Europe
French media, political parties hush up PS government’s coup plan
By Alex Lantier, 20 May 2017
Thursday’s edition of L’Obs magazine revealed that the outgoing Socialist Party government planned a coup d’état if National Front candidate Marine Le Pen had won the May 7 presidential elections.
French government prepared coup if Le Pen won presidential election
By Alex Lantier, 19 May 2017
According to L'Obs the plan aimed not to keep Le Pen out of office, but to crush anti-fascist protests, impose martial law, and force Le Pen to work with a social democratic government.
UK: Labour’s manifesto amended to stress commitment to militarism and war
By Robert Stevens, 19 May 2017
Jeremy Corbyn’s infinite malleability is essential to the Labour “left” in providing the necessary window dressing to sell to the working class a party of big business, militarism and war.
“It’s sheer slavery”
Amazon warehouse worker in Manchester UK “enterprise zone” speaks of intolerable working conditions
By our reporters, 19 May 2017
Amazon’s warehousing operations have become a byword for ultra-high levels of exploitation of a largely minimum wage workforce, who carry out highly demanding physical work.
“A declaration of hostility towards the principles of humanity”
Professor Mario Kessler publishes comment criticizing views of right-wing professor Jörg Baberowski
By Christoph Vandreier, 19 May 2017
On Sunday, the Tagesspiegel published a reader’s comment by Professor Kessler, who wrote that Humboldt University professor Baberowski showed an “elemental lack of feeling” for the victims of the Nazis.
Greek workers mount one-day strike against EU austerity package
By Alex Lantier, 18 May 2017
Workers mobilized Wednesday across Greece in a strike called by the trade unions against new austerity measures being imposed by the Syriza government.
Macron names government to implement social counterrevolution in France
By Francis Dubois, 18 May 2017
Edouard Philippe, named to the post of prime minister May 15 by newly elected President Emmanuel Macron, presented his cabinet yesterday afternoon.
Macron delays announcement of French ministerial cabinet
By Alex Lantier, 17 May 2017
The cabinet is to be announced Wednesday, with a delay of 24 hours, after verification of future ministers’ tax status and potential conflicts of interest.
UK: Labour’s shadow foreign secretary spells out Corbyn’s pro-war “journey”
By Laura Tiernan, 17 May 2017
The Labour shadow foreign secretary used her appearance Sunday on the BBC’s “Andrew Marr Show” to declare that party leader Jeremy Corbyn had repudiated his previous opposition to NATO.
Sánchez aims to save Spain’s Socialist Party from collapse
By Alejandro López, 17 May 2017
The faction backing Sánchez represents sections of the ruling class seeking to preserve the PSOE from being destroyed, like its social democratic counterparts in Greece and France.
VW trade union boss pockets €750,000 per year
By Dietmar Henning, 17 May 2017
It has just been revealed that the salary of Bernd Osterloh, chairman of the joint works council of the Volkswagen Group, totals around €750,000 per year.
French President Macron names right-wing PM, meets Merkel to plan austerity and war
By Alex Lantier, 16 May 2017
Macron’s friendly meeting with Merkel shows that his election as president is part of a social counterrevolution being waged across Europe.
French auto parts workers at GM&S; threaten to blow up plant to block closure
By Anthony Torres, 16 May 2017
The only way forward is a broad mobilization of workers to defend jobs at GM&S; in a break with the union bureaucracies and in opposition to newly elected President Emmanuel Macron.
UK National Union of Teachers sabotages struggle against funding cuts
By Tom Pearce, 16 May 2017
While the NUT continues to oppose action, other education unions, including the NASUWT, are equally concerned about preventing strikes.
Neo-Nazi network in German army larger than previously thought
By Johannes Stern, 15 May 2017
According to Der Spiegel, investigations are on-going into seven people allegedly involved in preparing terrorist attacks against high-profile German politicians.
What is in the UK Labour Party’s manifesto?
