Europe
1968: The general strike and the student revolt in France
Part 7—The centrist line of the OCI (3)
By Peter Schwarz, 5 June 2018
Fifty years ago, in May-June 1968, a general strike brought France to the brink of proletarian revolution. This eight-part series describes the events and draws the political lessons for today.
“My mum and my sister were murdered and cremated on 14 June last year”
UK: Final tributes to victims of Grenfell fire denounce corporate and political elite
By Robert Stevens, 5 June 2018
Testimony has repeatedly included denunciations of the ruling elite for the social murder that claimed at least 72 lives last June 14.
SEP holds Paris meeting on 50 years since May 1968 general strike
By our reporters, 5 June 2018
The Socialist Equality Party of France held a meeting on the political lessons of the May 1968 general strike on Sunday in Paris.
Dozens drown in Mediterranean as Europe cracks down on immigrants
By Eric London, 4 June 2018
At least 55 people died at sea over the weekend—the direct product of the anti-immigrant policies implemented by the governments of Europe.
UK: Grenfell victims’ relatives unable to commemorate loved-ones due to government anti-immigration policies
By Simon Whelan, 4 June 2018
Government policies bringing about heartache for Grenfell relatives are having the very impact the government desired—making it more difficult for them to testify at the public inquiry.
Extreme right takes power in Italy
By Peter Schwarz, 2 June 2018
The new Italian government sworn in yesterday in Rome is the most right-wing since the fall of the fascist Duce Benito Mussolini in 1945.
The anti-worker program of Italy’s new populist and neo-fascist government
By Marc Wells, 1 June 2018
The policies adopted in the new government's program reflect the neo-fascist character of Lega as well as the law-and-order approach of the Five Star Movement.
1968: The general strike and the student revolt in France
Part 2—The betrayal of the PCF and CGT
By Peter Schwarz, 30 May 2018
Fifty years ago, in May–June 1968, a general strike brought France to the brink of proletarian revolution. This eight-part series describes the events and draws the political lessons for today.
Relatives’ tributes at Grenfell Tower Inquiry blame government for deaths
By Robert Stevens, 29 May 2018
Family members frequently broke down as they remembered their loved ones in moving and emotional scenes.
1968: The general strike and the student revolt in France
Part 1—A revolutionary situation develops
By Peter Schwarz, 29 May 2018
Fifty years ago, in May-June 1968, a general strike brought France to the brink of proletarian revolution. This eight-part series describes the events and draws the political lessons for today.
The fight against the far-right Alternative for Germany requires a socialist perspective
Statement of the Socialist Equality Party and International Youth and Students for Social Equality, 28 May 2018
The following statement was distributed by the SEP and IYSSE at demonstrations held on Sunday against the fascist Alternative for Germany.
Ireland votes to repeal anti-abortion amendment
By Steve James, 28 May 2018
The result signals a shift to the left among broad sections of the Irish population.
Workers’ unrest in the Netherlands
By Harm Waling, 28 May 2018
Teachers in Dutch elementary schools will strike in the southern provinces on May 30, part of a growing wave of strike actions in the Netherlands.
Testimony to Grenfell Fire inquiry paints devastating picture of social murder
By Robert Stevens, 24 May 2018
The inquiry heard from Hisam Choucair, who lost six members of his family in the inferno and Karim Mussilhy, who lost his uncle, Hesham Rahman.
Ken Livingstone forced out of British Labour Party
By Thomas Scripps and Chris Marsden, 23 May 2018
The witch-hunt and expulsions within Labour will be held up as an example to follow by right-wing forces all over the world, above all in Israel and the United States.
Italy: Most right-wing government since Mussolini
By Peter Schwarz, 23 May 2018
On Sunday, the protest Five Star Movement (M5S) and the right-wing extremist Lega agreed on a joint government programme.
French public sector workers strike against austerity and attacks on conditions
By Kumaran Ira, 23 May 2018
The strikes and the 130 protests across France are a sign of growing opposition to the militarist and austerity policies of Macron and the European Union.
Members of Windrush generation speak out against UK government persecution
By Margot Miller, 23 May 2018
Governments of all persuasions have deliberately cultivated a climate of fear and intimidation against immigrants.
Sergei Skripal discharged from hospital
By Robert Stevens and Paul Bond, 21 May 2018
The entire narrative concocted by the British government has fallen apart, seam by seam.
Britain’s royal wedding: Recasting the monarchy in the age of identity politics
By Paul Mitchell, 19 May 2018
Markle’s feminism and racial identity provide the basis for the ultimate post-modernist makeover of the monarchy.
UK: Tories seek to defuse anger over Grenfell fire ahead of official public inquiry
By Robert Stevens, 18 May 2018
The claim by the government, backed by Labour, that adding two panel members to the Grenfell fire inquiry will prevent a whitewash is false.
Protests across UK against Israel’s massacre of Palestinians
By our reporters, 17 May 2018
“We need an anti-war movement. We now stand on the brink of a major war.”
New Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan takes belligerent stand on Nagorno-Karabakh
By Clara Weiss, 17 May 2018
Pashinyan’s reckless moves toward military conflict expose the fraudulent character of the Western media coverage of Armenia’s supposed “democratic revolution.”
Striking workers and students in France denounce war, Gaza massacre
By Alex Lantier, 16 May 2018
Rail workers and students protesting selective admissions at universities denounced French bombings in Syria and the Israeli army’s massacre of unarmed Palestinians.
Rome: Buses explode due to lack of maintenance
By Allison Smith, 15 May 2018
Last year, 22 buses were destroyed by fire in the Italian capital and 2018 is already on track to being far worse, with four bus fires in a single month.
Military coup against a Corbyn Labour government discussed by Daily Telegraph
By Robert Stevens, 15 May 2018
That a military coup is again under serious consideration puts paid to the illusions assiduously cultivated by Corbyn and his apologists that a Labour government led by him will inaugurate a new period of reforms.
German militarization and Trump’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal
By Johannes Stern, 15 May 2018
Following US President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear accord, the German bourgeoisie is intensifying its campaign for militarism, rearmament, and war.
French students blockade universities in struggle against selective admissions
By Guillaume Garnier, 15 May 2018
After the March 22 protest of rail and public workers against the privatisation of railways, students launched a movement to blockade universities across France.
The fraud of Mélenchon’s call for a Franco-Russian alliance against war
By Alex Lantier and Kumaran Ira, 15 May 2018
Workers cannot rely on an alliance of capitalist powers proposed by pro-war politicians like Jean-Luc Mélenchon to stave off the growing danger of global conflict over Iran.
Lega and Five Star Movement prepare a joint government in Italy
By Peter Schwarz, 12 May 2018
In Italy, the right-wing extremist Lega and the Five Star protest movement are negotiating the formation of a joint government. A result is expected at the beginning of next week.
The death of reformism: Corbyn and the “broad left”
By Chris Marsden, 11 May 2018
The following speech was delivered by Chris Marsden, national secretary of the Socialist Equality Party (UK), the British section of the International Committee of the Fourth International, for the past 20 years.
European powers condemn Trump’s cancellation of Iran nuclear treaty
By Alex Lantier and Johannes Stern, 10 May 2018
Trump’s scrapping of the 2015 treaty has revealed deep and explosive divisions between Washington and its imperialist allies in Europe.
House of Lords Brexit revolt hits Conservatives and Labour
By Paul Mitchell, 10 May 2018
Theresa May’s Conservative government suffered another defeat in the House of Lords on Tuesday, as peers voted for an amendment to the European Union withdrawal bill.
Putin begins his fourth term as Russia’s president
By Clara Weiss, 9 May 2018
Putin’s fourth term as president will inevitably be characterized by increasing social struggles in Russia.
Jeremy Corbyn silent on persecution of Julian Assange
By Laura Tiernan, 9 May 2018
It is more than two years since a United Nations human rights panel ruled that Assange’s persecution by the Swedish and British governments amounts to “arbitrary detention” and a violation of international law.
German defence minister calls for faster increase in military spending
By Johannes Stern, 9 May 2018
Since the government’s initial budget was announced last week, there has been an aggressive campaign in politics and the media with the aim of upgrading the German military much faster and more comperehensively.
Defying the trade unions, Air France workers vote to reject contract
By Alex Lantier, 8 May 2018
Workers defied not only threats from Air France and the government, but also from the union bureaucrats, who demanded that they approve the contract.
No solution to Italian government crisis
By Marianne Arens, 8 May 2018
The second attempt to form a government failed on May 3 when the leadership of the Democratic Party rejected a coalition with the Five Star Movement.
The struggle against militarism and the far right in Europe
By Peter Schwarz, 8 May 2018
The following speech was delivered to the May Day rally by Peter Schwarz, Secretary of the International Committee of the Fourth International for the past 32 years, and a leading member of the German section of the ICFI.
Belgian prime minister smears filmmaker Ken Loach as “anti-Semitic”
By Paul Bond, 4 May 2018
The pro-austerity premier’s slur demonstrates how baseless charges of anti-Semitism are being used to attack any form of social protest or comment.
Germany: Grand coalition government discusses war budget
By Johannes Stern, 3 May 2018
While there is supposedly no money for social programmes, jobs, pensions and medical care, defence spending next year alone is set to rise by at least three billion euros.
Food factories closing across Britain
By Steve James, 3 May 2018
The looming mass layoffs expose the bankruptcy of all the mainstream parties and trade unions claiming to speak for the factory workers.
Armenian parliament rejects pro-Western opposition leader’s bid to be prime minister
By Clara Weiss, 2 May 2018
The main roots of the political crisis lie in the advanced preparations for imperialist war in the region.
German army rehearses for civil war
By Gregor Link, 2 May 2018
The deployment of the Bundeswehr domestically and the networking of civilian agencies with the police and military are part of a comprehensive rearmament offensive.
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.
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