Europe
Spanish government falls amid Catalan crisis
By Alejandro López, 16 February 2019
The major parties are set to run the most right-wing election campaign in Spain since the 1978 Transition to parliamentary rule, under cover of opposing Catalan separatism.
Germany: Public transport strike paralyzes Berlin
By our reporters, 16 February 2019
For much of Friday, all subways and trams in the capital stood still and most buses remained in their depots.
Nationwide public sector strike hits Portugal
By Will Morrow, 16 February 2019
Leading union officials have issued warnings to the government that its actions could trigger “uncontrollable” struggles by workers that they cannot prevent.
Munich Security Conference
German defence minister advocates German-European war policy
By Johannes Stern, 16 February 2019
Almost 75 years after the end of World War II, the imperialist powers are openly preparing for a new round of military conflicts.
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.
A reply to Britain’s Community Security Trust
By Chris Marsden, 16 February 2019
The following is a reply by Socialist Equality Party (UK) national secretary Chris Marsden to Mark Gardner, deputy chief executive & communications director at the pro-Zionist Community Security Trust.
Tens of thousands strike in Berlin against poor working conditions
By our reporters, 14 February 2019
Tens of thousands of public sector workers took part in a one-day strike in Berlin on Wednesday. More than 10,000 people marched to the Brandenburg Gate.
One-day national strike paralyzes Belgium
By Will Morrow, 14 February 2019
Large parts of Belgium were brought to a standstill yesterday, as tens of thousands of workers took part in a national 24-hour strike to demand wage increases.
Italy: Mass demonstration in Rome against right-wing government
By Marianne Arens, 14 February 2019
The march was supported by workers, retirees and school students who want to fight the government’s right-wing policies. But the union leaders, Democratic Party representatives and pseudo-left politicians lent the rally a pro-business orientation.
“Turning Point UK:” A far-right offensive on British campuses
By Thomas Scripps, 14 February 2019
A check of its leading personnel exposes TPUK as a top-down operation of the Tory right, with the substantial backing of Turning Point’s US-based parent organisation and its fascistic supporters.
New study reveals more details on deadly flammable cladding used on Grenfell Tower
By Alice Summers, 14 February 2019
The study showed that ACM cladding is 55 times more flammable than the least flammable panels, with the PIR insulation used behind it at Grenfell Tower giving off smoke that was 15 times more toxic than the less flammable alternatives.
The show trial of the Catalan nationalists and the far-right danger in Spain
By Alex Lantier, 14 February 2019
In line with official politics across Europe, the ruling class in Spain is moving to build a police state and defending the legacy of 20th century fascism.
National 24-hour strike goes forward in Belgium
By Will Morrow, 13 February 2019
As strikes and protests grow across Europe, anger is mounting among Belgian workers at low wages enforced by state-run talks between business and the unions.
Germany: Social Democrats modernise austerity
By Peter Schwarz, 13 February 2019
The SPD passed the “Hartz IV” laws 14 years ago, implementing welfare “reforms” and laying the foundations for a huge low-pay sector and widespread poverty.
British government’s “Project After” plan for post-Brexit economic crisis
By Steve James, 13 February 2019
The Financial Times reported on a secret economic planning group in the British government, tasked with planning for a deep post Brexit economic crisis.
British troops given free hand to shoot civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan
By Jean Shaoul, 13 February 2019
One soldier stationed in southern Iraq claimed he and fellow troops were told they were allowed to shoot anyone who acted suspiciously.
UK: Anti-Semitism witch-hunt provokes backlash in Labour Party
By Robert Stevens, 12 February 2019
The opposition of Corbyn et al. to all attempts to expel the Labour right has once again handed the initiative to the Blairites, despite Labour’s membership in overwhelming numbers hating everything they say and do.
UK rail workers demand reinstatement of conductor sacked for opposing Driver Only Operated trains
By our reporter, 11 February 2019
The SEP and the WSWS warn rail workers that the RMT bureaucracy cannot be trusted to defend the victimised worker, any more than they can to oppose the introduction of Driver Only Operated trains.
The CGT’s “national strike”: French unions seek to strangle the “yellow vest” protests
By our reporters, 9 February 2019
For the unions, the day of action was an opportunity for its base of officials and bureaucrats to meet with “yellow vest” protesters and seek to gain control of their movement.
German workers support rally against mass layoffs in Detroit
By our reporters, 9 February 2019
The WSWS received these messages of support for the February 9 demonstration from bus drivers, auto workers, and a tram mechanic.