By Robert Stevens, 13 May 2017
Labour proposes to fund its spending by an increase in Corporation Tax, asking “large corporations to pay a little more while still keeping UK corporation tax among the lowest of the major economies.”
Mélenchon-Communist Party alliance for French legislative elections collapses
By Alex Lantier, 11 May 2017
The two main forces that together supported Mélenchon’s presidential bid will run as opponents in the legislative elections next month.
What way forward in the struggle against Macron?
By Alex Lantier, 9 May 2017
Macron’s actions have rapidly exposed the fraudulent claims of his media and political supporters that he would defend democracy and block the rise of neo-fascism.
Hundreds of migrants drown in Mediterranean
By Bill Van Auken, 9 May 2017
The deaths occurred during a spike in crossings spurred in part by a planned crackdown that would send migrants back to hellish conditions in Libya.
Young “gig economy” worker hounded to his death over debt repayment
By Barry Mason, 9 May 2017
According to the Debt Support Trust charity, nearly half of people struggling with debt in the UK have considered suicide to resolve their situation.
Defence Minister Von der Leyen apologises for criticizing the German army
By Ulrich Rippert, 8 May 2017
Rather than hold the army leadership to account for having covered up a right-wing terrorist conspiracy, Germany’s defence minister has been forced to kowtow to the general staff after mildly criticising its actions.
May Day 2017
The class issues in the British election
By Chris Marsden, 5 May 2017
With trade and military war comes the attack on wages, working conditions and the destruction of essential services.
Dangerous developments in Germany
Neo-Nazi network in German army exposed
By Peter Schwarz, 4 May 2017
The arrest of a German army officer suspected of plotting the assassination of leftist politicians and high-ranking state officials has exposed the operations of neo-Nazi forces at the highest levels of the German military.
Call by Labour right for a “progressive alliance” in UK election falls flat
By Robert Stevens, 3 May 2017
Declaring that Britain’s exit from the EU is the “dominant… issue” in the upcoming election, Tony Blair called for a more “open position on Brexit across the party divide.”
Workers’ struggles: The Americas
Anger grows among US telecom workers
By Our reporters, 3 May 2017
The World Socialist Web Site urges workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature by e-mailing reports to comments@wsws.org .
May Day in France: Trade union calls to support Macron fall flat
By Francis Dubois, 2 May 2017
Workers and youth throughout France sense that the calls to “block” Le Pen from the political establishment are barely disguised appeals to vote for the former banker Macron.
German army officer arrested for planning terror attack
By Peter Schwarz, 2 May 2017
The arrest of a 28-year-old German army officer suspected of planning a far-right terrorist attack shows that the Bundeswehr provides fertile ground for extreme right-wing elements.
May Day 2017
The perspective for the working class in the French presidential election
By Alex Lantier, 2 May 2017
The PES' campaign for an active boycott of the election is the revolutionary alternative to the impotent parliamentary maneuvers proposed by Mélenchon.
French right splits as sections back neo-fascist Le Pen
By Kumaran Ira, 1 May 2017
As the French two-party political system collapses, the National Front is developing overt ties with more traditional sections of the French right.
French youth protest Le Pen-Macron second round in presidential elections
By Alex Lantier, 28 April 2017
The critical issue facing youth protesting the elections is to turn to the working class, in defiance of the media’s reactionary pro-Macron propaganda.
Blairites declare UK Labour party unelectable
By Robert Stevens and Chris Marsden, 28 April 2017
Tony Blair refused to endorse Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in an interview with Rupert Murdoch’s Sky TV Thursday, saying that Tory Prime Minister Theresa May would win the election.
British ruling elite regard Macron victory in France as a “mixed blessing”
By Julie Hyland, 27 April 2017
Britain’s right-wing media are concerned that Macron will be unable to enforce his agenda under conditions of widespread political alienation and hostility to the ruling elite.
What lies behind the German elite’s celebration of Macron?
By Johannes Stern, 26 April 2017
All the major parties have hailed the results of the first round of the French presidential election.
