Europe
Fate of London Stadium epitomises toxic “Olympic Legacy”
Part two
By Paul Bond, 1 May 2018
The former Olympic Stadium, which has already cost taxpayers more than £750 million, represents a legacy of corporate venality, corruption and graft.
French immigration bill attacks right to asylum
By Athiyan Silva, 1 May 2018
The neo-fascist National Front voted for provisions of the bill, marking the first time a French government has passed legislative measures with FN support.
Fate of London Stadium epitomises toxic “Olympic legacy”
Part one
By Paul Bond, 30 April 2018
The former Olympic Stadium, which has already cost taxpayers more than £750 million, has left a legacy of corporate venality, corruption and graft.
“Old Europe” comes to Washington
By Alex Lantier and Andre Damon, 28 April 2018
Fifteen years ago, the European powers opposed the US-British invasion of Iraq. Now they are scrambling to serve as junior partners in the new carve-up of the Middle East.
UK universities being integrated into military-security apparatus
By Thomas Scripps, 28 April 2018
In addition to commercial relations with the military-industrial complex, universities are working closely with the armed forces to provide education and recruitment opportunities.
German Chancellor Merkel and Donald Trump hold tense meeting in Washington
By Peter Schwarz, 28 April 2018
While the meeting appeared superficially friendly, Trump made no concessions on the fundamental issues discussed.
UK: Brexit divisions threaten government defeat
By Chris Marsden, 28 April 2018
The prime minister is under pressure from both sides of her party to clarify her position on the customs union, the mechanism allowing goods to be transported tariff-free between European Union member states.
London residents speak out on Grenfell fire
By our reporters, 24 April 2018
Ten months since the inferno that killed at least 72 people at a housing tower in London, no one has been held accountable.
UK: Report by building research firm reveals scale of criminality that led to Grenfell fire
By Barry Mason, 20 April 2018
No one has been brought to justice for last June’s fire, but a report by a building research body makes clear there is ample evidence to allow for immediate arrests and charging to proceed.
Nearly 30,000 single-parent families made homeless in England in 2017
By Dennis Moore, 20 April 2018
Last year, one third of single parents were affected by welfare cuts, while 39 percent are struggling in low-paid, often insecure work.
UK government’s racist targeting of Caribbean migrants provokes backlash
By Robert Stevens and Thomas Scripps, 19 April 2018
The tightening of immigration legislation was in line with a policy of creating, in Prime Minister May’s words, a “really hostile environment” for “illegal” immigrants.
Germany’s pro-war Left Party postures as a “party of peace”
By Johannes Stern, 19 April 2018
The Left Party in Germany is trying to portray itself as an opponent of war in order to prevent a powerful anti-war movement from developing.
University and College Union sells out UK lecturers strike
By Robert Stevens, 18 April 2018
It was to demobilise opposition to its rotten deal with the employers that the UCU cut the number of universities due to walk out this week, before suspending strike action altogether
Government crisis in the Czech Republic
By Markus Salzmann, 18 April 2018
Under the guise of popular protests in the Czech Republic, reactionary elements are working to advance a policy to strengthen the government along with the ruling class.
UK: Labour right lines up with government over Syria bombing
By Chris Marsden, 17 April 2018
Yesterday May faced widespread criticism, but largely for having failed to recall Parliament rather than any substantive opposition to the illegal action taken by the US, France and the UK.
EU foreign ministers push for regime change in Damascus following Syria attack
By Peter Schwarz, 17 April 2018
Although the attack on Syria was in clear violation of international law, the EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Luxembourg explicitly endorsed it.
Russian government blocks messaging app Telegram
By Clara Weiss, 17 April 2018
The attack on encrypted communication is part of the international drive by governments to censor the Internet and expand mass surveillance.
UK: Demands grow for May government to hold debate on Syria attack
By Robert Stevens, 16 April 2018
UK Prime Minister Theresa May is due to make a formal statement to parliament today on the Syria airstrikes, but no vote is to take place.