Washington issues ultimatum to Venezuela over “humanitarian aid” ploy
By Bill Van Auken, 7 February 2019
Behind the cynical pretense of concern over Venezuela’s social crisis, the Pentagon and CIA are setting the stage for an armed confrontation on the country’s border.
French National Assembly passes police state “anti-riot” law targeting protests
By Will Morrow, 7 February 2019
Introduced in response to the “yellow vest” protests, the law marks a significant step in the transformation of France into a police state.
Berlin-based airline files for bankruptcy
By Ulrich Rippert, 7 February 2019
As in the case of the bankruptcy of Air Berlin, where Verdi and Lufthansa worked closely together, it is ultimately the workforce that will pay the costs of insolvency.
Stansted 15 anti-deportation protesters go free
By Robert Stevens, 7 February 2019
While avoiding jail sentences, the 15 were still found guilty and now have criminal records.
NHS 10-year plan: Recipe for further attacks on services and privatisation in UK
By Ajanta Silva, 7 February 2019
Under the banner of providing more choices, the government is ready to send more and more patients to private hospitals with the NHS footing the bill.
AfD deputy denounces a Holocaust commemoration in German parliament
By Christoph Vandreier, 7 February 2019
Seventy-four years after the liberation of Auschwitz, the crimes of the Nazi regime are being downplayed in the German Bundestag (parliament) without triggering any significant protest.
Paris steps up calls for coup in Venezuela
By Alex Lantier, 6 February 2019
Amid growing repression of “yellow vest” protests, it is critical for workers in France and across Europe to oppose attempts to impose a far-right regime in Venezuela.
UK: Employment growth at the expense of pay and job security
By Alice Summers, 6 February 2019
While employment rates have being steadily rising since the 2008 global financial crash, this increase has gone hand in glove with growing levels of job insecurity and stagnant pay.
One hundred years since the death of Franz Mehring
By Peter Schwarz, 6 February 2019
Mehring was one of the leading Marxist theoreticians of his time. Unlike other leading Social Democrats, who shifted to the right, he joined the Spartacus League during World War I.
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.
John Pilger to speak at March 3 Sydney rally to defend Julian Assange
By the Socialist Equality Party (Australia), 2 February 2019
As well as John Pilger, the Sydney rally will be addressed by SEP National Secretary James Cogan. Cogan will also be the main speaker at the demonstration in Melbourne on March 10.
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.
German defence report sparks hysterical campaign for increased military spending
By Johannes Stern, 2 February 2019
The ruling class and its parties are pursing massive rearmament plans and preparing Germany for war.
Portugal’s strike wave intensifies
By Paul Mitchell, 2 February 2019
As the strike movement develops, the unions have sought to dissipate united opposition into regional and sectoral strikes directed at pleading with various ministers, parliament and the president to change course.
Berlin teachers and social workers strike for better working conditions
By our reporters, 31 January 2019
The unions have long worked with the parties that form the Berlin Senate to impose cuts.
UK: Corbyn allows vicious Tory Immigration Bill to pass
By Thomas Scripps and Chris Marsden, 31 January 2019
Corbyn and his Labour Party are opposed to the free movement of European Union labour and support what Corbyn has termed “managed migration.”
Fascists march in Auschwitz
By Clara Weiss, 31 January 2019
The sight of a rabble of Nazi trash desecrating the memory of those who perished in Auschwitz is sickening and must be answered. But the response must be informed by an understanding of the inextricable link between capitalism, the crisis of bourgeois democracy and fascist reaction.
Stone indictment presents no evidence of links between WikiLeaks and Trump campaign
By James Cogan, 30 January 2019
WikiLeaks is a media organization that exercised the legally-protected rights of the press to published leaked information.
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.
UK’s May fends off demands to delay Brexit or rule out “no deal”
By Robert Stevens and Chris Marsden, 30 January 2019
May’s pledge to try to extract more concessions from the EU ensured that the government won the day, although this could prove to be a pyrrhic and very short-lived victory.
40,000 Irish nurses to participate in series of one day strikes
By Dermot Byrne and David Byrne, 30 January 2019
Members of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) are to hold the first in a series of 24-hour strikes today over pay and conditions.
Russian Duma plans internet crackdown as 12,000 truckers strike
By Clara Weiss, 30 January 2019
The legislation is part of a global assault on free speech on the internet and a censorship campaign against independent news outlets.
