Europe
Ukraine: Three-year-old boy killed in attempted political assassination by the far right
By Jason Melanovski, 7 December 2019
The killing of a three-year-old demonstrates that far-right forces in Ukraine are being given free rein to carry out targeted political assassinations.
The way forward for the mass strike in France
By Alex Lantier, 7 December 2019
The working class faces a fight to bring down the Macron government, drawing into struggle ever broader layers of workers and youth in France and internationally.
SEP (UK) candidate Chris Marsden speaks on Kashmir and Palestine at Sheffield mosque hustings
By our reporter, 7 December 2019
Marsden told the attentive audience, “Kashmir has been a terrible victim of the partition of India on religious and communal lines.”
Former head of German Secret Service publishes fascist manifesto
By the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei, 7 December 2019
Maassen’s article contains a thinly-veiled call for building a fascist movement to crush working class opposition to social inequality and militarism.
Indian oil workers strike against privatisation: Auto workers in Haryana protest in solidarity with striking Honda contract workers
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and New Zealand
7 December 2019
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
German Amazon workers walk out; Zimbabwe doctors and public sector continue 13-week stoppage
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
7 December 2019
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
1.5 million march amid mass strike in France against austerity and inequality
By Anthony Torres and Alex Lantier, 6 December 2019
Tens of thousands of rail, government, and education workers went on strike against plans by French President Emanuel Macron to slash pensions.
French public sector strikers call to free Julian Assange
By Alex Lantier and V. Gnana, 6 December 2019
Strikers denounced the imprisonment of the Australian journalist under appalling conditions in Britain, for having revealed imperialist war crimes in Iraq.
SPD youth leader defends Germany’s grand coalition government
By Ulrich Rippert, 6 December 2019
In a long interview with the Rheinische Post, Kühnert warned “of the consequences of a hasty exit” from the ruling grand coalition.
Labour’s election pledges no answer to UK’s housing crisis
By Paul Bond, 6 December 2019
Labour’s proposed social housing construction programme is based on the same capitalist market that makes the lives of millions impossible.
Doctors condemn failure of British government to answer letter demanding medical care for Julian Assange
By our reporters, 5 December 2019
The doctors state that “the UK government’s refusal to take the required measures to protect Mr Assange’s rights, health and dignity appears...unlawfully and unnecessarily exposes Mr Assange to potentially irreversible medical risks.”
Thousands of teachers strike in Croatia
By Markus Salzmann, 5 December 2019
The teachers, on strike for over a month, are demanding increased wages and improved working conditions in schools and colleges.
NATO summit dominated by growing inter-state conflicts
By Alex Lantier, 5 December 2019
Explosive conflicts over trade and military policy between Washington and its main European allies erupted this week at the NATO summit in London.
French public sector strike: Build independent committees of action for political struggle against Macron
By Anthony Torres, 5 December 2019
The December 5 strike is part of a vast international resurgence of class struggle in opposition to social inequality and military-police repression.
Trump denounces Macron’s criticisms of NATO at London summit
By Alex Lantier, 4 December 2019
Bitter conflicts between the United States and the major European powers erupted into the open yesterday, at the start of the two-day NATO summit in London.
Germany: Far-right AfD’s party conference strengthens völkisch-nationalist “wing”
By Peter Schwarz, 4 December 2019
The nationalist “wing” group (Der Flügel) in the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) around Björn Höcke and Andreas Kalbitz has emerged strengthened from its federal party conference.
Catalan nationalists negotiate over support for PSOE-led Spanish government
By Alejandro López, 4 December 2019
The Catalan nationalist parties are negotiating with the social democrats, even as the social democrats assault mass protests in Catalonia and target the nationalist parties.
Harry Dunn’s parents take legal action against UK Foreign Office
By Barry Mason, 4 December 2019
Harry Dunn died near Croughton, Northamptonshire August 27 after his motorbike collided head-on with a car driven on the wrong side of the road by Anne Sacoolas, the wife of a National Security Agency spy.
Mercedes-Benz to cut more than 10,000 jobs
By K. Nesan, 30 November 2019
The announcement is part of a sweeping assault on jobs in the international auto industry.
John Pilger visits Julian Assange in Belmarsh Prison: “Look how you frighten them!”
By our reporter, 30 November 2019
The following speech was delivered by veteran investigative journalist John Pilger to a public meeting in London on November 28 at St Pancras New Church.
Imperialist powers intensify pressure on Iranian regime in wake of protests
By Jordan Shilton, 30 November 2019
US imperialism is chiefly responsible for the tense standoff in the Persian Gulf. But the claims of the Iranian regime that “collective security” can be achieved by establishing a closer military alliance with Beijing and Moscow are reactionary.