Labour outlines pro-business “soft Brexit” policy for June 8 vote
By Robert Stevens, 26 April 2017
Labour's preoccupation is satisfying the concerns expressed by the majority of Britain’s bourgeoisie, which supported Remain and whose interests are tied to the EU.
Alternative for Germany moves further to the right
By Peter Schwarz, 26 April 2017
Founded in 2013 as an anti-Euro party, the AfD has completed its transformation into a far-right, ethno-nationalist organisation.
Spain: Architect of 1936 Franco uprising reinterred with full military honours
By Alejandro López, 26 April 2017
While the army, the Church and the PP call on the victims of fascism to forget and move on, they secretly glorify and pay homage to the fascist coup plotters.
Demonstrators in Cologne support IYSSE fight for freedom of expression at Humboldt University
By our reporters, 26 April 2017
The IYSSE and SEP distributed thousands of copies of "The Defence of Historical Truth and the Fight against the Alternative for Germany (AfD)" in Cologne during demonstrations against the AfD’s party conference.
French ruling elite rallies around Macron
By Anthony Torres and Alex Lantier, 25 April 2017
Despite claims that Emmanuel Macron represents a “democratic” alternative to the fascistic Marine Le Pen, the former banker seeks to extend France's anti-democratic state of emergency, impose drastic austerity and re-establish the draft.
Attack on UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn over nuclear first strike
By Chris Marsden and Paul Mitchell, 25 April 2017
Britain’s ruling elite is set on establishing that the fundamental criteria for leading the country is a readiness to launch World War III.
Rail companies Bombardier and Siemens plan merger
By Gustav Kemper, 25 April 2017
Since the beginning of 2017, the two rail companies have been engaged in secret merger negotiations behind the backs of their employees.
UK adult social care system on verge of collapse
By Dennis Moore, 25 April 2017
Figures released by the Office for National Statistics found that the suicide rate for care workers is now twice the national average.
Macron and neo-fascist Le Pen advance to run-off in French presidential elections
By Alex Lantier, 24 April 2017
As France’s traditional two-party system collapses, neo-fascist candidate Marine Le Pen has emerged as a contender for state power.
Media and politicians agitate against Turks living in Germany
By Ulrich Rippert, 22 April 2017
While the extreme-right AfD has used the Turkish referendum vote to launch a “Turks out” campaign, some of the worst witch-hunting comes from the Left Party and the ostensibly left-liberal political milieu.
Open letter from the IYSSE to the president of Humboldt University in Berlin
22 April 2017
Sabine Kunst, the president of Humboldt University, has portrayed professors Jörg Baberowski and Herfried Münkler as the victims of a “defamation campaign” in an interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung.
Fujitsu strikers in the UK speak out in defence of framed-up Maruti Suzuki workers
By our reporters, 22 April 2017
Workers on the picket line at Fujitsu in Manchester discussed support for the victimised Indian workers, their own dispute and Saturday’s international March for Science.
UK nurses in online vote over strike in protest at low pay
By Margot Miller, 22 April 2017
Registered nurses earn an average of just £23,319 per year and had their pay kept up with inflation they would now earn £26,584.
France announces major military deployment on presidential election day
By Johannes Stern and Alex Lantier, 20 April 2017
After the arrest of two suspected Islamic State sympathizers, authorities plan to deploy 50,000 soldiers and policemen on Sunday for the first round of presidential elections.
UK parliament votes for snap June 8 general election
By Robert Stevens, 20 April 2017
In calling the election, UK Prime Minister Theresa May is seeking to expand her government’s majority by exploiting the crisis facing Labour.
Bulgaria: New government to include fascist parties
By Markus Salzmann, 20 April 2017
The right-wing conservative GERB party has agreed to form a coalition with an alliance of fascist parties known as United Patriots (UP).
