Europe
UK’s Daily Mail tries to scapegoat resident for Grenfell Tower inferno
By Margot Miller and Robert Stevens, 21 June 2017
Angry denunciations of the tabloid flooded in after it tried to pin the blame for the horrific fire that cost the lives of at least 79 people on an Ethiopian taxi driver.
German Greens seek power—at any price
By Dietmar Henning, 21 June 2017
The Greens are currently hovering around 5 percent in opinion polls and could fail to reach the threshold necessary for entry into the Bundestag.
Exit talks begin between UK and European Union
By Chris Marsden, 20 June 2017
Britain’s Brexit Secretary David Davis and Michel Bernier of the European Union launched negotiations Monday on the terms of Britain’s exit from the trade bloc.
“We cannot brush this under the table, some heads have to roll”
London residents speak on Grenfell Tower fire
By our reporters, 20 June 2017
London residents and people living in housing nearby Grenfell Tower speak about the horrifying fire that has killed at least 79 residents, and the economic and political decisions that allowed it to happen.
France’s new pro-Macron legislature: The ruling class in office
By Francis Dubois, 20 June 2017
Despite claims that President Emmanuel Macron is renovating French politics, his party is a haven for business owners and France’s old political establishment.
On the eve of the second round of the French legislative elections
By Alex Lantier, 17 June 2017
The elections taking place tomorrow will undoubtedly mark a historic collapse of French democracy and of what has passed for the “left” in France for nearly a half century.
Spanish dockers strike in opposition to deregulation
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
16 June 2017
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute by writing to comments@wsws.org.
London’s Grenfell Tower inferno: A crime against the working class
By Laura Tiernan, 15 June 2017
The catastrophic fire broke out shortly after midnight Wednesday, on the second floor of 24-storey council flats in Kensington, West London that were home to an estimated 500 people.
German law professor accuses Baberowski of right-wing extremism and historical revisionism
By Peter Schwarz, 15 June 2017
Despite right-wing historian Jörg Baberowski’s defeat in court, the Presidium of Humboldt University continues to defend him. Bremen-based law Professor Andreas Fischer-Lescano has therefore accused the university Presidium of being “an accomplice of right-wing scholarship.”
Syriza government in Greece passes more austerity
By John Vassilopoulos, 13 June 2017
The bill includes measures designed to facilitate mass sackings as well as further sell-offs of public assets.
European Central Bank still failing to meet inflation objective
By Nick Beams, 10 June 2017
Structural changes in the European economy mean low wages along with part-time and casual employment are becoming the “new normal.”
Britain’s general election: A new stage in the class struggle
By Chris Marsden and Julie Hyland, 10 June 2017
To those now inclined to accept the portrayal of Corbyn by pseudo-left groups in Britain as the natural leader of the working class, we say: Remember Alexis Tsipras and Syriza.
British general election delivers seismic political shock
By Chris Marsden and Julie Hyland, 9 June 2017
Though the election result in part reflected concern over May’s hard Brexit strategy, the overwhelming issue was hostility to Tory austerity measures.
New Anti-capitalist Party (NPA) election meeting in Paris: The dead end of the pseudo-left
By Alex Lantier, 9 June 2017
Despite the war crisis and growing social anger among workers, NPA leader Alain Krivine insisted that internationalist opposition to capitalism would find no popular support.
IYSSE demands Humboldt University retract its defense of right-wing radical Jorg Baberowski
By the IYSSE at Humboldt University, 9 June 2017
The university leadership can no longer sustain the assertion that it is protecting the freedom of academic inquiry and defending a scholar “whose integrity is beyond doubt.”
Britain’s crisis election and the tasks facing the working class
By Chris Marsden, 7 June 2017
Britain is being destabilised economically, politically and socially as world capitalism descends into its deepest crisis since the end of World War II.
London terror suspects were known to police
By Chris Marsden, 6 June 2017
As evidence continued to mount that the attackers received some degree of state protection, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn denounced Prime Minister Theresa May for having allowed “cuts in police numbers.”
