Germany
German police warn refugees not to attend carnival in Cologne
By Dietmar Henning, 21 February 2017
A letter from a police department in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) says that “from a police point of view” refugees are undesired at this week’s carnival celebrations.
US-European tensions remain despite reassurances on NATO
By Bill Van Auken, 20 February 2017
Speeches in Munich swearing US fealty to NATO and taking a hard line on Russia failed to quell fears that Trump’s “America First” policy will be pursued at Europe’s expense.
Student representative body denounces right-wing positions of professors at Berlin’s Humboldt University
By our correspondents, 20 February 2017
The Assembly of Student Representative Councils at Humboldt University has taken a stand against militarism and anti-immigrant chauvinism, and in support of freedom of opinion.
German defence minister announces massive increase in military budget
By Johannes Stern, 18 February 2017
What was once unthinkable is now official policy. The German government is determined to double the military budget, which currently stands at approximately €37 billion.
Lufthansa-union agreement on arbitration ruling: an attack on pilots in Germany
By Dietmar Henning, 18 February 2017
Lufthansa and the pilots union have accepted an arbitration ruling on compensation for 5,400 pilots, and the airline linked the agreement with a new declaration of war on workers.
Munich Security Conference chairman advocates European rearmament
By Peter Schwarz, 16 February 2017
Wolfgang Ischinger, the Chairman of the Munich Security Conference, proposed defending the “Western order of values” by means of a massive increase in military spending.
IYSSE meeting defends Bremen University Student Union against attacks by Jörg Baberowski
By our correspondents, 16 February 2017
The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) organised a meeting at Berlin’s Humboldt University to defend the freedom of expression of the Bremen Asta (Student Union).
German Chancellor Merkel promotes harsher deportation policies
By Martin Kreickenbaum, 15 February 2017
Last Thursday, the chancellor met with the minister presidents of Germany’s states to implement a new plan for deporting refugees.
Social Democrat Steinmeier is elected president of Germany
By Johannes Stern, 14 February 2017
The presidency is being transformed once again into a centre of political power to further the return of German militarism.
Right-wing German professor Jörg Baberowski threatens students who criticize him
By our correspondents, 13 February 2017
The professor of history at Humboldt University is responding to mounting opposition to his right-wing political positions by launching scurrilous attacks on his critics and inciting students against them.
Berlin students defend University of Bremen student parliament against right-wing Professor Jörg Baberowski
By our correspondents, 11 February 2017
Representatives of the student bodies at two leading universities in Germany have issued statements denouncing the attempt by Baberowski to use the courts to muzzle students at the University of Bremen.
Germany and Poland seek rapprochement
By Clara Weiss, 10 February 2017
German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visit to Warsaw saw efforts on both sides to improve bilateral relations after they had deteriorated sharply under the Polish PiS government.
Germany deploys troops to Lithuania in NATO build-up against Russia
By Johannes Stern, 8 February 2017
The German-led battle group is the first German battalion in Eastern Europe since the Wehrmacht’s war of annihilation against the Soviet Union during the Second World War.
German newsweekly Der Spiegel calls for “resistance” to Trump
By Johannes Stern, 7 February 2017
The demands of German politicians, business leaders and the media for Berlin to oppose the US are becoming more aggressive.
Police carry out mass anti-Muslim raids in Hesse, Germany
By Marianne Arens, 7 February 2017
In a major police raid, 1,100 officers searched more than 50 locations in the Rhein-Main region.
Jörg Baberowski sues the student body of the University of Bremen
By International Youth and Students for Social Equality, 7 February 2017
The right-wing professor of Eastern European history at Berlin’s Humboldt University is attempting to muzzle critics of his reactionary positions.
Germany: Growing support for defense of Bremen University students against right-wing professor Jörg Baberowski
By our correspondents, 6 February 2017
On February 2, about 100 students at the University of Bremen attended a meeting in support of the General Student Committee, which is the target of legal action by Baberowski.