“They’re stuffing money into the pockets of the shareholders”
British autoworkers strike BMW to defend pensions
By our reporters, 20 April 2017
The strike is the first by the BMW’s British workforce, who could lose up to £160,000 each if pension cuts are enforced.
No to war and nationalism! Build the PES!
Parti de l’égalité socialiste statement on the French presidential election
19 April 2017
Growing demands for peace and an end to austerity herald decisive class struggles, for which the working class urgently needs a new revolutionary leadership.
Behind the Sun’s diatribe against footballer Ross Barkley
By Tony Robson, 18 April 2017
In the furore surrounding the filthy column by Kelvin MacKenzie, little has been said about the attack on working class men in Liverpool that constitutes the main thrust of his column.
BBC documentary exposes Bank of England’s role at centre of Libor-fixing scandal
By Jean Shaoul, 13 April 2017
The Libor scandal revealed not only the criminality of the global financial system centred in London, but the massive web of corruption and complicity involving governments and financial regulators the world over.
What would a US-European-Russian war look like?
By Barry Grey, 13 April 2017
There is virtually no discussion in the mass media of the catastrophic consequences of a war involving the United States, the European powers and Russia.
Der Spiegel columnist adopts slogans of the far right
By Ulrich Rippert, 13 April 2017
Jakob Augstein, son of the founder of Der Spiegel and publisher of the weekly newspaper Freitag, has adopted positions associated with the far right: identity and homeland.
Mélenchon gains in French presidential polls after Trump’s strike on Syria
By Alex Lantier, 11 April 2017
Mélenchon is seeking to speak to a growing left-wing and anti-war sentiment in the French population, but he will only disappoint the hopes he is awakening.
Small turnouts for Podemos-led demonstrations in Spain
By Alejandro López, 11 April 2017
The pseudo-left party has come into ever more open conflict with the working class and youth, even as it steadily acquires lucrative positions in the capitalist state.
What is behind the German drive to war with Syria?
By Johannes Stern, 11 April 2017
Following the Merkel government’s declaration of support for the US attack on Syria, the German media launched a campaign for the expansion of aggression against the country.
French NPA candidate Philippe Poutou defends Trump’s bombing of Syria
By Alex Lantier, 11 April 2017
The NPA is defending the war, shamelessly denouncing any opposition to the reckless US military escalation as support for mass murder by the Syrian regime.
Attend NHS FightBack meeting in Bournemouth
UK: Oppose health care cuts, redundancies and privatisation of the National Health Service
Statement by NHS FightBack
11 April 2017
Health workers and all those who want to fight in defence of the NHS must build a new leadership, which fights on the basis of a socialist programme.
Occupational therapist and service user condemn attack on Bournemouth Intermediate Care Team
By Ajanta Silva, 11 April 2017
A resident said, “The loss of this team should be of grave concern to everybody in Bournemouth.”
Russian truckers’ strike enters third week amid police crackdown
By Clara Weiss, 10 April 2017
Finding support among broad layers of Russia’s impoverished population, the strike reflects the social tensions building up under conditions of deepening economic and political crisis.
Four killed, a dozen injured in Stockholm attack
By Kumaran Ira, 8 April 2017
A man drove a stolen lorry into a crowd outside a Stockholm department store, killing at least four people and injuring more than 12.
French presidential candidates feign opposition in 11-party debate
By Alex Lantier, 6 April 2017
The fractious debate between all 11 French presidential candidates reflected the fear of growing social opposition by the French ruling class.
Aggressive claims by Spain helped provoke Gibraltar flare-up with Britain
By Alejandro López, 6 April 2017
Sections of the Spanish ruling class have calculated that Brexit offers Spain an opportunity not only to reclaim Gibraltar but also to possibly become Washington’s new strategic ally in Europe.
UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn joins right-wing campaign against Ken Livingstone
By Robert Stevens, 6 April 2017
The action against Livingstone is an outrageous violation of democratic rights, and accusations that he is an anti-Semite are slanderous.
