European Union
European election: SGP holds its second campaign meeting in Frankfurt-Main
By our correspondents, 20 April 2019
In Frankfurt, SGP Chairman Ulrich Rippert highlighted the importance of the International Committee of the Fourth International and its perspective of a United Socialist States of Europe.
040 SGP candidate interview on German TV
13 April 2019
Six-month Brexit extension resolves nothing for UK
By Robert Stevens, 12 April 2019
At best the European Union have kicked the can down the road, with no guarantees of a resolution.
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
5 April 2019
Gold miners have voted to continue their four-month strike after management rejected a deal proposed by mediators.
British MPs again fail to reach agreement on alternative Brexit motions
By Robert Stevens, 2 April 2019
None of the four non-binding “indicative votes” on an alternative to Prime Minister Theresa May’s negotiated withdrawal agreement for Brexit secured a majority vote by MPs Monday night.
Class struggle and socialism are the only answer to the Brexit crisis
By Chris Marsden, 1 April 2019
The answer to the Brexit crisis is a united mobilization of the millions of workers coming into struggle against Europe’s governments.
“No deal” Brexit threatened after May’s EU withdrawal agreement rejected for third time
By Robert Stevens, 30 March 2019
Labour’s nominally “left” leader Jeremy Corbyn is working to ensure that the gravest peacetime crisis in the history of British imperialism is resolved through the worm-eaten parliamentary system, with the working class left as spectators.
Xi signs strategic EU-China deals amid growing EU-US tensions
By Alex Lantier, 29 March 2019
Rome’s endorsement of China’s Belt and Road Initiative in the face of explicit US disapproval points to deep tensions between US and European imperialism.
Parliament rejects all alternatives as May’s offer to resign fails to stem Brexit crisis
By Robert Stevens, 28 March 2019
May’s pledge to resign is her last card in the attempt to convince the Tories’ hard-Brexit wing and the Democratic Unionist Party to back her European Union withdrawal agreement.
European Union intensifies internet censorship
By Justus Leicht and Johannes Stern, 27 March 2019
Two months before the European elections, the European Parliament has pushed through a directive to enforce the use of so-called upload filters in social media, thus further censoring the internet.
British parliament to make “indicative votes” in an attempt to overcome Brexit impasse
By Robert Stevens, 27 March 2019
MPs may indeed have formally taken control of the next stage of the Brexit crisis, but any positions arrived at in today’s votes are not legally binding on the government.
Answer Brexit with the struggle for socialism throughout Europe!
By the Socialist Equality Party (UK), 23 March 2019
Far from trusting their fate to Merkel, Macron, Juncker and Tusk, those protesting today must ally themselves with the European working class now waging political and social battles against the EU and its member state governments.
European Union leaders grant May extra time to pass Brexit deal in UK parliament
By Robert Stevens, 22 March 2019
The EU has agreed a plan allowing a delay of Brexit to May 22 on condition that UK MPs approve the deal the EU agreed with Prime Minister Theresa May by the previous official exit date of March 29.
Fiction and reality: The Italian Five-Star Movement’s citizen income scheme
By Marianne Arens, 22 March 2019
The “reddito di cittadinanza” (citizen income) is a vanity project of the co-governing Five-Star Movement that will not change Italy’s stark social inequality.
Macron to deploy French army against “yellow vest” protests
By Anthony Torres, 21 March 2019
This is the first time since the 1954–1962 Algerian war that the army is to be mobilized in policing operations on French soil against the population.
Corbyn props up May government after more Brexit vote defeats
By Robert Stevens, 16 March 2019
Ever since May took office as a minority dependent on the DUP, she has headed a government of permanent crisis, with her survival dependent on Labour leader Corbyn’s suppression of the class struggle amid a rising tide of anti-Tory sentiment.
German Left Party backs European Union
By Peter Schwarz, 21 February 2019
In advance of its congress this weekend, the Left Party (Die Linke) has removed all criticism of the European Union from its European election programme.