EU summit marks escalation of conflict between Europe and US
By Johannes Stern, 4 February 2017
At the EU summit in Malta, several European heads of state, including the German chancellor and the French president, sharply criticized the policies of the Trump administration.
German Chancellor Merkel meets Erdogan ahead of EU summit in Malta
By Johannes Stern, 4 February 2017
The meeting took place under conditions of an extremely tense foreign policy climate in the wake of the inauguration of US President Donald Trump.
German Green Party leader demands Europe “grow up in terms of power politics”
By Peter Schwarz, 3 February 2017
Responding to the nationalist policy of US President Donald Trump, the former Green foreign minister, Joschka Fischer has called for a massive rearmament of Germany and Europe.
Successful IYSSE meeting on Trump at Ruhr University in Bochum
By our reporters, 3 February 2017
The meeting “Where is America going? The Trump election and the global struggle against militarism and war” was an important step in the building of the IYSSE in Germany.
Trump’s nationalist threats and the response of the European ruling class
By Alex Lantier, 2 February 2017
In response to Trump’s protectionist threats against Europe and criticisms of the euro, Germany and its closest allies are preparing a major military and police buildup.
Speech by far-right Milo Yiannopoulos canceled at UC Berkeley amid protests
By our reporters, 2 February 2017
As thousands protested the editor of Breitbart News, a small section of anarchists played into the police’s hands by physically assaulting some Trump supporters.
Left Party leader campaigns for SPD-Left-Green coalition in Germany
By Ulrich Rippert, 2 February 2017
While millions of people are alarmed by the reactionary policies of the new American government, the Left Party is seeking to transform growing opposition into support for a new round of German great power politics.
German Social Democrats prepare for conflict with the US
By Peter Schwarz, 1 February 2017
The ruling circles in Germany consider the nationalist policy of the new US president not only a danger, but also an opportunity to realize their own great power ambitions.
Germany, France criticize Trump’s immigration ban
By Alex Lantier, 31 January 2017
Official criticisms of Trump aim to shield the European Union from rising anger at the persecution of migrants, and assert European imperialist interests against Washington.
SPD leader Gabriel succeeds Steinmeier as German foreign minister
By Johannes Stern, 31 January 2017
Sigmar Gabriel will pursue the turn to an aggressive foreign policy even more energetically than his predecessor.
Germany carries out second expulsion of Afghan refugees
By Anna Rombach, 30 January 2017
Twenty-six Afghan refugees were deported last Monday from Rhein-Main airport to Kabul in a joint operation by federal and state governments.
Germany steps up military intervention in Mali
By Johannes Stern, 28 January 2017
The upper limit for the number of German soldiers deployed as part the UN mission in Mali, known as MINUSMA, is to be increased by 350 to more than 1,000.
Germany: What does arbitration mean for the Hesse bus drivers strike?
By Marianne Arens, 28 January 2017
The bus drivers in Hesse carried out their strike with great determination because they viewed it as a principled struggle against intolerable living conditions.
European neo-fascists gather in Koblenz, Germany to hail Trump inauguration
By Alex Lantier, 27 January 2017
The neo-fascists applauded Trump’s inauguration for creating a new political order in which they would turn farther to the right and play a more prominent role.
The significance of the IYSSE’s electoral success at Berlin’s Humboldt University
By the International Youth and Students for Social Equality, 27 January 2017
At the student parliament elections, the IYSSE received more votes than the student groups of the Christian Democratic Union, the Greens and the Left Party.
Sigmar Gabriel resigns as Social Democratic Party leader and chancellor candidate
By Ulrich Rippert, 26 January 2017
The SPD is reorganising in order to take up the role of reshaping Europe in the interests of German imperialism.
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 police spread false information about events in Cologne on New Year’s Eve
By Elisabeth Zimmermann, 25 January 2017
The allegation by the police that some 2,000 men of North African origin had banded together in Cologne on New Year’s Eve 2016 turns out to be a outright lie.
