiss, 10 January 2017
A quarter century after the dissolution of the USSR in December 1991, an HIV epidemic, closely bound up with massive heroin consumption, is raging in Russia.
UK rail union TSSA and pro-Corbyn Momentum stoke up anti-European sentiment
By Paul Mitchell, 10 January 2017
A video posted by the pro-Corbyn Momentum organization seeks to portray the population of Europe as benefitting from the privatization if the UK’s rail network.
Wakefield school cleaning workers sacked after three-month strike in UK
By Barry Mason, 6 January 2017
Unison, with over 1.2 million members and an annual income of more than £200 million, has proved unwilling and incapable of defending the jobs of three embattled cleaners.
UK: Jeremy Corbyn re-launched as populist leader
By Robert Stevens, 4 January 2017
Corbyn’s New Year message confirms his role as frontman for a party dedicated to waging war on the working class and against opponents of British imperialism throughout the world.
Spanish media promote Anticapitalistas’ and Podemos’ “back to the streets” campaign
By Alejandro López, 4 January 2017
The aim of the campaign is to trap escalating social anger behind Podemos and block the emergence of a politically independent struggle of the working class for socialism.
“New Year’s Eve in Cologne”: The scapegoating of Muslims and refugees deepens
By Lena Sokoll, 3 January 2017
In Cologne as well as in other cities in Germany, police have now been supplied with sub-machine guns to conduct armed patrolling of cities.
UK: Appalling warehouse working conditions exposed at JD Sports
By Joe Mount, 3 January 2017
A succession of governments have created the conditions for the legal, uninhibited exploitation of workers, removing restrictions on business and cutting spending on welfare benefits.
1,000 former GM Opel workers facing joblessness in Germany
By Dietmar Henning, 3 January 2017
Instead of the new jobs promised by the IG Metall union, Opel workers face precarious employment, temporary work and welfare.
More than 5,000 refugees drowned in the Mediterranean in 2016
By Martin Kreickenbaum, 31 December 2016
The dramatic rise was a direct result of the European Union’s brutal deterrence policy—in particular the reinforcement of the EU’s external borders.
The Berlin terror attack: Is a section of the state trying to destabilize the German government?
By Johannes Stern, 29 December 2016
In light of the facts that have emerged and the manner in which the attack is being used, as well as German history, it would be politically naive to rule out the involvement of sections of the state.
German intelligence agent drove alleged perpetrator in Christmas market attack to Berlin
By Peter Schwarz, 28 December 2016
One week after the attack, there is a chorus of demands for the elimination of basic democratic rights and the erection of new barriers to refugees.
Police break up opposition-led blockade of Polish parliament
By Clara Weiss, 19 December 2016
With this latest stand-off, the constitutional crisis in Poland that began over a year ago following PiS’ accession to government has reached a turning point.
European powers criticize Trump’s threats against China
By Alex Lantier, 17 December 2016
A month before Donald Trump’s inauguration as US president, tensions are already emerging with the European powers over his “America first” program.
Huge increase in hospital admissions for malnutrition in Britain
By Jean Gibney, 17 December 2016
Three million people are at risk of malnutrition, with 7,366 of these admitted to hospital with the condition between August 2014 and July 2015.
Significant rise in UK homelessness
By Joe Mount, 16 December 2016
London, with a population of 8.6 million, is worst affected with 2 percent of people facing housing insecurity.
Opposition mounts to German military advertising campaign
By Stefan Steele, 15 December 2016
Germans now confront advertising placards all across the country praising the army (Bundeswehr) and calling on people to do their “duty.”
Unions back pension attacks at Tata Steel UK
By Danny Richardson, 15 December 2016
Tata and the unions are working to abolish the British Steel Pension Scheme that Tata had been seeking to eliminate ever since it bought its UK steel plants in 2007.
New French Prime Minister Cazeneuve prolongs state of emergency
By Alex Lantier, 15 December 2016
Basic democratic rights will continue to be suspended in France until July 2017, after next year’s presidential elections in May 2017.
New accusations of Russian state-sponsored doping
By Andrea Peters, 13 December 2016
Authorities have responded to new allegations of doping to demand the indefinite exclusion of Russian athletes from international sports competitions.
Paolo Gentiloni named as new Italian prime minister
By Marianne Arens, 13 December 2016
At the head of a transitional government, Gentiloni will continue the policies of his predecessor Matteo Renzi, particularly in dealing with the massive banking and debt crisis.
Julian Assange statement exposes bogus rape allegation
By Steve James, 13 December 2016
Assange not only exposes the bogus rape allegations made against him, but presents a devastating review of the US-led campaign to ensure his arrest pending deportation.