Brexit divisions lead to intensified discussions on Conservative and Labour Party splits
By Robert Stevens, 16 February 2019
Theresa May suffered a further defeat in Parliament over her Brexit policy, while Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was further undermined by a sizeable rebellion by the party’s Blairite right wing.
European Parliament backs US-led coup in Venezuela
By Alex Lantier and Alejandro Lopez, 2 February 2019
The European powers’ support for a brazen US coup in Latin America underscores that they are no less ruthless in their assertion of their predatory imperialist interests.
Facebook’s censor Nick Clegg outlines plans for European elections
By Robert Stevens, 2 February 2019
Facebook will play a major role in determining what voices Europe’s population are allowed to hear.
Germany and EU support US-engineered coup in Venezuela
By Peter Schwarz, 30 January 2019
Berlin and Brussels are backing the Venezuelan coup because they are pursuing their own imperialist interests in Latin America.
Another 170 immigrants drown in the Mediterranean
By Marianne Arens, 22 January 2019
With the statement “The ports are and will remain closed!” Italian Interior Minister Salvini summed up the EU’s contempt for human rights in its policies towards refugees.
UK: Corbyn endorses second referendum after May stonewalls on her Brexit plan
By Chris Marsden, 22 January 2019
With just 67 days before Brexit is scheduled to take place on March 29, Corbyn has once again folded his hand and united with his right-wing.
Spain: Socialist Party government arrests Catalan activists
By Alejandro López, 22 January 2019
Akin to an anti-terror operation, plainclothes police wearing balaclavas swooped in on the individuals and whisked them away in unmarked cars.
British PM May to reveal “Plan B” as Brexit infighting continues
By Robert Stevens, 21 January 2019
The various options being debated are solely concerned with securing the strategic interests of British imperialism.
Factional warfare hots up after collapse of May’s European Union Brexit deal
By Robert Stevens, 19 January 2019
Led by the Blairite wing of the Labour, Pro-Remain politicians calculated that the decks would now be cleared for them to campaign for a second “People’s Vote” to overturn the 2016 referendum.
Theresa May’s Conservative government survives no-confidence vote
By Robert Stevens and Chris Marsden, 17 January 2019
What should have been a day of reckoning for May turned out to be a humiliating verdict on every capitulation made by Labour leader Corbyn to his party’s right wing since he became leader in September 2015.
UK parliament to vote on Brexit deal today
By Chris Marsden, 15 January 2019
The fight over Brexit revolves around the best means of advancing the interests of British imperialism for control of global markets.
The global crisis of capitalist rule and the strategy of socialist revolution
By Joseph Kishore, 17 December 2018
Whatever the national peculiarities, the political crisis of class rule in every country is driven by the same global processes.
Corbyn, Brexit and the struggle for the United Socialist States of Europe
By Chris Marsden, 17 December 2018
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has cast himself as a guarantor of national stability, denouncing the inability of May and the Conservatives to “end the chaos.”
UK: May staggers on as more than a third of Tory MPs oppose her
By Robert Stevens, 13 December 2018
The vote against her by her hard-Brexit wing, combined with the loss of support from the 10 Democratic Unionist Party MPs, confirms that May’s days are numbered.
Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Tymoshenko tours Washington to garner support for presidential bid
By Jason Melanovski and Clara Weiss, 11 December 2018
The ultimate goal of Tymoshenko’s visit to Washington was to promise to continue with the United States’ militarization of the country and the Black Sea.
Parliamentary debate on Brexit deal begins after three defeats for May government
By Robert Stevens, 6 December 2018
Whatever happens in the Brexit crisis, Britain is in the grip of a historic crisis of rule that threatens to unleash social upheavals.
Hackers reveal British government’s interference in Spanish politics
By Alejandro López, 6 December 2018
Pitched as a defense of democracy against “misinformation,” the Integrity Initiative does the opposite, spreading fake news against Russia to defend the interests of the UK and its imperialist allies.