Demonstration against rent increases in Berlin draws 25,000
By our reporters, 16 April 2018
The large numbers participating in the demonstration, which was originally only expected to attract 4,000, illustrates the depth of the anger over unaffordable rents.
US and imperialist allies launch strikes against Syria
By The World Socialist Web Site Editorial Board, 14 April 2018
All of the governments participating in this new onslaught are crisis-ridden and lack any electoral legitimacy.
War fever grips German media
By Peter Schwarz, 14 April 2018
Die Welt demanded the “eradication of the Assad regime” and the deployment of “hundreds of thousands of soldiers” to Syria to “in the worst case scenario, fight Russians and Iranians.”
Spanish government promotes militarism in schools
By Alejandro López, 14 April 2018
The reactionary syllabus includes the need to respect the army, the police, the flag, the anthem and the King and to uphold the unity of Spain.
New pro-EU party planned to oppose Corbyn and Labour
By Julie Hyland, 13 April 2018
The project intends to “borrow” ideas from “both left and right,” promoting divisive identity politics—based on race, gender and sexual orientation—while championing “wealth creation and tighter immigration controls.”
UK higher education and university staff oppose union sellout ahead of ballot result
By Thomas Scripps, 11 April 2018
There is strong resistance to the University and College Union’s attempted sell-out of the pension dispute by university staff who oppose the bureaucracy’s lying claims.
Students protest against Macron as strikes against austerity mount in France
By Johannes Stern and Alex Lantier, 11 April 2018
All over the country, students are occupying campuses and holding general assemblies and demonstrations.
Strikes mount as National Assembly opens debate on French rail privatization
By Alex Lantier, 10 April 2018
Air France workers are taking strike action today over wage demands, after rail workers mounted a fourth day of rotating strikes yesterday.
Right-wing nationalist Orban wins Hungarian election
By Peter Schwarz, 10 April 2018
Expectations that the Fidesz Party would lose support due to corruption scandals and claims by pollsters that the mood in the country was shifting did not materialise.
UK’s Open University to be decimated, as more jobs are eliminated
By Simon Whelan, 10 April 2018
Hundreds of jobs are threatened in the largest restructuring and redundancy programme in university history.
New Anti-capitalist Party seeks to strangle French rail strikes
By Alex Lantier, 10 April 2018
Fifty years after the 1968 general strike, the Pabloite NPA insists workers should take orders from organizations it admits support the attacks on rail workers.
Britain piles on lies to shore up Skripal poisoning accusations against Russia
By Robert Stevens, 9 April 2018
Faced with a devastating exposure of the May government’s concoctions, within the space of a month, the British media is in damage limitation mode.
Spain responds to German court decision on Puigdemont with threats of stepped-up repression
By Alejandro López, 9 April 2018
The court’s decision is a setback for Madrid, which was confident Puigdemont would be returned to Spain and the possibility of 30 years in jail, with the German government’s tacit agreement.
As the unions continue talks with the government
French rail workers, students resume strike action against Macron
By Kumaran Ira, 9 April 2018
The trade unions are coordinating with the Macron government to contain the rail workers’ strike movement against the planned privatisation of the French National Railways.
Bogus anti-Semitism campaign against Corbyn and Labour reveals its Zionist agenda
By Jean Shaoul, 9 April 2018
The furore over Jewdas confirms that the three-year-long campaign accusing Corbyn of tolerating anti-Semitism is part of an effort to discredit the entire left.
Isle of Wight Council continues to cut services
By Paul Bond, 9 April 2018
Every aspect of social provision on the island stands as an indictment of the capitalist system.
Charities work with UK Home Office to deport rough sleepers
By Tom Pearce, 6 April 2018
In 2017, the rough sleeping rate in London showed an 18 percent rise since 2016, with 59 percent of rough sleepers in the capital being non-UK nationals.