Greek parliament votes in support of Macedonia name change
By Katerina Selin, 30 January 2019
The Prespa agreement is aimed at paving the way for Macedonia’s rapid integration into NATO and the European Union.
Autoworkers strike in Hungary
By Markus Salzmann, 28 January 2019
Thousands of auto workers began a one-week strike on Thursday at an Audi plant in Györ, western Hungary.
Autoworkers strike in Hungary
By Markus Salzmann, 28 January 2019
Thousands of auto workers began a one-week strike on Thursday at an Audi plant in Györ, western Hungary.
An appeal from a UK rail worker for a joint fight of rail, bus and tram workers across Europe
By our correspondent, 28 January 2019
The WSWS has been sent this appeal from a UK rail worker to colleagues employed by state run Nederlandse Spoorwegen (Dutch Railways). It calls for a joint fight against its privatised arm, Abellio, which is currently attacking jobs and working conditions across its private UK rail franchises.
Presidential campaign officially begins in Ukraine
By Jason Melanovski, 28 January 2019
The Ukrainian presidential election is dominated by pro-imperialist, right-wing candidates who are hated and despised by the overwhelming majority of the population.
Former leader Alex Salmond’s arrest threatens to tear Scottish National Party apart
By Steve James, 26 January 2019
Whatever the outcome of the legal case against Salmond, the SNP is being torn apart by factional infighting.
Spain: Podemos co-founder Íñigo Errejón splits from party
By Paul Mitchell, 26 January 2019
The rise of the far-right Vox party is a devastating indictment of Errejón and the “left populism” promoted by his mentor, Belgian academic Chantal Mouffe.
Fascist deputies disrupt Holocaust memorial in Germany
By Peter Schwarz and Andre Damon, 26 January 2019
On Wednesday, deputies from the neo-fascist Alternative for Germany walked out of a Holocaust remembrance ceremony in the state parliament of Bavaria.
Successful election result for IYSSE at Humboldt University in Berlin
By the IYSSE chapter at Humboldt University, 26 January 2019
The IYSSE increased its share of the vote by a third, from 3.75 percent to over 5 percent, and will be represented by three deputies in the student parliament.
Oppose French unions’ attempts to strangle the “yellow vest” protests!
By Anthony Torres and Alex Lantier, 26 January 2019
The Pabloite New Anticapitalist Party’s calls for the unions to take over the “yellow vest” protests amounts to an attempt to strangle growing opposition among workers.
German Ford workers: “The yellow vests are going about it the right way”
By Dietmar Gaisenkersting, 25 January 2019
Members of the Socialist Equality Party discussed with Ford workers in Cologne about the formation of action committees independent of the unions to initiate a campaign to defend jobs.
UK: Remain and Leave factions line up for battle prior to next Brexit vote
By Robert Stevens, 25 January 2019
Theresa May is calculating that enough rebel Brexiteers in her ruling Conservative Party, who voted against her original deal, will support her to ensure no possibility of Brexit being overturned.
“People are still being deported and thrown into detention centres”
An interview with British “Stansted 15” defendant Melanie Strickland
By Margot Miller, 25 January 2019
Melanie Strickland is one of the anti-deportation campaigners found guilty of endangering safety at an airport in contravention of the 1990 Aviation and Maritime Security Act, part of Britain’s anti-terror laws.
100 years since the founding of the Bauhaus
Including an interview with Bauhaus student Wilf Franks
By Barbara Slaughter and Stefan Steinberg, 25 January 2019
This year marks the 100 anniversary of the founding of the Bauhaus movement in Germany, which played a key role in the development of progressive art and culture in the twentieth century.
Scottish teachers balloted for strike action in pay dispute
By Darren Paxton, 23 January 2019
Teachers in Scotland are demanding a 10 percent pay increase, having rejected on several occasions the Scottish government’s offer of a paltry 3 percent.
040 German Ford workers interviews
23 January 2019
Germany, France step up military, police alliance with Aachen treaty
By Alex Lantier, 23 January 2019
The treaty aims to build a German-French axis as the centre of a European Union rivaling America militarily and planning the repression of workers across Europe.
The Brexit crisis and the struggle for socialism
By Chris Marsden, 23 January 2019
The answer to austerity is not a pro-capitalist Labour government dedicated to rebuilding “national unity” across the Brexit divide, but the unification of workers in Britain with the working class across the continent in the fight for the United Socialist States of Europe.
Ford workers at Bridgend in Wales facing 1,000 job losses
By Barry Mason, 21 January 2019
The trade unions act as management partners and are doing nothing to oppose the job losses.
