Europe
Left Party supports anti-refugee policies of German government
By Johannes Stern, 3 July 2018
At the EU summit last week, measures against refugees were discussed that recall the darkest period of German and European history.
London’s Grenfell Tower disaster: The cost of cuts and privatisation in firefighting
By Paul Bond, 3 July 2018
The treatment of firefighter Dowden at the Grenfell Tower Inquiry points again to attempts to shift responsibility for the events of June 14, 2017 onto the very people who faced impossible odds to control the escalating blaze.
European Union intensifies campaign of terror against refugees
By Johannes Stern, 2 July 2018
The EU summit at the end of last week marked a dangerous turning point in post-World War II European history.
The NHS 70th anniversary rally in London: A vote of no confidence in Labour and the trade unions
By Paul Mitchell and Robert Stevens, 2 July 2018
Despite their occasional holiday speeches pledging to defend the NHS, neither the Labour Party nor the trade unions have lifted a finger to prevent its evisceration.
“I believe the NHS is the greatest thing about British society”
British workers speak out in defence of public healthcare
By our reporters, 2 July 2018
Socialist Equality Party members and supporters spoke to people attending Saturday’s demonstration marking the 70th anniversary of the creation of the UK’s National Health Service.
UK: Haringey Council tower block residents lived in danger for 30 years
By Paul Bond, 29 June 2018
More than 200 families must leave their homes in Broadwater Farm, north London, as their tower blocks are at risk of collapse in the event of a gas explosion or even a vehicle impact.
Citing tariffs, Harley-Davidson to move US production to Europe
By Jacob Crosse, 27 June 2018
In response to the developing trade war between the US and Europe, motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson said it is shifting some production to international facilities.
Podemos meets with Catalan nationalists on behalf of Madrid
By Alejandro López, 27 June 2018
The new, Podemos-backed government Madrid is seeking to put a more “democratic” face on last year’s brutal police crackdown in Catalonia.
UK: Corporations seek to evade responsibility for role in Grenfell Tower fire
By Trevor Johnson, 27 June 2018
The inquiry is revealing how unsafe Grenfell Tower was for human habitation on the night of June 14, 2017, due to the actions of the local council and corporations.
German government crisis: The working class needs its own strategy against anti-refugee agitation, militarism and war
By Johannes Stern, 26 June 2018
The dispute between the CDU and the CSU is over how best to implement the reactionary program of the German grand coalition government in the face of growing popular opposition.
Three months on: Oxford Union refuses to tell truth about why whistleblowing panel debate is censored
By Zach Reed, 26 June 2018
The only explanation for deciding not to publish the video is that ex-CIA operative David Shedd demanded its suppression.
The British UCU Congress and the impossibility of reforming the trade unions
By the Socialist Equality Party (UK), 26 June 2018
Events at the University and College Union prove that the union bureaucracy is unanswerable for its actions and unaccountable to its members.
Italy strands rescue ship Lifeline as EU refugee summit collapses
By Alex Lantier, 25 June 2018
This is only one of the horrors taking place in Mediterranean waters between Italy and Libya, as the EU moves to block refugee flows.
Cross party campaign holds pro-EU march in London
By Robert Stevens, 25 June 2018
The pro-European Union march was presented as a “grassroots” movement to conceal its main agenda of facilitating the interests of powerful sections of big business.
UK: Education unions sabotage struggle against academisation and low pay
By Tom Pearce, 23 June 2018
Despite the rhetoric from union representatives, no fight is being waged against the ongoing privatisation of education.
Podemos: Midwife of Spain’s new PSOE government
By Alejandro López, 22 June 2018
Podemos is an indispensable prop of Spain’s new PSOE government, which is pledged to impose EU austerity on workers and hike military spending.
Outrage in Russia over pension reform
By Clara Weiss, 21 June 2018
Ninety-two percent of the population oppose the government’s plan to raise the retirement age.
Merkel, Macron call for more EU militarism at Meseberg conference
By Alex Lantier, 20 June 2018
Merkel and Macron signed an agreement for a drastic expansion of EU militarism and joint attacks on immigrants together with far-right governments in Italy and Austria.