The right-wing politics of the British “Labour anti-Semitism” smear campaign
By Jean Shaoul, 5 April 2018
The tendencies and prominent leaders involved make clear that strident accusations of anti-Semitism are aimed at shifting British politics sharply to the right.
The lies of the imperialist powers over the Skripal affair unravel
By Robert Stevens, 5 April 2018
Not since Nazi Germany has the world witnessed such a shameless falsification of events as the provocation concocted around the poisoning in England of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter.
UK security review exposes militarist agenda behind Russian Novichok allegations
By Thomas Scripps, 5 April 2018
Prime Minister May defined the Fusion Strategy as the “use of all our capabilities” to “project our global influence.”
Major strikes in France challenge Macron’s right-wing reforms
By Peter Schwarz and Eric London, 3 April 2018
The railway workers’ strike, which began Monday evening, is the biggest test of strength to date between President Emmanuel Macron and the French working class.
Explosive social conditions in Spain behind moves toward police state
By Vicky Short, 3 April 2018
Behind the police-state measures being enacted in Spain lie economic, political and social tensions that are also now finding expression in a growing movement of the working class.
Italy: Five Star Movement makes a deal with the far-right League
By Marianne Arens and Peter Schwarz, 30 March 2018
The protest movement Five Star and the far-right League have moved closer together. They might now form a coalition government.
Vote “No” to University and College Union sellout of UK lecturers pension strike
By Robert Stevens, 29 March 2018
The University and College Union’s Higher Education Committee voted to put an inferior pensions’ offer from Universities UK to a ballot, in the face of lecturer’s opposition.
German politicians question US-led campaign against Russia
By Johannes Stern, 29 March 2018
While London and Washington continue to further incite tensions with Russia over the Skripal case, criticism is mounting within the European Union over their aggressive stance towards Moscow.
Labour Party right lead demands for second Brexit referendum
By Julie Hyland, 29 March 2018
Despite stating recently that he was in favour of “a customs union” with the EU, Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn has stopped short of endorsing membership of the Single European Market and a second referendum.
Perpetrator of Carcassonne and Trèbes terrorist attacks known to French intelligence agencies
By Anthony Torres, 29 March 2018
The bloody attack raises more questions about the responsibility of the French state, which has infiltrated Islamist terror networks in their war in Syria.
The poisoning of Skripal and the campaign against Russia
By Bill Van Auken, 28 March 2018
From the Zinoviev Letter of 1924 to the alleged poisoning of a double agent in the UK, both US and British intelligence have a long record of employing lies to justify war and reaction.
UK: Grenfell fire inquiry withholds vital evidence from the bereaved and survivors
By Paul Mitchell, 28 March 2018
Lawyers for the bereaved, survivors and local residents will be prevented from raising issues of a “social, economic and political nature.”
Russia: Protests against officials erupt in wake of Kemerovo fire
By Clara Weiss, 28 March 2018
The horrific fire at the Kemerovo “Winter Cherry” shopping mall and entertainment center on March 25 has brought social and political tensions in Russia to a boiling point.
Stop the prosecution of left-wing anti-war students in Turkey
Statement of Toplumsal Esitlik—the ICFI’s Turkish supporters, 28 March 2018
The crackdown against Bogazici University students is part of broader repression against the workers and youth by President Erdogan and his ruling Justice and Development Party.
Russia: At least 64 dead, including many children, in horrific shopping mall fire
By Clara Weiss, 27 March 2018
Like the Grenfell fire last summer in London, the fire at the Kemerovo shopping mall on Sunday is a social crime for which the ruling oligarchy bears full responsibility.
European Union backs UK in accusing Russia of nerve agent attack
By Chris Marsden, 24 March 2018
Britain is using the alleged attempted assassination of the Skripals to ally itself with powerful sections of the US establishment pushing for a more hardline stance against Russia.