France's “yellow vest” protests expose Jean-Luc Mélenchon's pro-capitalist populism
By Alex Lantier, 6 December 2018
Jean-Luc Mélenchon's attack on socialism and his proclamation of the political irrelevance of the working class reflect his hostility to growing social anger among workers.
Third “yellow vest” protest in France defies government crackdown
By Anthony Torres, 3 December 2018
As protests spread across Europe, after the most violent police crackdown in downtown Paris in a half century, a historic political crisis is erupting.
Bank of England warns “no-deal” Brexit would be worse than 2008 crash
Labour pledges to rescue British capitalism
By Robert Stevens, 3 December 2018
The "worst case" scenario presumes there would be custom checks on the UK’s border for goods, with the UK unable to reach new trade deals with the EU or other countries until 2023.
French riot police assault mass protests in Paris
By Alex Lantier, 26 November 2018
The French Interior Ministry claimed that 106,000 people participated in over a thousand protests across France, including 8,000 demonstrators on the Champs-Elysées in Paris.
EU summit backs Brexit withdrawal declaration
By Peter Schwarz, 26 November 2018
The 26-page political declaration, which has no legal force, outlines future relations in trade, fisheries, travel, security and financial services.
No to the draft in France and Europe!
By Parti de l’égalité socialiste, 23 November 2018
Faced with plans to reintroduce military service across Europe, the decisive question is the construction of an anti-war movement in the international working class.
British prime minister tries to minimise cabinet rebellion against draft Brexit agreement
By Robert Stevens, 14 November 2018
So acute is the crisis facing May’s government that sections of the ruling class and the state apparatus are factoring in the possibility that a general election might be unavoidable, and that a Corbyn government is becoming a distinct possibility.
EU responds to US midterm elections with calls for military build-up
By Alex Lantier, 8 November 2018
European ruling circles have concluded that US-European conflicts reflect a deeper crisis than they first believed.
European Union and Rome fight over Italian budget
By Marianne Arens, 20 October 2018
In the conflict over the Italian budget, the EU Commission takes the side of the banks, stock exchanges and credit agencies, while the government pursues a course of militarism and attacks on immigrants and workers.
EU summit marked by Brexit threats and ultimatums
By Chris Marsden, 22 September 2018
Theresa May's address was met with silence and her implied threats were stonewalled, as the main players within the EU combined the next day to declare her proposals to be “unworkable.”
The German army’s new policy doctrine: Preparing for World War III
By Johannes Stern, 28 August 2018
The grand coalition and the entire German ruling elite are planning the massive rearmament of the army in preparation for major military operations.
As Greece exits bailout, EU demands further austerity
By Robert Stevens, 21 August 2018
The conclusion of the bailout is a vote of confidence from financial markets that the pseudo-left Syriza government will continue looting the people to pay off the banks.
German government launches camp system for refugees
By Christoph Vandreier, 2 August 2018
With the inhumane camp system, the coalition government of Christian Democrats and Social Democrats is implementing the refugee policy of the far-right Alternative for Germany.
The Trump-Juncker agreement: A manoeuvre in the global trade war
By Nick Beams, 26 July 2018
The threat by Washington to impose a 25 percent tariff on auto imports has not been removed, but only suspended while negotiations go ahead on broader trade relations.
EU and Japan sign trade deal
By Nick Beams, 19 July 2018
The deal was five years in the making but the impetus to have it finalised was increased by the US trade war measures that have targeted both parties.
Concerted efforts to save May’s government and the chance of a “soft Brexit”
By Chris Marsden, 11 July 2018
US President Trump has made no secret of his hostility to the EU and desire to weaken what he considers a rival trade bloc, including by supporting Brexit and imposing sanctions.
UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson resigns to prepare possible Conservative leadership challenge
By Chris Marsden, 10 July 2018
Unlike David Davis, who stressed that he remained loyal to Theresa May, Johnson quit in a manner designed to inflict maximum damage to the prime minister.
