The European Union
Australian pseudo-left hails Syriza’s fraudulent referendum in Greece
By Oliver Campbell, 4 July 2015
Socialist Alternative’s promotion of the Greek referendum is an attempt to prevent the working class drawing any lessons from its experiences with the Syriza government.
Syriza’s fraudulent capital controls
By Nick Beams, 30 June 2015
Billions of euros have been taken out of Greece by wealthy individuals and corporations in order to make a financial killing if the country goes back to the drachma.
Greek collapse, global turbulence loom as Syriza imposes capital controls
By Robert Stevens, 29 June 2015
The decision followed Sunday’s announcement by the European Central Bank that it would not increase its emergency funding for Greek banks.
Greek crisis comes to a head
By Alex Lantier, 29 June 2015
The decision of European financial authorities to terminate the bailout of Greece and limit the flow of credit to banks has brought the country to the brink of an economic and financial meltdown.
Greek prime minister calls for referendum on EU austerity demands
By Robert Stevens and Alex Lantier, 27 June 2015
Tsipras’s proposal is a reactionary fraud, designed to lend a veneer of democratic legitimacy to the looting of Greece by the banks.
EU summit strengthens brutal refugee policy
By Martin Kreikenbaum, 27 June 2015
Deportations are to be more effectively organized and special camps created in which asylum proceedings will be fast-tracked under the supervision of EU authorities.
Political issues in the Greek debt crisis
By Alex Lantier, 26 June 2015
Having built its entire policy around denying the possibility of socialist revolution, Syriza is proposing ever deeper attacks on the working class under the EU’s direction.
EU begins military intervention in Mediterranean
By Martin Kreickenbaum, 25 June 2015
The military operation will use military force against refugee boats, particularly in Libya, and involves a massive expansion of intelligence and police powers.
After Syriza’s concessions, EU demands more austerity at Greek debt summit
By Alex Lantier, 23 June 2015
While approving Syriza’s capitulation to its demands for deep cuts in pensions and health care, the EU called for further austerity measures as a precondition for a deal on Greek debt.
Syriza offers last-ditch concessions prior to EU summit on Greek debt
By Robert Stevens, 22 June 2015
Greek Prime Minister Tsipras heads to the summit under the threat of a deliberately imposed economic catastrophe and expulsion from the eurozone.
European Central Bank extends credit on fears of Greek bank collapse
By Robert Stevens, 20 June 2015
The brinksmanship of the EU and ECB threatens not only the decimation of the Greek economy, but a potential domino effect that could impact on the entire European economy.
Belgian and French authorities move to seize Russian assets
By Andrea Peters, 20 June 2015
Implementing a ruling handed down by the Hague, law enforcement officials are working to seize billions of dollars of Russian assets in Europe and around the world.
European Union extends economic sanctions against Russia
By Alex Lantier, 19 June 2015
The sanctions are part of a broad drive by the NATO powers to isolate Russia, threatening it with bankruptcy and war, in order to reduce it to a semi-colonial status.
EU threatens to push Greece into bankruptcy after collapse of debt talks
By Alex Lantier, 17 June 2015
Even as he denounced the EU, Greek Prime Minister Tsipras signaled that he is still seeking a deal on the basis of imposing more austerity on the Greek population.
The dictatorship of finance capital: Greece and Ukraine
By Alex Lantier, 13 June 2015
Behind the apparent contradiction in the treatment of Greece and Ukraine stand the reactionary class interests of finance capital in the leading imperialist powers.
IMF and ECB walk out of Greek debt talks with Syriza
By Robert Stevens, 13 June 2015
The talks centre on new austerity measures to be carried out by Syriza.
Germany, France and Italy to build military drone
By Denis Krasnin, 6 June 2015
The European powers, above all Germany, intend to use their own drone program to increase their independence from Israeli and US production.
In Brussels talks, Greece moves closer to austerity deal with EU
By Robert Stevens and Alex Lantier, 4 June 2015
The Syriza-led government is trying to work out the details of its capitulation to the austerity program demanded by the European Union and the banks.
European leaders dictate terms for Greece
By Nick Beams, 3 June 2015
German chancellor Angela Merkel convened a meeting in Berlin late Monday that laid out the demands of Greece’s creditors.