After student sets himself on fire, French youth protest: “Precariousness kills”
By Francis Dubois, 30 November 2019
Anas K.’s desperate action and his scathing denunciation of the Macron government and of capitalism have reverberated powerfully among tens of thousands of students who face the same dire conditions.
Hillsborough families denied justice for 96 deaths after 30 years, as ex-police chief walks free
By Robert Stevens, 30 November 2019
David Duckenfield, former match commander of the South Yorkshire Police, was found not guilty of gross negligence manslaughter.
Fire Brigades Union study exposes decades of deregulation and cost-cutting that led to Grenfell Tower inferno—Part 2
By Alice Summers, 30 November 2019
The FBU’s lengthy study is all the more important in the context of a concerted smear campaign by the media, the police investigation and the official Grenfell Tower Inquiry, which have set out to cover up the principal causes of the fire and shift the blame to the London Fire Brigade.
Berlin Tax Office withdraws charitable status from Nazi victims’ organisation
By Justus Leicht, 30 November 2019
The decision is tantamount to a ban, depriving the organisation of tax concessions vital to fund its work.
Groundswell of support for WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange
By Oscar Grenfell, 30 November 2019
The surge of support for Assange is a welcome blow to the conspiracy of silence surrounding his persecution, enforced by governments, establishment parties and the corporate media around the world.
Croatian teachers’ strikes; healthcare workers’ stoppage in Northern Ireland; Zimbabwe unrest over runaway inflation continues
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
29 November 2019
Thousands of Croatian teachers are continuing strikes over pay while 25,000 health staff in Northern Ireland have taken industrial action and Zimbabwe unions have called a mass demonstration over deteriorating economic conditions.
Audio recording refutes Hannah-Jones’ claim that she was falsely quoted by the World Socialist Web Site
By Eric London, 27 November 2019
The World Socialist Web Site publishes the audio of Hannah-Jones’ remarks.
Automaker Audi slashes 9,500 jobs in Germany
By Dietmar Gaisenkersting, 27 November 2019
The job cuts are part of a global offensive against autoworkers, which could cost at least 15 percent of the jobs of Germany’s 820,000 workers in the auto and parts industries.
Doctors’ open letter defending Julian Assange wins global support
By Laura Tiernan, 27 November 2019
An open letter by doctors urging action to save the life of imprisoned WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange has received international media coverage, winning growing support among doctors.
Thousands of UK university staff begin eight-day strike with support of students
By Robert Stevens, 26 November 2019
Hundreds of strikers mounted picket lines at university campuses at 63 institutions around the UK.
Lecturers and students speak out in UK university strike
”Whether you’re in Hong Kong, Bolivia, Chile or Lebanon, in Britain or in Italy, it’s the same fight…against social inequality and social injustice”
By our reporters, 26 November 2019
WSWS reporters spoke to university workers and lecturers on the first day of the strike at 60 higher education institutions in the UK.
French courts sabotage probe of official financing of Islamic State terrorism
By Francis Dubois, 26 November 2019
The French courts are covering for the multibillion-dollar Lafarge corporation and its ties to both the French state and the Islamic State terrorist militia in Syria.
Workers and youth protest French president’s visit to Amiens
By Pierre Mabut, 26 November 2019
The town was in lockdown, with riot police on duty at all intersections, and only vetted guests were allowed to attend official engagements.
UK defies UN deadline to hand over Chagos Islands/Diego Garcia to Mauritius
By Jean Shaoul, 26 November 2019
The UN meeting in May condemned Britain’s occupation of the Chagos Islands and a non-binding ruling by the International Court of Justice calling on the UK to relinquish its hold on the territory within six months.
The significance of the doctors’ open letter in defence of Julian Assange
By Chris Marsden, 26 November 2019
The doctors’ action marks a new stage in the struggle to free Assange because it has been taken independently by a group of professional workers, animated by profound concern for his fate and for democratic rights.
West Midland Trains workers escalate fight against strike-breaking operation
By Michael Barnes, 23 November 2019
The WMT strike is the latest in an almost four-year battle by workers at the UK’s private rail franchises to forge a unified struggle between drivers and conductors.
Striking Dutch healthcare workers speak about first ever nationwide strike
By Daniel Woreck and Harm Zonderland, 23 November 2019
The WSWS spoke to striking healthcare workers at a rally in Utrecht about their working conditions and strike amid an international resurgence of class struggles.