Labour and unions seek to corral social anger over Grenfell fire behind official inquiry
By Robert Stevens, 20 June 2018
Workers and youth nationally suffer the same devastating austerity, cost-cutting, and deregulation policies, including cuts to local fire services, as those who lived in Grenfell.
UK: Protesters speak at demonstration to mark first anniversary of Grenfell fire
By our reporters, 20 June 2018
Some of those attending the rally marking the first anniversary of the deadly Grenfell Tower fire spoke to reporters from the World Socialist Web Site to express their outrage over the continuing cover-up of the tragedy.
Socialist Equality Party leader Julie Hyland speaks at London vigil to demand freedom for Julian Assange
By our reporters, 20 June 2018
Around 200 people, including workers, youth and retirees, attended a vigil outside the Ecuadorian embassy in London Tuesday evening to demand the freedom of WikiLeaks editor Julian Assange.
Grenfell Fire Forum endorses vigils to demand freedom for Julian Assange
By our reporters, 18 June 2018
The Grenfell Fire Forum met just three days after commemorations to mark the first anniversary of the inferno.
Russian authorities ordered destruction of documents on Stalin’s terror
By Clara Weiss, 18 June 2018
Archival material about people who were kept in the Soviet forced labor camp system and subsequently released has been systematically destroyed, on the basis of a secret decree from February 2014.
SEP (UK) meetings on war and censorship: “War preparations are powered by lies”
By Julie Hyland, 18 June 2018
Socialist Equality Party (UK) Assistant National Secretary Julie Hyland addressed recent public meetings in England, Scotland and Ireland titled “War, lies and censorship: For the building of a socialist anti-war movement.”
One year since the Grenfell inferno
By Statement of the Socialist Equality Party (UK), 14 June 2018
The refusal of the ruling elite to pursue the real criminals guilty of the Grenfell atrocity is in stark contrast to their determination to silence anyone fighting to establish the truth about events.
After G7 summit, Merkel calls for European rearmament
By Johannes Stern, 13 June 2018
German Chancellor Angela Merkel declared that Germany “must promote our principles and values in Europe, potentially in alliance with Canada or Japan”
Germany’s Left Party embraces policies of far-right AfD
By Peter Schwarz, 13 June 2018
The Left Party’s congress, which took place in Leipzig over the weekend, was dominated by a bitter conflict over refugee policy.
The dissolution of ETA: A political balance sheet of Basque nationalism—Part two
By Paul Mitchell and Alejandro López, 13 June 2018
This is the second part of a three-part series on the Basque separatist group ETA (Euskadi Ta Askatasuna—Basque Homeland and Freedom) announcing its dissolution.
Thousands of jobs to go as UK retail chains rationalise operations
By Barry Mason, 13 June 2018
The latest threats to retail jobs come on top of mounting closures and retrenchments in the retail and food industry.
Spanish Socialist Party Prime Minister Sánchez appoints right-wing cabinet
By Alejandro López, 11 June 2018
The makeup of the new cabinet indicates a restructuring of bourgeois politics even further to the right.
Oxford Union debating society threatened with legal action over censoring criticism of CIA
By Thomas Scripps, 7 June 2018
The February 27 event is not being censored on legal grounds or on the basis that “sensitive information” has been revealed, but because it is deemed necessary to suppress critical opposition to the US security apparatus and its activities.
Germany: AfD leader Gauland and the hypocritical response to Nazi rehabilitation
By Ulrich Rippert, 6 June 2018
At the weekend, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) leader Alexander Gauland again took up the right-wing propaganda campaign to gloss over and relativise the crimes of the Nazis.
Extreme-right Italian government takes shape
By Marianne Arens, 6 June 2018
In Italy, the new government of the Lega and the Five Star Movement is due to take power following a final vote of confidence in parliament on Wednesday.
Merkel calls for EU militarism, financial austerity in reply to Macron
By Alex Lantier, 6 June 2018
While Merkel endorsed French calls for militarism and attacks on refugees, she gave little support for Macron’s calls for more investment and guarantees against new debt crises.
UK: Students protest cuts to mental health services and increase in youth suicide rate
By Thomas Scripps, 6 June 2018
As of 2017, one in four adults in the UK each year could expect to suffer some form of mental illness; three quarters of these begin before a person reaches his or her 18th birthday.
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.”
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