Allies no more: Trump escalates threats against Europe
By Andre Damon, 10 July 2018
This week’s NATO summit, planned as a showcase of European rearmament, has been overshadowed by increasingly unbridgeable divisions between the US and Europe.
Social Democrats back conservative parties’ plan for concentration camps in Germany
By Johannes Stern, 4 July 2018
Leading SPD politicians have welcomed the reactionary agreement by conservative parties for concentration camps for refugees.
More than 200 people drown in the Mediterranean at the weekend
By Marianne Arens, 4 July 2018
Since the beginning of this year, the number of people drowning while attempting to enter Europe has risen to over a thousand.
European defence ministers sign on to European Intervention Initiative
By Peter Schwarz, 3 July 2018
The initiative aims to enable European powers to intervene militarily and wage wars with a “coalition of the willing.”
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.
European Union adopts far-right refugee policy
By Johannes Stern, 30 June 2018
Hundreds of people fleeing poverty and war have drowned in the Mediterranean over the past week as a result of the EU’s reactionary crackdown on refugees.
Europe’s unions pledge unity with big business as trade war escalates
By Robert Stevens, 30 June 2018
While framed around Brexit, the underlying impulse of the joint statement between the union federations and business groups is the developing trade war between the United States and the European Union.
EU backs anti-immigrant deal after Italy threatens to torpedo Brussels summit
By Alex Lantier, 29 June 2018
The EU has largely adopted the anti-refugee positions of far-right regimes in Italy, Austria and several Eastern European countries.
Ahead of Brussels summit, EU steps up attacks on refugees
By Alex Lantier, 28 June 2018
As the European Union opens a two-day summit in Brussels today, it is launching a fascistic assault on refugees ultimately aimed at the entire working class.
EU citizens must register, carry ID cards, in post-Brexit Britain
By Steve James, 27 June 2018
As the Home Office scheme currently stands, EU citizens will be required to carry identity cards, which have never been enforced in Britain.
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.
Britain’s Tory government offers concession to pro-EU MPs to advance Brexit bill
By Robert Stevens, 21 June 2018
With the May government beholden to its pro-Brexit wing, there is a stepped-up effort to use Labour as the political vehicle for preventing Britain’s exit from the European Union.
Thousands protest against Italian government’s closure of ports for refugee ships
By Marianne Arens, 19 June 2018
The unspeakable tragedy playing out in the Mediterranean will only be made worse by the new restrictions on rescue ships.
Italian government turns away ship with 629 refugees aboard
By Marianne Arens, 12 June 2018
A decree by the new right-wing Italian government has prevented a ship with more than 600 refugees from landing in Italy. It is the result of the entire EU refugee policy.
Brexit constitutional stand-off reaches UK Supreme Court
By Steve James, 9 June 2018
The escalation of tensions risks becoming a conflict not only between England, Scotland and Wales, but between London and Brussels.
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.
Conflicts intensify between Europe and US
By Peter Schwarz, 25 May 2018
The German foreign minister, who was in Washington for an inaugural visit on Wednesday, was rebuffed on every controversial issue.
EU summit: Anger over Trump hides European tensions
By Peter Schwarz, 19 May 2018
The US imposition of punitive tariffs on steel and aluminium, and the withdrawal from the Iranian nuclear agreement, are regarded by the European powers as a major blow.
German Chancellor Merkel announces major rearmament program
By Christoph Vandreier, 17 May 2018
Facing a deepening conflict with the United States, Berlin is seeking to use its armed forces to pursue its geo-strategic interests around the world.
European Union tries to salvage Iran nuclear accord from US unilateralism
By Jean Shaoul, 17 May 2018
The European powers are furious because Trump’s threats cut across their attempts to exploit Iran economically and fear sanctions presage a war that will destabilise the Middle East
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.