Seventy-five years since the Wannsee Conference
By Clara Weiss, 25 January 2017
Last Friday, January 20, marked the 75th anniversary of the notorious Wannsee Conference, in which 15 influential representatives of the Nazi regime discussed the so-called “final solution of the Jewish question.”
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.
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.”
Support the striking bus drivers in Hesse, Germany!
By the Socialist Equality Party (Germany), 21 January 2017
The strike by Hesse bus drivers is significant because millions of workers in Germany, Europe and throughout the world suffer under similar conditions.
Striking bus drivers in Hesse, Germany: “The latest company offer is a joke”
By Marianne Arens, 20 January 2017
Verdi is conducting the most limited possible action, mobilizing only bus drivers immediately affected while refusing to extend it to other sections of workers.
IYSSE wins 7 percent of vote in Humboldt University student parliament election
By our correspondents, 20 January 2017
The IYSSE, the student and youth organization of the Socialist Equality Party (PSG), received 192 votes, up from the 147 votes it received last year.
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.
Germany: Bus drivers in Hesse continue their strike
By Marianne Arens, 18 January 2017
In the last few weeks and months, workers in bus and transport companies and the public sector have commenced major strikes in France, Italy and the US.
Germany’s Left Party presents right-wing draft programme for federal election
By Johannes Stern, 18 January 2017
At the heart of the programme is the Left Party’s desire to assume government responsibility at the federal level in coalition with the SPD and Greens, two parties of austerity and war.
Hitler’s Professors: A documentation of war crimes by German academics against the Jewish people
By Clara Weiss, 16 January 2017
Max Weinreich’s classic study, Hitler’s Professors, first published in 1946, documents the role of leading German academics in the murder of Europe’s Jewish population.
Die Zeit journalists lose lawsuit against German satirical television show
By Peter Schwarz, 14 January 2017
Germany’s Federal Supreme Court overturned a lower court decision banning television channel ZDF from focusing on the ties of Zeit journalists to the security establishment.
More restrictive laws target refugees after Berlin attack
By Martin Kreickenbaum, 14 January 2017
Less than three weeks after the terrorist attack on a Christmas market in Berlin, the German justice minister and interior minister have agreed on a number of more restrictive laws targeting refugees and migrants.
Growing nervousness in Europe over Trump
By Peter Schwarz, 13 January 2017
Initial hopes that Trump would moderate himself after the election campaign and pursue a course compatible with traditional Republican politics have not been realised.
Demonstration in Germany against deportations to Afghanistan
By Marianne Arens, 12 January 2017
All of the established parties, including the Left Party, support the inhumane German government policy of deporting refugees to war zones.
German Left Party leader blames Merkel’s refugee policy for attack in Berlin
By Johannes Stern, 11 January 2017
Left Party leader Sarah Wagenknecht is positioning herself at the head of a right-wing campaign against Chancellor Angela Merkel’s refugee policy, and arguing for more police powers.
Germany: The Greens’ Joschka Fischer calls for national rearmament
By Peter Schwarz, 10 January 2017
Under the headline, “Squeezed between Presidents Putin and Trump, the EU cannot remain a ‘soft power,’” the former Green Party foreign minister advocates a “security option based on the nation state.”
German Interior Minister De Maiziere calls for police state powers
By Ulrich Rippert, 9 January 2017
The “Guidelines for a strong state in difficult times,” published by the interior minister in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, breaks with the fundamental principles of the constitution.
German government plans propaganda agency in response to “fake news”
By Marianne Arens and Peter Schwarz, 9 January 2017
The campaign against “fake news” on the Internet is being used as a pretext for state censorship and the establishment of a propaganda agency.
Berlin Christmas market attack: German intelligence aware of perpetrator’s 14 identities
By Johannes Stern, 7 January 2017
It is becoming clear that the suspect in the terrorist attack, Anis Amri, carried out his operation under the noses of the intelligence agencies.