Syriza’s Tsipras outlines concessions programme as Greece faces debt default
By Robert Stevens, 2 June 2015
Syriza has claimed that it was possible to reach an amicable, negotiated settlement with the troika over Greece’s debt, based on Athens remaining in the euro zone.
European Union squabbles over refugee quotas
By Martin Kreickenbaum, 30 May 2015
While military intervention on the coast of Libya to destroy refugee boats is welcomed by all member states, the question of accepting refugees has unleashed a fierce dispute.
UK Prime Minister Cameron tours Europe lobbying for EU reforms
By Chris Marsden, 30 May 2015
Cameron received a fairly hostile reception in France, a country occupying a special position of enmity for the Tory right and the UK Independence Party.
Riga talks fail to produce Greek loan deal
By Robert Stevens, 25 May 2015
German Chancellor Angela Merkel ruled out any immediate agreement, saying one was only achievable as a result of a joint deal between the so-called “troika.”
Moves for a “left alliance” government accelerate in Portugal
By Paul Mitchell, 25 May 2015
With the Socialist Party unable to significantly capitalize on the disaffection with the government, smaller pseudo-left parties could hold the balance of power.
EU approves military operation against Mediterranean refugees
By Johannes Stern, 21 May 2015
On Monday, EU foreign and defence ministers agreed to plans for a military intervention against refugees in the Mediterranean and North Africa.
Syriza government endorses “war on terror” to divert opposition to austerity
By Kumaran Ira, 9 May 2015
Fearing mass opposition to its unpopular austerity measures, Greece’s Syriza-led government is endorsing imperialist wars to divert rising social tensions.
Anger mounts among Greek retirees as Syriza threatens to withhold pensions
By Kumaran Ira, 2 May 2015
The Syriza government delayed pension payments while continuing to repay the banks.
European Union steps up repressive measures against refugees
By Martin Kreickenbaum, 2 May 2015
The EU’s militarized anti-refugee measures do not stop at the Libyan coast, but are being extended to Tunisia, Egypt, Sudan, Mali and Niger.
The lessons of the capitulation of Syriza
By Christoph Dreier, 1 May 2015
Three months after taking power, Syriza has become the key instrument for continuing the implementation of social cuts.
Greece’s Syriza government signals pension cuts
By Christoph Dreier, 25 April 2015
The elimination of early retirement benefits, which Syriza previously declared a “red line” that would not be crossed, is one of the central demands of the troika.
EU steps up police and military operations against refugees after special summit
By Johannes Stern, 24 April 2015
The special summit of the European Union yesterday in Brussels was dedicated to the construction of “Fortress Europe” and the efforts of the European powers to recolonize Africa.
The refugee crisis and the new “scramble for Africa”
By Johannes Stern, 23 April 2015
The European powers are seizing on the mass drownings in the Mediterranean to further their plans for the recolonization of Africa.
The pseudo-left and the Libyan catastrophe
By Bill Van Auken, 21 April 2015
The pseudo-left organizations that served as cheerleaders for imperialist intervention in North Africa and the Middle East share responsibility for the latest disaster.
European Union plans more aggressive measures against refugees
By Johannes Stern, 21 April 2015
The European powers are preparing to exploit the mass deaths in the Mediterranean to intervene militarily once again in the geostrategically important and resource-rich region.
Syriza dispatches police to clear protesters from Athens university
By Christoph Dreier, 18 April 2015
With this action, the Syriza-led government has signalled its readiness to use state repression against opponents of its austerity measures.
European Union, banks ramp up pressure on Greece’s Syriza government
By Stéphane Hugues, 17 April 2015
The Syriza government is responding to EU demands for austerity by looting Greece’s cash reserves and preparing further austerity measures against the working class.
Why is Syriza demanding reparations from Germany?
By Peter Schwarz, 14 April 2015
Demands for reparations are an inappropriate means of combating fascism, war and social attacks. They do nothing to address their causes, but rather serve to reproduce them.
Greece’s Tsipras manoeuvres with Russia in bid to strike better bargain with Europe
By Robert Stevens, 9 April 2015
The moves towards Russia are seen by sections of the Greek bourgeoisie as a bargaining chip in their ongoing negotiations with the European powers over Greece's debts.
Greece verges on default as creditors demand deeper austerity cuts
By Robert Stevens, 2 April 2015
Greece’s international creditors are set to reject a new set of austerity proposals from the government of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras as insufficient.