Macron offers “great national debate” as trap for French yellow vest protesters
By Anthony Torres, 21 January 2019
In a letter to the French people, Macron offered a choice of which social programs to cut.
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.
German SPD politician justifies murder of Rosa Luxemburg
By Peter Schwarz, 18 January 2019
Although the SPD continues to officially deny its complicity in the murder of Luxemburg and Liebknecht, Wolfgang Thierse, former president of the federal parliament, has now declared: We would do it again.
UK: Blairites spearhead campaign to commit Labour to remaining in the European Union
By Thomas Scripps, 18 January 2019
The Blairites are opposed to a general election and aim to block Brexit without letting what is nominally their own party under Corbyn anywhere near power.
Scottish lecturers expand strike for pay claim
By our correspondents, 18 January 2019
Lecturers are demanding a 2.5 percent increase, which merely covers for inflation, against an offer from the employers group Colleges Scotland of 0.9 percent.
France’s Lutte ouvrière group defends unions against “yellow vest” protests
By Anthony Torres, 18 January 2019
The “yellow vest” movement has unmasked the class gulf separating the workers from the union bureaucracies and organizations such as the pseudo-left Lutte ouvrière .
Gdańsk mayor and opposition politician Paweł Adamowicz brutally assassinated
By Clara Weiss, 17 January 2019
Political responsibility for the assassination lies squarely with the ruling right-wing Law and Justice Party (PiS), which has promoted far-right forces and sentiments for years.
UK parliament votes down Prime Minister May’s Brexit deal
By Robert Stevens and Chris Marsden, 16 January 2019
In response to the resounding rejection of May’s proposal, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has called a vote of no confidence for Wednesday.
Spain’s far-right Vox party backs right-wing coalition government in Andalusia
By Alejandro López, 14 January 2019
This is the first time a far-right party promoting the legacy of fascist dictator Francisco Franco helped form a government since the Francoite dictatorship fell 40 years ago.
France’s mass “yellow vest” protests continue to grow in 2019
By Alex Lantier, 14 January 2019
Demonstrations this Saturday grew significantly compared with last week, amid rising anger at French President Emmanuel Macron.
Jaguar Land Rover announces nearly 5,000 UK job losses in global restructuring
By Robert Stevens, 12 January 2019
Last October, JLR posted losses of £90 million and has seen a collapse in sales by nearly 50 percent in its main and most profitable market, China.
Security personnel at German airports continue protest strikes
By K. Nesan and Marianne Arens, 12 January 2019
The work stoppages make clear the enormous anger of security staff and their willingness to fight.
Was the hack of German politicians data supported by the state?
By Ulrich Rippert, 12 January 2019
Out of all the parties represented in parliament, only politicians from one remained unaffected by the hack: the far-right AfD.
The struggle against austerity and the fight for the United Socialist States of Europe
By the Socialist Equality Party (UK), 12 January 2019
The SEP insists that the answer to austerity in the UK is not the election of a pro-capitalist Labour government, but the unification of the working class across the continent in the struggle for socialism.
Ford to lay off thousands, close plants across Europe
By Will Morrow, 11 January 2019
The company’s statement bluntly spells out the role to be played by the unions—which it correctly labels its “trade union partners”—in suppressing opposition among workers.
Macron launches fraudulent “national debate” on “yellow vest” protests
By Alex Lantier, 11 January 2019
The debate is an attempt to strangle mounting opposition while continuing reactionary policies of austerity and militarism under cover of a few empty phrases.
French government witch-hunts ex-boxer who punched riot police in “yellow vest” protest
By Will Moreau, 11 January 2019
The outpouring of popular support for Dettinger has triggered a hysterical campaign by the Macron government against the ex-boxer and those supporting him.
Syriza government enforces new budget cuts in Greece
By John Vassilopoulos, 11 January 2019
Syriza is enforcing another austerity budget that reduces even further the social position of an already devastated working class.
Germany deports more refugees to Afghanistan
By Marianne Arens, 11 January 2019
On Monday night, a further 36 refugees were deported to Kabul, including a number who had lived and worked for years in Germany and had no idea they were at risk.
Nearly 600 homeless died on UK streets in 2017
“We’re living in the Dark Ages—how can there be so much wealth and so much misery?”
By our reporters, 11 January 2019
Over the holiday period, WSWS reporters spoke to homeless people, charities and volunteers dealing with the escalating homeless crisis in the UK.