Barely any “affordable” housing being built in the UK
By Margot Miller, 22 March 2018
Local councils, many Labour-run, have responded to rapacious funding cuts from central government by privatising services, selling off remaining council stock and facilitating highly profitable deals with developers.
No to talks with Macron on the privatisation of French railways!
For a political struggle against austerity and militarism in Europe!
By Alex Lantier, 22 March 2018
Workers taking part in a nationwide strike in France on March 22 are confronted with an international political struggle.
UK-EU draft deal pleases neither side of ruling elite’s Brexit divide
By Chris Marsden, 21 March 2018
Struck against the background of demands for action against Russia, the agreement gave expression to rising antagonisms between the UK and its European rivals.
“The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference and that’s how those in power view many in our society”
Grenfell fire: An interview with North Kensington resident Joe Delaney
By Robert Stevens, 21 March 2018
In this interview, local resident Joe Delaney speaks about his initial involvement in tenants housing issues in North Kensington and the Grenfell Action Group, his thoughts on the Grenfell fire and the official public inquiry.
European Union seeks tariff exemptions as US sets out demands
By Nick Beams, 20 March 2018
Talks in Washington with the Trump administration will determine whether the EU proceeds with threatened measures in retaliation against the US imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminium.
London, NATO step up war threats against Russia over Skripal poisoning
By Alex Lantier, 19 March 2018
NATO authorities issued a barrage of political and military threats at Russia, a nuclear-armed power, without providing any evidence for their allegations.
Witch-hunt of Corbyn aims to silence popular opposition to anti-Russia offensive
By Chris Marsden, 19 March 2018
Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn’s cautioning against a “rush to judgement” in the alleged poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal has prompted frenzied media denunciations.
Putin wins Russian presidential elections amid growing international and domestic instability
By Vladimir Volkov and Clara Weiss, 19 March 2018
The Russian presidential elections took place amid unprecedented geopolitical tensions, and a prolonged decline in popular living standards.
Spain’s Amazon workers call first ever strike at Madrid hub
By Alejandro López, 19 March 2018
For more than a year, Amazon has been negotiating with the unions to impose a new agreement that would drastically reduce workers’ rights.
Northern Ireland: Loyalist killer was a police agent
By Steve James, 19 March 2018
Gary Haggarty was working as a British agent when he killed five people on what the government still insists is the “British soil” of Northern Ireland.
Questions mount about UK allegations over "novichok" poison in Skripal case
By Alex Lantier, 19 March 2018
Scientists have repeatedly questioned the existence of the ‘novichok’ poison which London is claiming, without providing evidence, that Russia used to poison Skripal.
The role of the UCU Left in the effort to shut down the UK lecturers strike
By Robert Stevens, 17 March 2018
From its formation, the UCU Left pledged to work with the right wing within the UCU leadership, and has served to suppress opposition and bolster the authority of the unions.
UK: Lecturers and students speak on struggle to fight savage pension cuts
By our reporters, 17 March 2018
WSWS reporters spoke to striking lecturers and students on picket lines and at rallies Thursday and Friday in London and Glasgow.
New German foreign minister threatens Russia and intensifies militarism
By Johannes Stern, 17 March 2018
In his inaugural address, the new foreign minister stressed that the third grand coalition under Angela Merkel would accelerate Germany’s return to an aggressive foreign policy.
The UK lecturers strike and the struggle against marketisation
Former student sues university for cost of her education
By Thomas Scripps, 16 March 2018
The collective endeavour of learning is being replaced by a purely financial and adversarial relationship between universities and students and the academic workforce.
As tensions escalate, UK expels 23 Russian diplomats
By Chris Marsden, 15 March 2018
May is leading an international offensive to reinforce demands for action against Russia, up to and including a military response, working in close collaboration with the US.
French ruling elite brays for war in Syria amid US-UK threats against Russia
By Alex Lantier, 15 March 2018
As Paris moves to restore the draft, the major NATO powers are creating conditions for major wars in which large draftee armies could be deployed.