Oppose Humboldt University’s attack on freedom of speech and historical truth!
By the International Editorial Board of the World Socialist Web Site, 6 April 2017
Public criticism of professor Jörg Baberowski, who claims “Hitler was not vicious,” has been declared “unacceptable” by the presidium of Humboldt University.
Berlin student center halts German army advertising campaign
By Iason Stolpe, 6 April 2017
The administrative council of the Berlin Student Center decided at its last meeting that it would temporarily not accept any further advertisements for the German army.
Southern GTR train drivers in UK vote down union sell-out again
Build new organisations of struggle to unify rail workers
By Michael Barnes, 6 April 2017
Rail workers must break the stranglehold of the unions by creating their own rank-and-file organisations of struggle.
A reply to a reader’s comment on a WSWS article on Jean-Luc Mélenchon
By Alex Lantier, 5 April 2017
The WSWS evaluation of Mélenchon as a pro-war, nationalist politician whose call for restoring the draft underscores the growing danger of war is correct.
Germany clashes with US over NATO funding
By Johannes Stern, 4 April 2017
As in the periods prior to the first and second World Wars, the increasing global assertiveness of German imperialism is leading it into conflict with the United States.
Thousands protest police murder of Liu Shaoyo in Paris
By Alex Lantier, 4 April 2017
French intelligence has launched a reactionary media campaign, insinuating that protesters are agents of Beijing or of the Chinese mafia.
Triggering of Brexit intensifies national tensions in Europe
By Robert Stevens, 31 March 2017
Representatives of the EU and the continent’s major powers reacted with undisguised hostility to Prime Minister Theresa May’s triggering of the Article 50 process.
What is behind the hysterical defence of Baberowski by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung?
By Christoph Vandreier, 31 March 2017
The conservative Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung published a long article on Monday aimed at defaming and silencing Baberowski’s critics with shameless lies and gross slanders.
UK officially begins process of exiting the European Union
By Chris Marsden, 30 March 2017
The centrifugal forces tearing apart the EU reveal the failure of any attempt to overcome, within the framework of the capitalist system, the national antagonisms that gave rise to two world wars.
Four hundred attend screening of Tsar to Lenin in Leipzig
By our correspondents, 30 March 2017
Mehring Verlag, the publishing arm of the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei, sponsored two well-attended meetings on the Russian Revolution and its contemporary significance as part of the Leipzig Book fair.
Saarland state election serves as test run for the next German government
By Marianne Arens and Ulrich Rippert, 25 March 2017
The state election is being used to bolster the campaign for a federal government composed of the SPD and the Left Party.
Five confirmed dead, 40 injured in terror attack in London
By Chris Marsden, 23 March 2017
The ruling elite in Britain and internationally were quick to make political capital from the appalling event.
UK: Bournemouth Intermediate Care Services axes staff
By Ajanta Silva, 22 March 2017
The discharging of staff in Bournemouth is a sign that further decimation of services are on the horizon in 44 areas throughout England.
Dutch Prime Minister Rutte wins out against far-right challenger
By Peter Schwarz, 17 March 2017
Wilders’ poorer than expected result does not signal an end to the sharp shift to the right in European politics.
Not guilty verdict for Merseyrail guard Martin Zee deals blow to state witch-hunt
By Robert Stevens, 17 March 2017
Dragging Zee into court was a politically motivated move, taken as rail companies seek to impose Driver Only Operated trains.
German Left Party joins right-wing campaign against Turkey
By Ulrich Rippert, 16 March 2017
The German Left Party has heartily welcomed the undemocratic ban imposed on Turkish politicians by the Dutch government.
European court rules in favour of headscarf ban at workplaces
By Peter Schwarz, 16 March 2017
The ruling serves to strengthen the Islamophobic and xenophobic tendencies that are growing throughout Europe.
Top British state schools exclude working-class children
By Alice Summers, 16 March 2017
Studies show that social class is the defining factor in a child’s educational achievement.