Socialist Equality Party takes legal action against surveillance by German secret service
By the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei, 10 January 2019
Dr. Peer Stolle, the lawyer for the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei, has submitted formal notice in writing to the German Federal Agency for the Protection of the Constitution, which is published here.
Report: Police gave neo-Nazi rioters free rein in Chemnitz, Germany
By Martin Nowak, 10 January 2019
An internal police report makes clear that although the police were well informed about the activities of the far right in Chemnitz, they did nothing to stop them.
Further protests against Orbán government in Hungary
By Markus Salzmann, 9 January 2019
On Saturday, in freezing temperatures, about 10,000 people demonstrated again in Budapest against the right-wing government of Prime Minister Victor Orbán.
Growing “yellow vest” protests defy French police repression
By Anthony Torres, 7 January 2019
The protest Saturday, the first day of action of French “yellow vest” protesters in 2019, mobilized substantially larger forces than the last protests of 2018.
German media demand accelerated rearmament
By Peter Schwarz, 7 January 2019
Editorials in leading German publications are marked by a mixture of fear and aggression as the new year begins.
UK Integrity Initiative heavily involved in Skripal affair
By Robert Stevens, 7 January 2019
Leaked documents indicate that the moves against Russia over the Skripal affair were scripted well in advance.
Scuffles in German city of Amberg exploited to incite right-wing campaign
By Marianne Arens and Peter Schwarz, 5 January 2019
Politicians from Bavaria and Berlin have been lining up to outdo each other with proposals for more restrictive asylum laws.
Protests against poverty, housing evictions and repossessions spread across Ireland
By Steve James, 5 January 2019
Figures released by the Department of Housing last July showed that nearly 10,000 people in Ireland are living in emergency accommodation. Housing campaigners suggest the real figure is double that.
French police arrest “yellow vest” spokesman Eric Drouet
By Anthony Torres, 4 January 2019
The ruling elite is sending a signal that it aims to criminalize and persecute all expressions of genuine political opposition.
Silence follows Trump attorney’s statement that Julian Assange did nothing “wrong”
By James Cogan, 4 January 2019
Not a word about Rudy Giuliani’s Fox News interview has been said by the political and media establishment in the US, Europe or Australia.
British government dispatches Royal Navy to stop cross-Channel refugee boats
By Paul Mitchell, 4 January 2019
A right-wing anti-immigration campaign is being manufactured around the minuscule number of desperate souls—539 in total—who tried to cross the Channel in 2018.
US intelligence think tank conducted “false flag” operation impersonating Russian election interference
By Will Morrow, 31 December 2018
New Knowledge sought to influence the 2017 Alabama election and make it appear that Russia was intervening to back the Republican candidate.
UK: Cross-party moves escalate to prevent Brexit and secure second referendum
By Robert Stevens, 31 December 2018
Amid an unprecedented crisis of rule, Corbyn’s major concern is to preserve the unity of the Labour Party on the basis that only a Labour government can rescue British imperialism.
German AfD parliamentarian joins weapons drill of far-right group in South Africa
By Johannes Stern, 31 December 2018
Petr Bystron, an AfD member of the Bundestag, took part in shooting exercises of the far-right paramilitary “Suidlanders” during an official parliamentary trip to South Africa.
French “yellow vest” protests expose anti-worker role of New Anticapitalist Party
By Alex Lantier, 31 December 2018
The NPA reacted to the protests by first denouncing them as fascist and then demanding that the trade union bureaucracy assert control over the movement and restore order.
Academics and students oppose Cambridge University appointment of eugenicist Noah Carl—Part 2
By Thomas Scripps, 31 December 2018
This is the second and concluding part of a series on the political significance of the appointment by Cambridge University of eugenicist Noah Carl as a research fellow.
UK: Investigation into Grenfell fire will “take years, not months,” police say
By Barry Mason and Robert Stevens, 29 December 2018
With the police investigation now to take years, there is plenty of scope for the criminals responsible for Grenfell to kick things even further into the long grass.
Academics and students oppose Cambridge University appointment of eugenicist Noah Carl—Part 1
By Thomas Scripps, 29 December 2018
This is the first of a two-part series on the political significance of the appointment by Cambridge University of eugenicist Noah Carl as a research fellow.
France’s “yellow vest” protests and the fraud of Mélenchon’s “citizens revolution”
By Alex Lantier, 29 December 2018
With his calls for “yellow vest” protesters to carry out a “citizens revolution,” Mélenchon is trying to confuse, strangle and shut down the movement.
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