UK lecturers resume strike following rebellion against UCU sellout agreement
By Robert Stevens, 15 March 2018
From the beginning of the dispute, the SEP has insisted that the UCU is not an organisation fighting in the interests of workers. It is a tool of management and, as with all the unions, cannot be reformed through rank and file pressure.
Germany: Merkel’s re-election and the fight against militarism, welfare cuts and dictatorship
By Johannes Stern, 15 March 2018
With the re-election of Angela Merkel, the most right-wing German government has taken office since the fall of the Third Reich.
The Skripal poisoning: What lies behind UK-US ultimatums against Russia?
By Alex Lantier, 14 March 2018
As London and NATO concoct a case for war against Russia based on allegations that Moscow poisoned Sergei Skripal, certain elementary questions must be asked.
UK university lecturers revolt against union sell-out agreement
By Robert Stevens, 14 March 2018
Thousands protested nationally and hundreds of lecturers lobbied outside the union’s headquarters in London Tuesday to demand rejection of a deal reached the previous evening.
“I’m delighted with the voices of solidarity from West Virginia”
Students and lecturers at the University of Aberdeen speak about the issues in the strike
By our reporters, 14 March 2018
Members of the IYSSE spoke to students and striking lecturers at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland about the issues in the lecturers’ struggle.
UK seeks international support for anti-Russia measures
By Chris Marsden, 14 March 2018
UK Prime Minister Theresa May is engaged in a high-stakes effort to turn the tide internationally towards stepped-up conflict with Russia, up to and including a military confrontation.
Great power politics, militarism, increased deportations: The right-wing programme of Germany’s grand coalition
By Peter Schwarz, 14 March 2018
The ruling class of Germany is reacting to the crisis of the European Union by returning to the criminal methods it used in the past.
Striking UK lecturers speak out to denounce attempted UCU sell-out: “I’d like to see the membership taking control more as it has done today”
By our reporters, 14 March 2018
World Socialist Web Site reporters interviewed striking lecturers at an all-day protest of several hundred lecturers, students and university workers outside UCU’s headquarters in North London.
“It’s certainly not going to shut me up”
Grenfell fire: Joe Delaney answers right-wing media witch-hunt
By Robert Stevens, 14 March 2018
The World Socialist Web Site spoke to north Kensington resident Joe Delaney about the recent attack on him by the Sunday Times.
68th Berlin International Film Festival—Part 1
The 2018 Berlinale and the #MeToo campaign
By Stefan Steinberg and Verena Nees, 14 March 2018
The 68th Berlin Film Festival, whose 2018 edition ended February 25, is the world’s largest film festival open to the public.
UK prime minister delivers ultimatum to Russia, heightening war danger
By Laura Tiernan, 13 March 2018
May’s speech follows a wave of anti-Russia hysteria unleashed by the media, political and military establishment, including the mobilisation of 180 military personnel in the cathedral city of Salisbury.
UK: More than a million welfare benefit sanctions imposed against disabled people
By Dennis Moore, 13 March 2018
In 2015, the UK government withheld £132 million from claimants in the form of sanctions.
An Open letter from the International Youth and Students for Social Equality to the editors of German daily Tageszeitung
12 March 2018
The following letter was sent by the IYSSE to the editors of the German daily Tageszeitung, after it published a defence of right-wing extremist professor Jörg Baberowski and defamed his critics.
Corbyn opposes Momentum leader Jon Lansman’s bid for Labour’s general secretary post
By Julie Hyland, 9 March 2018
Far from marking a breach in the bureaucratic apparatus, the contest between two supporters of leader Jeremy Corbyn underscores the anti-democratic, right-wing character of Labour.
Dozens of fatalities during European cold snap
By Tom Pearce and Robert Stevens, 9 March 2018
According to reports, more than 60 people, including many homeless people, have perished across the continent, with 29 dying in Poland alone.