Notes on London housing crisis
Inflated prices and a dire shortage of new housing in London
By Allison Smith, 16 March 2017
In Westminster, 7,794 residents live in temporary accommodation and one in 25 residents is homeless.
The Dutch elections and the danger of fascism
By Peter Schwarz, 15 March 2017
The fascistic Geert Wilders has set the tone for the entire spectrum of Dutch politics, from the conservative government of Prime Minister Mark Rutte to the ex-Maoist Socialist Party.
Socialist Party advocates nationalist and xenophobic programme in Dutch elections
By Martin Kreickenbaum, 15 March 2017
The ex-Maoist Socialist Party demands that Dutch workers be given preferential treatment over immigrants and calls for limits on the entry of migrants into the EU.
UK rail conductors strike at three companies to defend jobs and safety conditions
By Robert Stevens, 13 March 2017
Claims by the government and rail companies that removing conductors and eventually drivers will have no impact on public safety have been proven false by several recent incidents.
European Central Bank maintains a balancing act
By Nick Beams, 10 March 2017
The ECB retained its negative base interest rate, placing it on a divergent path from the US Federal Reserve.
UK Labour leader Corbyn and Shadow Chancellor McDonnell offer unity talks with right-wingers Blair and Mandelson
By Robert Stevens and Chris Marsden, 9 March 2017
Mandelson told an event organised by the Jewish Chronicle that he “works every single day to bring an end to (Corbyn’s) tenure in office.”
“They want to cut thousands of jobs.”
PSA purchases Opel-Vauxhall from General Motors
By Marianne Arens, 8 March 2017
The works council and IG Metall union are covering up the danger facing the jobs and living standards of workers after the takeover of Opel and Vauxhall by the PSA Group.
UK: Up to 250,000 protest attacks on National Health Service
By Robert Stevens, 6 March 2017
Speakers on the main stage, including trade union officials and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, offered no strategy to fight the onslaught against the NHS.
The Torch Light protest in Manchester: A cynical cover by Labour for complicity in austerity cuts
By Dennis Moore and Robert Stevens, 1 March 2017
In Manchester, the Labour council has enforced £340 million of cuts since 2010, resulting in a 40 percent reduction of the workforce and the gutting of public services.
Southern railway workers in UK strike in the face of union sabotage
By Michael Barnes, 28 February 2017
Southern Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) conductors and drivers carried out a 24-hour strike to oppose job-cutting demands that endanger passengers.
German ICFI section adopts new name
By Socialist Equality Party (Germany), 28 February 2017
On February 18-19, 2017, the German section of the ICFI held a congress that unanimously resolved to change the party’s name from Partei für Soziale Gleichheit (Party for Social Equality) to Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party).
Hostility to immigrants dominates major parties in Dutch election
By Dietmar Henning and Martin Kreickenbaum, 27 February 2017
According to recent polls, the liberal-social democratic governing coalition in the Netherlands will be punished for its drastic austerity policies on March 15.
German army announces major expansion as tanks roll into Eastern Europe
By Johannes Stern, 24 February 2017
Seventy-five years after the end of WWII, the German ruling class is again preparing to commit terrible crimes in pursuit of its global geostrategic and economic interests.
What is behind the German media's hype over the SPD's Martin Schulz?
By Ulrich Rippert, 24 February 2017
With a mixture of moralizing phrases and EU demagogy, Schulz seeks to mobilize the SPD and trade union apparatuses to carry out the interests of German imperialism.
Behind the UK government attack on “health tourism”
By Richard Tyler, 24 February 2017
The government announced it is seeking to recover £500 million a year from overseas visitors for health treatment.
Meeting on UK undercover policing highlights need for an independent inquiry
By Paul Mitchell, 23 February 2017
The ongoing Undercover Policing Inquiry, chaired by Lord Justice Pitchford, is aimed at whitewashing, not exposing, widespread illegal infiltration of state intelligence agencies into left-wing movements.
Follow the WSWS