Berlin university meeting discusses election of Trump and the return of German militarism
By our correspondents, 7 January 2017
The meeting is the second organized by the IYSSE group as part of its campaign for this year's elections to the Humboldt University student parliament.
WikiLeaks data reveals close cooperation between German intelligence and NSA
By Sven Heymanns, 6 January 2017
Some of the emails published by Wikileaks show the panicked reaction of the spy agencies to the revelations made by Edward Snowden in 2013.
German interior minister demands centralisation of intelligence agencies
By Ulrich Rippert, 6 January 2017
De Maiziere’s proposals for strengthening the security apparatus calls into question the entire structure of the Federal Republic.
New Year’s Eve in Cologne, Germany: Racist agitation and state repression
By Dietmar Henning, 5 January 2017
The huge police deployment in Cologne on New Year’s Eve was accompanied by calls for the strengthening of the state apparatus.
Germany in 2016: Mass deportations and brutality toward refugees
By Stefan Steele, 5 January 2017
The ruthlessness and cruelty of German authorities against refugees is assuming alarming proportions. Last year alone, 25,000 were deported.
“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.
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.
Berlin terror attack suspect was well known to German intelligence agencies
By Johannes Stern, 30 December 2016
The activities of Anis Amri, who allegedly drove a truck into a market in Berlin on December 19, were being actively monitored by local police and intelligence forces.
Berlin’s “red-red-green” state government sets up refugee ghettos made from shipping containers
By Franci Vier, 30 December 2016
The move makes clear that the coalition will continue the right-wing refugee policies of its Social Democrat-Christian Democrat predecessor.
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.
More layoffs at Bombardier in Germany
By Dietmar Henning, 28 December 2016
Social Democratic leader Sigmar Gabriel is trying to prevent a strike and class struggles developing in 2017, when federal elections will take place.
Growing signs of state foreknowledge of attack on Berlin Christmas market
By Christoph Vandreier, 24 December 2016
Monday’s attack, which killed 12 people and injured 50, is being exploited to denounce the refugee policy of Chancellor Angela Merkel and shift German politics even further to the right.
Berlin terror suspect was well known to security forces
By Johannes Stern, 23 December 2016
Nobody asks the obvious question: Are there forces in political circles and the security apparatus who knew about the planned attack and were prepared to allow it in order to advance their extreme right-wing agenda?
Right-wing, anti-immigrant offensive escalates in aftermath of Berlin terror attack
By Peter Schwarz, 22 December 2016
The lack of clarity about the facts has not stopped politicians and the media from using the Berlin attack to launch a concerted campaign against refugees and demand a massive buildup of the state apparatus.
Germany: SPD leader calls for cuts to child benefits for European citizens
By Dietmar Henning, 22 December 2016
As poverty levels grow in Germany the Social Democratic Party is fostering xenophobia.
Initial suspect freed in Berlin terror attack
By Ulrich Rippert, 21 December 2016
The criminal act will be used to further the internal rearmament and strengthening of the German intelligence services and security apparatus.
Twelve killed, dozens injured as truck crashes into Berlin Christmas market
By our reporter, 20 December 2016
Police initially spoke of a terrorist attack, but later declared that the circumstances were unclear and asked people “not to spread rumors.”
Germany’s low-wage sector is expanding
By Elisabeth Zimmermann, 20 December 2016
More than one in five Germans work for a wage of less than €10 per hour.
Berlin’s Humboldt University plans massive job cuts
By Katerina Selin, 19 December 2016
The latest developments at Humboldt University are linked to the drastic austerity policy of the Berlin Senate regarding higher education.
European Union and IMF demand new austerity measures in Greece
By Christoph Vandreier, 17 December 2016
At a joint press conference in Berlin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras made a show of unity in advance of new attacks on the working class.
Massive protests in Germany against deportations to Afghanistan
By Marianne Arens and Martin Kreickenbaum, 16 December 2016
Protesters at the Frankfurt airport carried stop signs and chanted slogans such as “Deportation is torture, deportation is murder. A right to stay for all, immediately!”