New defeat for Socialist Party in second round of French local elections
By Alex Lantier, 30 March 2015
The right-wing Union for a Popular Movement swept up to 70 of France’s 101 departments, as voters punished the Socialist Party for its attacks on jobs and wages.
Syriza government submits new list of austerity proposals to Greece’s creditors
By Robert Stevens, 28 March 2015
It is not certain that Syriza’s measures will go far enough to satisfy creditors demanding deeper cuts in workers’ living standards.
Syriza leader Tsipras meets with Left Party leaders in Berlin
By Johannes Stern, 26 March 2015
The Left Party is firmly backing Tsipras precisely at the point when he is uncritically accepting the line of the German government and the austerity policy of the European banks.
Tsipras in Berlin: Germany and Greece pledge “cooperation” in imposing austerity
By Johannes Stern, 24 March 2015
Syriza has completely capitulated to the demands of the European banks, making clear that it will not only continue the austerity measures dictated by the “troika,” but will intensify them.
Syriza promises new austerity list as European institutions intensify pressure on Greece
By Robert Stevens, 20 March 2015
In advance of an EU summit, the political representatives of the European banks insisted that Greece must impose austerity measures or risk being cut off from further loans.
Attack on democratic rights in Germany follows Blockupy protest
By Christoph Dreier, 20 March 2015
The German media and politicians have responded to the Blockupy protests against the ECB on Wednesday by denouncing the protesters and demanding restrictions on the freedom of assembly.
Greek Finance Minister Varoufakis prostrates himself on German talk show
By Christoph Dreier, 18 March 2015
The appearance of the Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis on the Günther Jauch talk show was a pathetic spectacle that symbolized the bankruptcy of Syriza.
Troika enforcers return to Athens to step up looting of Greece
By Robert Stevens, 13 March 2015
The European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund are finalizing new austerity measures in co-operation with the Syriza government.
Greece and the dictatorship of finance capital
By Nick Beams, 11 March 2015
Remarks on the Greek debt crisis by the head of the Belgian central bank, Luc Coene, expose the fictions of parliamentary democracy.
Greece told deeper austerity needed to secure additional loans
By Robert Stevens, 10 March 2015
Demanding that the Syriza-led government carry out further austerity, an ECB board member said the Greek people “will understand quickly that they were deceived by false promises.”
European Union press Syriza to deepen its austerity program for Greece
By Robert Stevens, 7 March 2015
European Union officials are insisting that until Syriza imposes deep austerity measures, it will not receive another cent in loans.
Greek debt crisis sharpens geostrategic tensions between US, Europe, Russia
By John Vasilopoulos, 6 March 2015
Voices in the Western media have expressed concern that a Greek default could undermine the integrity of NATO in the strategically vital eastern Mediterranean.
French Socialist Party government announces new round of free-market reforms
By Kumaran Ira, 4 March 2015
After pushing through the Macron Law on deregulation, the PS government is preparing a further round of sweeping austerity measures and structural reforms.
German parliament endorses Syriza’s proposed austerity measures
By Robert Stevens, 28 February 2015
The Left Party and the Green Party backed a new round of austerity in Greece in the vote in Germany’s Bundestag.
German television documentary on the troika and Greece
By Christoph Dreier, 28 February 2015
While the film shows how the troika engineered a social catastrophe, it promotes the policies of Syriza and other bourgeois critics who support the EU austerity program.
Syriza’s parliamentary group supports Greek austerity agreement
By Robert Stevens, 27 February 2015
The vote comes amidst a developing crisis within Syriza’s ranks over the implications of the party’s repudiation of its election manifesto.
Stock markets rise after Greece signs new austerity agreement
By Robert Stevens, 24 February 2015
The financial aristocracy celebrated the Syriza government’s abject capitulation to the European Union’s demands for renewed austerity.
The capitulation of Syriza and the lessons for the working class
By the International Committee of the Fourth International, 23 February 2015
It has taken less than one month for the Syriza government in Greece to repudiate its anti-austerity election program and betray, totally and utterly, the impoverished working people whose votes placed it in power.
Syriza capitulates to the EU
By Robert Stevens, 21 February 2015
Tsipras and Varoufakis have agreed to enforce the EU-dictated austerity program, exposing—within weeks of forming a government—the fraudulent and reactionary character of Syriza.
Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis’ mission to save capitalism
By Chris Marsden, 21 February 2015
Varoufakis’ essay on becoming an “erratic Marxist” is a damning exposure of the political role of the new Syriza-led government in Greece and the social layer that it represents.
Schäuble’s arrogance towards Greece and the class divide in Germany
By Peter Schwarz, 21 February 2015
Schäuble's arrogant attack on Greece is primarily directed at opposition to austerity in the working class in Germany and across Europe.
German finance minister demands unconditional surrender from Greece
By Christoph Dreier, 20 February 2015
As it negotiates the terms of surrender, Syriza is not being allowed even the mildest concessions needed to maintain some small degree of political credibility.
Germany and EU look set to reject Greece’s request for six-month loan extension
By Robert Stevens, 19 February 2015
German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble denounced a new Greek proposal for a six-month loan extension and demanded further austerity measures.
A revealing Financial Times comment on the Greek debt crisis
By Nick Beams, 16 February 2015
Financial Times columnist advises Syriza-led government to stand firm in “high noon” showdown with euro zone finance ministers.
Pseudo-left embrace Syriza’s alliance with the Independent Greeks
By Chris Marsden, 16 February 2015
Various pseudo-left groups have moved from providing political apologies for Syriza’s coalition with the Independent Greeks to fully embracing the alliance as a model to be emulated
Fresh talks begin on forcing Greece to accept austerity package
By Robert Stevens, 14 February 2015
Since it was elected on January 25 on an anti-austerity ticket, Syriza has made one concession after another, including ditching pre-election pledges to write off a large part of the debt.
Greece’s Syriza government pledges to serve the EU
By Christoph Dreier, 13 February 2015
In the talks with the EU, the Syriza government is preparing to implement new austerity measures and "respect the European rules."
IMF announces new $17 billion loan agreement for Ukraine
By Niles Williamson, 13 February 2015
The latest multi-billion dollar loan agreement is a prelude to further attacks on the living standards of the working class throughout Ukraine.
Talks on Greek bailout terms break down
By Robert Stevens, 12 February 2015
The talks in Brussels on Greek bailout terms failed to reach agreement even on a statement of principles as to how discussions should proceed.
Syriza prepares to make a deal with the EU
By Christoph Dreier, 11 February 2015
The Greek government has announced a ten-point program that retains large parts of the previous government’s austerity program.
Meeting in Moscow fails to produce agreement as US plots escalation in Ukraine
By Niles Williamson, 7 February 2015
The meeting between Merkel, Hollande and Putin took place amidst threats by the US to directly arm the regime in Kiev that was installed in a right-wing coup one year ago.
Europe on the brink of war
By Alex Lantier, 7 February 2015
“Unfortunately, war with Russia is conceivable,” former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung at the Munich Security Conference.
German chancellor seeks to push Hungary away from Russia
By Markus Salzmann, 7 February 2015
The Hungarian prime minister has criticised Western sanctions against Russia, declaring they would “harm us more than Russia.”
Syriza capitulates to the European Union
By Peter Schwarz, 7 February 2015
Syriza leaders are traveling across Europe to assure governments they can rely on the party to push through “deep reforms."
NATO doubles combat forces in Eastern Europe
By Johannes Stern, 6 February 2015
The imperialist powers are massing their troops to compel Russia to make concessions and subordinate itself to their interests in Eastern Europe and Asia.
Germany demands Greek austerity as Syriza pledges “frenzy of reasonableness”
By Robert Stevens, 6 February 2015
At a press conference with his German counterpart, Greece’s new finance minister pleaded with the European powers to “use us to implement the European programme.”
Tsipras rushes to reassure EU, banks on Greek debt
By Robert Stevens, 2 February 2015
If Greece fails to reach an agreement with its creditors on €3.5 billion due in February and March, funding could be withdrawn from its banks.
The class character of Syriza revealed
By Robert Stevens, 30 January 2015
The bourgeois character of the new Greek government is exposed first of all in Syriza’s political alliance with the Independent Greeks, a right-wing nationalist party.
EU foreign ministers toughen sanctions against Russia
By Johannes Stern, 30 January 2015
In the first foreign policy action of the new Syriza government, Greece agreed to new measures to step up the US-EU economic war against Moscow.
Syriza wins Greek elections
By Alex Lantier, 26 January 2015
While the election result reflects broad popular opposition to austerity in Greece and across Europe, Syriza is committed to the EU, the euro and the defense of capitalism.