UK: May government declares against customs union as Brexit crisis intensifies
By Robert Stevens, 25 April 2018
Support for the customs union from a sizable cross-party faction is a stalking horse aimed at ensuring the UK remains in the Single Market and possibly reversing Brexit entirely.
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.
Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont released from German prison
By Ulrich Rippert, 7 April 2018
Puigdemont may not leave Germany until further notice, had to post bail of €75,000 and must report weekly to the police.
German state prosecutor calls for extradition of former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont
By Ulrich Rippert, 4 April 2018
With this decision, the state prosecutor in Schleswig-Holstein is giving its backing to the Spanish government and adopting Madrid’s arguments.
Spanish parties unite to demand repression against Catalan nationalists
By Alejandro López and Paul Mitchell, 4 April 2018
The Catalan crisis is being used to criminalise all political and social opposition under conditions of intensification of the class struggle.
Spanish judiciary accuses former Catalan President Puigdemont of “mobilising the masses”
By Peter Schwarz, 30 March 2018
If the German government extradites Puigdemont to Spain, it will set a precedent for the suppression of all forms of protest and opposition.
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.
Russian diplomats expelled over allegations of poisoning of ex-spy in UK
By Bill Van Auken, 27 March 2018
The mass expulsion of Russian diplomats from the US, 14 EU countries, Canada and Ukraine marks a coordinated campaign to pave the way to war.
The arrest of Catalan President Carles Puigdemont: Another step toward a police state in Europe
By Peter Schwarz, 27 March 2018
The Europe-wide police-state structures, which emerged under the pretext of combatting terrorism and cracking down on refugees, are now being deployed against political opponents.
Germany and UK collude with Spanish extradition warrants against Catalan leaders Puigdemont and Ponsatí
By Steve James and Paul Mitchell, 27 March 2018
Puigdemont is expected to be detained in Germany for two to three months before a final decision is made on his extradition to Spain.
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.
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.
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.
France’s fascist National Front congress sets out “to take power”
By Francis Dubois, 12 March 2018
The weekend congress of the National Front set out to deepen the neo-fascist party’s integration into official politics in France and internationally.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
Draft EU Brexit agreement deepens divisions over Northern Ireland
By Steve James, 2 March 2018
The European powers’ draft, put together in consultation with the Irish government, is an aggressive response to British maneuvers.
Greek rent subsidy scandal forces resignation of two Syriza ministers
By Alex Lantier, 28 February 2018
The wealthy couple had a yearly income of over $500,000 but claimed €23,000 in rent subsidies for an apartment in Athens’ upscale Kolonaki area that they in fact owned.
Informal EU summit steps up Middle East war threats, attacks on migrants
By Alex Lantier, 24 February 2018
The summit featured threats against Syria and plans to intensify the neocolonial war led by France in Mali.
Reject German coalition pact! Make public all secret agreements!
Statement of the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei, 10 February 2018
The Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party) demands the publication of all secret protocols and lists of participants in the coalition talks, which have laid the basis for the coming to power of the most right-wing government since the downfall of the Nazis.
German, French parliaments prepare new alliance, 55 years after Elysée treaty
By Alex Lantier, 25 January 2018
The resolution commits Berlin and Paris to a major arms build-up and deep austerity to enable them to carry out military operations independent of Washington.
European Union threatens to impose sanctions on Poland
By Clara Weiss, 27 December 2017
The conflict between Brussels and Warsaw is an expression of the ongoing breakup of the European Union.
EU summit agrees talks will move forward, but Brexit crisis continues
By Chris Marsden, 16 December 2017
Guidelines issued for the UK on Brexit stipulate that it must adopt all new European Union laws created during the transition period, while being excluded from any decision-making role.
Amnesty International report exposes EU role in mass torture of refugees in Libya
By Alex Lantier, 13 December 2017
The EU is helping build and equip a vast network of prison camps in which refugees are arbitrarily detained, beaten, tortured, sold into slavery and murdered.
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