Macron’s En Marche set to win large majority in French legislative elections
By Alex Lantier, 6 June 2017
The newly-elected president intends for the assembly, controlled by his party, to serve as a rubber stamp for unprecedented attacks on social and democratic rights.
Official account of London terror attack unravels
By Robert Stevens and Chris Marsden, 5 June 2017
Within 24 hours of Saturday’s terror attack at London Bridge, the official narrative presented by British Prime Minister Theresa May has begun to fall apart.
Socialist Equality Party stands candidates in German election: Against militarism and war! For socialism!
By Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party of Germany), 5 June 2017
At the centre of the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (SGP) election campaign is a socialist programme directed against war and capitalism and expressing the interests of the working class and youth all over the world.
In French legislative elections, Mélenchon moves closer to Macron
By Kumaran Ira, 2 June 2017
The perspective for opposition to President Emmanuel Macron’s agenda offered by Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the leader of the Unsubmissive France movement, is collapsing.
Germany turns to Asia
By Johannes Stern, 1 June 2017
In the midst of a historic crisis in transatlantic relations, Berlin is working systematically to expand political and economic ties with Asia.
Green Party mayor demolishes refugee camp in Grenoble, France
By Athiyan Silva, 1 June 2017
More than one hundred CRS police rounded up and forcibly expelled refugees from the Valmy Refugee camp in southeast France.
German Professor Baberowski explains his far-right agenda
By Peter Schwarz, 31 May 2017
In an interview in the Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Humboldt University Professor Jörg Baberowski complains of the “cultural hegemony of the left” and calls for the “removal of taboos” on far-right positions.
German Social Democrats, Left Party back Merkel’s anti-US stance
By Peter Schwarz, 30 May 2017
The political and media establishment in Germany is exploiting outrage at US President Trump’s arrogant behaviour to mobilise support behind an independent great power policy.
UK and US mount damage control operation over Manchester bombing
By Robert Stevens, 30 May 2017
Amid revelations that suicide bomber Salmand Abedi was closely monitored by British intelligence, MI5 has launched an investigation into its latest “intelligence failure.”
Gasoline and chemical truck drivers strike in France
By Francis Dubois, 30 May 2017
The unions are insisting that this strike should be limited to action in one industry and are seeking to avoid any serious interruption of industry and transport.
As Labour rises in UK polls, Blairite breakaway party plans gather pace
By Robert Stevens, 29 May 2017
Ahead of the June 8 snap general election, former Labour Party leader Tony Blair and his supporters are brazenly advancing plans to establish a new right-wing political formation.
Conflict between Europe and America dominates NATO summit
By Johannes Stern, 26 May 2017
The first trip by US President Donald Trump to Europe has exposed the deep rift in the transatlantic alliance.
Trump to press for increased defence spending at NATO summit
By Johannes Stern, 25 May 2017
Thursday’s summit takes place in the context of a deep crisis to which the ruling classes on both sides of the Atlantic are responding with a sharp shift to the right.
Macron prepares enabling act to slash contracts, labor rights in France
By Alex Lantier, 23 May 2017
The newly-elected president is preparing a historic assault on jobs, wages, and labor legislation to be rammed through by presidential decree in the face of public opposition.
Explosion kills, wounds dozens at pop concert in Manchester
By our reporters, 23 May 2017
The carnage and terror occurred barely 17 days before Britain votes in the snap June 8 national election.
Trump’s speech in Saudi Arabia intensifies tensions with Europe
By Peter Schwarz, 23 May 2017
The European media has accused Trump of further inflaming the conflict between Sunnis and Shiites with his moves to forge a closer alliance with Saudi Arabia targeted against Iran.
Links established between neo-Nazi network and “Identity Movement” in the German army
By Christoph Vandreier, 23 May 2017
The latest reports confirm that the suspected terrorist cell is part of more widespread right-wing extremist networks in the German army.
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.
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