On-the-spot coverage from Greece
Greek students describe social crisis facing youth
By our reporters, 26 January 2015
The economic crisis has forced hundreds of thousands of Greek workers and young people to leave the country in search of jobs and better prospects.
The election in Greece and the political tasks of the working class
By Peter Schwarz, 24 January 2015
Despite its left-wing facade, Syriza is a bourgeois party that rests on affluent layers of the middle class.
Financial markets celebrate European Central Bank launch of €1 trillion quantitative easing program
By Nick Beams, 23 January 2015
The measure will have little or no impact on the real economy. Rather, it is aimed at making available further supplies of ultra-cheap cash for financial speculation.
Unemployed Greek workers face desperate situation
By our reporters, 23 January 2015
Mass unemployment has been a permanent feature of Greek life since the imposition of austerity measures in 2010.
EU foreign ministers discuss attacks on democratic rights, provocations against Russia
By Julie Hyland, 22 January 2015
The meeting underscored the inseparable link between imperialist militarism in the Middle East, war preparations against Russia, and the drive to dictatorship.
European Central Bank appears set to introduce quantitative easing
By Nick Beams, 21 January 2015
European stock markets rose to seven-year highs this week in anticipation that the ECB will decide tomorrow to start purchasing sovereign bonds.
Arrests follow terror raids across Europe
By Chris Marsden, 17 January 2015
Governments throughout Europe have lost no time in using anti-terror police raids in Belgium, France and Germany to whip up a climate of fear and justify demands for further repressive measures.
Financial markets rocked by decision to abandon ceiling on Swiss franc
By Nick Beams, 16 January 2015
The decision by Swiss authorities to end the franc’s fixed relationship to the euro has led to one of the most rapid currency appreciations in history.
SYRIZA’s “anti-oligarch” policy: A call to global finance to raid Greece
By Robert Stevens, 16 January 2015
The Financial Times is trumpeting SYRIZA’s policy because it offers rich pickings for the global financial oligarchy
European powers implement police state measures in wake of Charlie Hebdo attack
By Ulrich Rippert, 14 January 2015
Governments throughout Europe are exploiting the shock and confusion generated by the assault on Charlie Hebdo to push through policies that have long been prepared.
Euro zone officially tips into deflation
By Stefan Steinberg, 9 January 2015
More than six years since the 2008 financial crash, Europe is beset by economic stagnation.
Tsipras urges Greek pseudo-left groups to rally behind SYRIZA
By Robert Stevens, 8 January 2015
SYRIZA is asking the pseudo-left outfits to join a government dedicated to the defence of capitalism.
German government threatens to force Greece out of euro zone
By Johannes Stern, 6 January 2015
German leaders are threatening Greece with an exit from the euro zone if the new government does not uphold the agreements reached with the European Union.
SYRIZA’s programme for the rescue of Greek and European capitalism
By Robert Stevens, 6 January 2015
SYRIZA’s programme has been developed in the course of intense discussions with leading political representatives of the international financial elite.
Sharp market falls over euro and oil price slump
By Nick Beams, 6 January 2015
The main factor in the fall in US markets appears to have been the further sharp decline in oil prices.
Lithuania adopts the euro
By Markus Salzmann, 5 January 2015
Lithuania is the third and last Baltic state to introduce the euro.
European Central Bank president’s interview sends euro to four-year low
By Nick Beams, 3 January 2015
ECB President Mario Draghi has taken another step to full quantitative easing amid increasing deflationary pressures.
Two dead, dozens injured in three separate attacks in France
By Kanda Gabriel and Kumaran Ira, 31 December 2014
The three attacks prior to Christmas have been used to stoke fears of Islamist attacks in retaliation for French involvement in wars in the Middle East and Africa.
As Greek government collapses, Berlin demands more austerity
By Christoph Dreier, 30 December 2014
German political and business figures responded aggressively to the failure to elect a Greek president, making clear they will give no ground on austerity policies.
Corporations reached secret deals with Luxembourg to avoid tax payments
By Jean Shaoul, 22 December 2014
The tax deals deprived tax revenue to governments around the world, all of which now claim that public services are unaffordable.
The European powers and CIA torture
By Chris Marsden, 20 December 2014
The European powers have issued only pro-forma and self-serving statements on the US Senate report into torture and extraordinary rendition by the US and its allies.
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