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.”
David North speaks in Berlin on Donald Trump’s election
By our correspondents, 15 December 2016
More than 250 students and workers crowded into a lecture hall at Humboldt University to hear North’s lecture on the causes and consequences of the outcome of the US presidential election.
Red-Red-Green coalition heads Berlin state government: Austerity repackaged
By Verena Nees, 12 December 2016
The SPD, which many workers and young people rejected in the September state elections because of its anti-social policies, once again heads the Berlin state executive.
German defence minister on the offensive in the Middle East
By Johannes Stern, 10 December 2016
The central goal of Ursula von der Leyen’s trip to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Jordan is the expansion of German imperialist influence in the geo-strategically important region.
German Left Party announces federal election candidates
By Johannes Stern, 9 December 2016
The Left Party will take part in the federal elections in 2017 with its two parliamentary faction leaders, Sahra Wagenknecht and Dietmar Bartsch, as leading candidates.
German chancellor demands stricter asylum laws and ban on burqa
By Ulrich Rippert, 8 December 2016
At the CDU party congress in Essen, Chancellor Merkel delivered a right-wing speech full of xenophobic attacks and calls for the strengthening of the police and military.
German government plans mass deportation of refugees
By Martin Kreickenbaum, 7 December 2016
The German government is significantly expanding its deportation efforts and intends to construct what in practice will be a mass deportation apparatus.
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.
Germany: New recruiting drive by the Bundeswehr
By Johannes Stern, 5 December 2016
Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen wants to increase the size of the armed forces and recruit thousands of new soldiers in the coming years.
Striking Lufthansa pilots demonstrate in Frankfurt
By Marianne Arens, 2 December 2016
Hundreds of striking Lufthansa pilots gathered at Rhein-Main Airport in Frankfurt on day seven of the latest pilots’ strike.
Germany: Striking pilots need a socialist perspective
By Ulrich Rippert, 1 December 2016
The strike by 5,400 Lufthansa pilots deserves the support of all workers.
Right-wing German daily and Christian Democratic politicians call for nuclear weapons
By Johannes Stern, 30 November 2016
Following the decision by the German parliament last Friday to increase the military budget, a discussion has begun about providing the military with nuclear weapons.
German engineering workers protest job cuts in Berlin
By our reporters, 30 November 2016
The IG Metall trade union and works council intend to present a business plan to management under which job cuts will supposedly be a “last resort.”
IYSSE opposes physical attack on right-wing professor at Berlin’s Humboldt University
By the International Youth and Students for Social Equality, 30 November 2016
Acts of violence against professors undermine the fight against right-wing ideology and provide a pretext for university administrators to crack down on political opposition.
Lufthansa makes new offer to striking pilots
By Dietmar Henning, 28 November 2016
The offer made by the Lufthansa board on Friday evening is aimed at breaking the resistance of the pilots’ union and pushing through fundamental changes in working conditions.
The 2017 German budget: Billions for the military and war
By Johannes Stern, 28 November 2016
Almost three years after President Gauck and the German government announced the end of military restraint, a massive build-up of the military is at the centre of the budget.
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.
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.
Germany: Humboldt University Student Parliament opposes military advertising at university
By our reporter, 24 November 2016
The motion to ban advertising by the armed forces at the university was introduced by the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) chapter at Humboldt.
Merkel to run for fourth term as German chancellor
By Ulrich Rippert, 23 November 2016
A new Merkel chancellorship is an appeal for all parties to close ranks as opposition grows to austerity and militarism.
Humboldt University Professor Sandkühler’s response to the IYSSE: A declaration of intellectual bankruptcy
By International Youth and Students for Social Equality, 23 November 2016
Professor Sandkühler declares any criticism of the right-wing positions of his colleague Jörg Baberowski “outrageous” and rejects any discussion of the issues involved.
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