Nearly 4 million children living in poverty in the UK
By Barry Mason, 13 December 2016
In the constituency of Birmingham Ladywood, in the UK’s second largest city, the child poverty rate is 47.3 percent.
Supreme Court Brexit hearing begins amid growing divisions in UK ruling circles
By Robert Stevens, 6 December 2016
The case stems from the major constitutional and political crisis sparked by the narrow June 23 referendum vote to exit the EU.
Italian Prime Minister Renzi resigns after defeat in constitutional referendum
By Alex Lantier and Mark Wells, 5 December 2016
The vote on Renzi’s referendum, which was rejected by a margin of 59 to 41 percent, expresses growing opposition to the institutions of European and world capitalism.
Germany: Successful IYSSE meeting on Trump’s election held in Frankfurt
By our correspondents, 5 December 2016
What are the causes and consequences of Trump’s election? This question was at the centre of the well-attended IYSSE meeting in Frankfurt.
Jörg Baberowski’s falsification of history
By Christoph Vandreier, 5 December 2016
Historians like Humboldt University's Jörg Baberowski are labouring to rewrite and falsify history in order to justify new wars and discredit opposition to them.
European Union Commission plans multi-billion weapons fund
By Christoph Vandreier, 2 December 2016
In the wake of Donald Trump’s election as US president, the European powers are pushing ahead rapidly with plans for military rearmament.
France: Fillon wins presidential primary of right-wing parties
By Alex Lantier, 28 November 2016
Fillon’s victory as the candidate of The Republicans signifies a sharp shift to the right toward intensified austerity, nationalism and militarism.
EU fears ‘no’ vote in Italian referendum
By Marianne Arens, 28 November 2016
The constitutional reform, a step toward authoritarian rule, is the key element of the program of Prime Minister Renzi.
Tony Blair heads new pro-European Union movement
By Chris Marsden, 26 November 2016
Support for a second referendum on the UK’s European Union membership has only minority support in Parliament but cuts across existing party divisions.
Incoming Berlin senate plans more deportations
By Carola Kleinert, 26 November 2016
The Left Party, the Greens and Social Democrats want to organize mass deportations more efficiently through their preferred method of “voluntary” repatriation.
German establishment criticizes Trump’s protectionist economic policy
By Peter Schwarz, 25 November 2016
The German establishment is alarmed that Donald Trump’s “America first” policy could plunge the world economy into the kind of trade war witnessed in the 1930s.
French right’s presidential primary highlights shift far to the right
By Alex Lantier and Alice Laurençon, 25 November 2016
François Fillon and Alain Juppé, who will run Sunday in the second round of the French right’s presidential primary, held one last debate on Thursday night.
Incoming Berlin senate plans more deportations under a new guise
By Carola Kleinert, 25 November 2016
The Left Party, the Greens and Social Democrats want to organize mass deportations more efficiently through their preferred method of “voluntary” repatriation.
France’s Jean-Pierre Chevènement hails US President-elect Trump
By Kumaran Ira, 22 November 2016
The former leader of the Republican and Citizen Movement is trying to assemble a political coalition, including the neo-fascist National Front, to pursue nationalist policies.
UK: Labour’s Corbyn competes with Prime Minister May for alliance with big business
By Chris Marsden, 22 November 2016
Corbyn is presenting Labour as the best means to secure the interests of big business in a post-Brexit Britain, as against a divided Tory government.
British parliament passes “Snoopers’ Charter,” expanding spying powers
By Trevor Johnson, 22 November 2016
The new laws are an unprecedented attack on democratic rights, giving the state the power to gather information on millions, and to process, profile and store the results.
German Left Party backs European army
By Verena Nees, 22 November 2016
The Left Party has responded to Donald Trump’s election victory by shifting further to the right on domestic and foreign policy.
German city builds four-metre-high wall in front of refugee shelter
By Anna Rombach, 22 November 2016
Criticism of the wall has been directed not only against the Munich politicians responsible, but also the reactionary policies of the grand coalition government in Berlin.
Fillon, Juppé win first round of French right’s presidential primary
By Alice Laurençon, 21 November 2016
The media presented the Les Républicains primary as determining the candidate who will most likely run against Marine Le Pen of the neo-fascist National Front in the second round of the presidential elections next year.
Guardian columnist Will Hutton rants against the Brexit “mob”
By Paul Mitchell, 21 November 2016
Hutton’s defence of a political and economic system that is committed to austerity only legitimises UKIP’s demagogic posturing as the voice of the “people” against “the elites.”
Berlin IYSSE meeting on Trump election provokes intense discussion
By our correspondents, 21 November 2016
The large attendance and lively discussion at the meeting indicate that a new generation of young workers and students is being radicalized.
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)!
By , 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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