Anti-Russia campaign follows alleged poisoning of former UK/Russian double agent and daughter
By Robert Stevens, 8 March 2018
Sergei Skripal is a former colonel in Russia’s GRU, the military intelligence service. He spent four years in jail in Russia after being found guilty in 2006 of passing secrets to the British MI6.
Germany: Grand coalition expands foreign operations in Afghanistan and Iraq
By Johannes Stern, 8 March 2018
No sooner had the membership of the SPD voted for the continuation of the government alliance with the CDU/CSU, plans for new military operations were announced.
After Burkina Faso bombing, France pledges to step up war in Sahel
By Francis Dubois, 8 March 2018
The capital of Ouagadougou was shaken on March 2 by an attack by two commando squads on the French embassy and Burkinabe army headquarters.
Why the far-right won in Italy
By Peter Schwarz, 7 March 2018
Decades of austerity and attacks on democratic rights by the official “left” in Italy, aided and abetted by its pseudo-left apologists, have produced an electoral victory by the far-right parties.
Putin’s state of the nation speech highlights crisis of Russian oligarchy
By Clara Weiss, 6 March 2018
Menaced by US imperialism and gripped by economic crisis, the Russian state headed by Putin offers no solution to the historic impasse facing the country.
German Green Party-aligned newspaper defends far-right Professor Baberowski
International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE), 6 March 2018
The Tageszeitung, a daily close to the German Green Party, dedicated its weekend edition to a frontal attack on the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE).
Hung parliament emerges in Italy as social-democratic vote collapses
By Alex Lantier, 5 March 2018
Yesterday’s general elections in Italy have produced a hung parliament and a historic collapse of the ruling social-democratic Democratic Party.
German Social Democratic Party votes to form grand coalition
By Johannes Stern, 5 March 2018
The SPD has cleared the way with their vote for the most right-wing government in Germany since the downfall of the Nazis.
European Union demands Google, Facebook step up Internet censorship
By Kumaran Ira, 5 March 2018
The EU’s call for the automatic removal of online content is part of an international attempt to censor social opposition to austerity and war.
EU threatens retaliation to Trump’s trade war measures
By Peter Symonds, 3 March 2018
Trump’s announcement of global tariffs on steel and aluminium has triggered international criticism, including from US allies that will be among the hardest hit.
French neo-fascist Marine Le Pen indicted for tweeting pictures of IS killings
By Francis Dubois, 3 March 2018
The indictment of two National Front deputies for posting pictures on Twitter is an act of political censorship threatening basic democratic rights.
Theresa May’s Brexit speech gets short shrift from European Union
By Chris Marsden, 3 March 2018
Despite her conciliatory tone, May failed to meet EU demands to flesh out what her government means by “ambitious managed diversion.”
Germany: The membership vote and the war policy of the SPD
By Ulrich Rippert, 3 March 2018
The massive pressure the SPD leadership has exerted on its members is part of a political conspiracy to implement a militaristic program.
Elections in Italy deepen European Union crisis
By Peter Schwarz, 3 March 2018
Unless the polls are proved wrong, tomorrow’s parliamentary election in Italy will usher in a new stage in the crisis and instability of the European Union.
The Italian election alliance Potere al Popolo: A repackaging of pseudo-left politics
By Marianne Arens and Peter Schwarz, 2 March 2018
The driving force behind this new Italian electoral alliance is Rifondazione Comunista, which for many years played a crucial role in stabilising the bourgeois order and suppressing the class struggle.
Skoda workers in the Czech Republic prepare to strike
By Ulrich Rippert, 1 March 2018
The strike preparations at Skoda are part of a growing radicalisation of workers in Eastern Europe, who are no longer willing to accept conditions of extreme exploitation.
German defence minister confirms grand coalition’s rearmament plans
By Johannes Stern, 1 March 2018
Ursula von der Leyen made clear in a recent interview what the central tasks of Germany’s incoming government will be: a major rearmament programme and the waging of war.
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