Scottish court authorises eviction of Glasgow asylum seekers by Serco
By Steve James, 23 November 2019
Dorrian’s ruling is an example of class justice, upholding Serco’s interests against vulnerable, stressed and insecure people.
Spanish pseudo-lefts try to block opposition to Podemos-PSOE regime
By Alejandro López and Alex Lantier, 23 November 2019
Middle-class parties in Spain are peddling illusions in factions of Podemos even after it has agreed to govern with the Socialist Party on a program of austerity and repression.
Socialist Equality Party campaign team attends University College London strike of outsourced workers
By Thomas Scripps, 21 November 2019
The strikers, joined by many students and academic staff, occupied the University’s student centre for a rally, with speeches delivered in English and Spanish.
Striking university workers speak out: “Assange won’t be defended by the rich, it must be the working people!”
By our reporter, 21 November 2019
WSWS reporters spoke to striking outsourced workers at University College London, on Tuesday.
Conference at European Parliament defends Julian Assange
By Oscar Grenfell, 21 November 2019
Speakers warned that the persecution of Assange was creating a precedent for the suppression of press freedom and for the application of repressive US laws all over the world.
Corbyn’s “left” pretensions exposed in UK general election debate
By Robert Stevens, 21 November 2019
The debate was proof that, in any period prior to Tony Blair’s government, Corbyn would barely be considered even a “left” reformist.
Russia’s Gazprom offers Ukraine short-term gas deal
By Jason Melanovski, 21 November 2019
Disputes over gas and energy are central to the inter-imperialist conflicts over Ukraine and Russia.
The Unwanted: 80 years since the tragic odyssey of the MS St. Louis
By Verena Nees, 21 November 2019
The German television drama The Unwanted: The Odyssey of the St. Louis recounts the story of the ship with more than 900 Jewish refugees on board fleeing Nazi Germany, prevented from landing by the Cuban, American and Canadian governments.
Corbyn tells British industry executives: “It’s sometimes claimed that I’m anti-business. That is complete nonsense”
By Robert Stevens, 20 November 2019
The Labour Party leader reassured the Confederation of British Industry, “You and your business have so much to gain from a Labour government.”
Germany’s Green Party conference—power at any price
By Peter Schwarz, 20 November 2019
The entire party conference was aimed at demonstrating the reliability of the Greens to the ruling circles in politics, business and the media.
Collapse of Swedish “sexual misconduct” frame-up exposes political conspiracy against Assange
By Oscar Grenfell, 20 November 2019
The discrediting of the Swedish investigation, which played a linchpin role in the US-led pursuit of Assange, exposes the lawless character of the entire operation against the WikiLeaks founder.
Dutch health care strike: The defense of health care requires a socialist perspective
By Parwini Zora and Harm Zonderland, 20 November 2019
Dutch health care workers are taking a stand with the first-ever nationwide strike, as part of the international resurgence of the class struggle.
France to host “peace summit” with Germany, Ukraine and Russia
By Clara Weiss, 19 November 2019
The summit is part of the effort of French and German imperialism to play a bigger role in Eastern Europe as tensions with the US are rising.
Former US Secretary of State Kissinger points to danger of “catastrophic” conflict between US and China
By Nick Beams, 16 November 2019
Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger has warned of an inevitable “conflict” between the US and China that “will be worse than the world wars that ruined European civilisation.”
Germany: Left Party parliamentary group elects new leadership
By Peter Schwarz, 16 November 2019
The trench warfare within the Left Party expresses tensions and friction stemming inevitably from the right-wing turn undertaken by the whole party.
Glasgow helicopter crash inquiry scapegoats pilot
By Steve James, 16 November 2019
After six years waiting, the verdict of a Fatal Accident Inquiry has pinned responsibility for the Clutha helicopter crash solely on the aircraft’s pilot, David Traill, who was one of those killed.
UK High Court bans strike by 110,000 Royal Mail postal workers
By Robert Stevens, 14 November 2019
In response to the ruling, unofficial walkouts by postal workers must be organised and linked up with other workers throughout the delivery and communication industry and other sectors coming into struggle.
Podemos agrees to back Spanish social-democratic government
By Alex Lantier, 13 November 2019
Podemos is aware that the PSOE is organizing violent repression in Catalonia that strengthens the fascistic Vox party, and supports the PSOE on this basis.
Blairite MP Margaret Hodge refuses to back Corbyn as prime minister
By Thomas Scripps, 13 November 2019
The measure of Corbyn’s politics is that he enters his second general election at the head of the same party fundamentally that launched the 2003 war in Iraq, the 2008 bailout of the banks, and began the drive for austerity.
Germany: Berlin rent cap—a deceptive manoeuvre
By Tino Jacobson and Markus Salzmann, 13 November 2019
The rent cap will not stop the enrichment of the rent sharks, provide affordable housing for all, or hide the right-wing and anti-social policies of the parties controlling the Berlin Senate.
Fascistic Vox party surges in Spanish election as hung parliament emerges
By Alex Lantier, 11 November 2019
The rise of the fascistic right follows a reactionary election campaign oriented around all the major parties’ support for police crackdowns on mass protests in Catalonia.
German defence minister calls for expansion of foreign military interventions
By Peter Schwarz, 11 November 2019
In a keynote address, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer declared, “there is broad agreement that, given the strategic challenges, Germany must ... “do more to defend our values and interests.”
Macron warns Economist magazine of world war, collapse of NATO alliance
By Alex Lantier, 9 November 2019
Outlining escalating conflicts inside NATO, Macron admitted that for decades it has attacked countries and toppled their regimes without any popular support.
Defying their unions, Dutch teachers stage countrywide one-day strike
By Harm Zonderland and Parwini Zora, 9 November 2019
The teachers’ action was the latest in a series of mass protests across the country, which has been dubbed an “autumn of discontent.”
UK’s Royal Mail seeks legal action to prevent postal strike
By Robert Stevens, 9 November 2019
Royal Mail intends to impose conditions now widespread throughout the “gig economy.” The Communication Workers Union have done everything possible to avert industrial action.
German Christian Democrats call for collaboration with the far-right AfD
By Marianne Arens, 9 November 2019
A leader of the CDU said in an interview that, in his opinion, the AfD was “a conservative party” and were “not all Nazis.”
Thirty years since the fall of the Berlin Wall
By Peter Schwarz, 9 November 2019
Thirty years ago, the fall of the Berlin Wall marked the end of the GDR. Republished below is an article by Peter Schwarz that first appeared on the WSWS five years ago, on November 8, 2014, under the headline, “25 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall.”
Spain’s November 10 elections and the fight against authoritarian rule
By Alejandro Lopez, 9 November 2019
On Sunday, Spain will hold its fourth general elections in as many years, six months after the last elections this April.
Flight attendants to take further strike action at Lufthansa
By Marianne Arens, 7 November 2019
Germany’s main airline, Lufthansa, faces a 48-hour strike by cabin crew on Thursday and Friday.
German imperialism’s new drive for world power
By Johannes Stern, 7 November 2019
In a lecture on the theme of “Germany’s role in a globalised world,” the president of the parliament, Wolfgang Schäuble, called for a return to a foreign policy of military violence.
Socialist Equality Party stands in UK general election: No to austerity, militarism and war! Free Julian Assange! For class struggle and socialist internationalism!
By Socialist Equality Party (UK), 6 November 2019
The Socialist Equality Party is standing candidates in the December 12 UK general election to wage a political struggle against austerity, authoritarian rule, militarism and war.
IYSSE meetings in Germany: Stop the shift to the right at the universities!
By our correspondents, 6 November 2019
The meetings are part of a series being organised by the IYSSE across Germany to oppose the rise of the far-right on university campuses and in political life.
Former neo-fascist candidate attacks mosque in French city of Bayonne
By Anthony Torres, 4 November 2019
The entire political and media establishment bears heavy political responsibility for these attacks, creating the filthy political climate that encourages right-wing elements to carry them out.
Trump targets Corbyn in UK election intervention
By Laura Tiernan, 2 November 2019
Trump’s intervention comes less than four months after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned the US government would not allow a Corbyn government to take office and would “push back” to prevent this.
Exhumation of Franco: Spain’s ruling class pays homage to a fascist dictator
By Alejandro López and Alex Lantier, 2 November 2019
Last week, the Spanish Socialist Party government exhumed the remains of fascist dictator General Francisco Franco from his vast “Valley of the Fallen” mausoleum.
Germany’s grand coalition extends military operations in Syria and Iraq
By Johannes Stern, 2 November 2019
Eighty years after the end of the Second World War, leading politicians from all parties openly advocate policies of war and military violence.
Hamburg senate deploys police against student anti-Nazi protest
By Christoph Vandreier and Johannes Stern, 2 November 2019
Hundreds of Hamburg students have protested against the return of Bernd Lucke, founder of the far-right Alternative for Germany, to their university in the past two weeks.
Roger Waters on RT: “The US and UK are trying to kill Julian Assange”
By Kevin Reed, 2 November 2019
Roger Waters, the internationally acclaimed musician and creative force behind the rock band Pink Floyd, is playing a prominent and welcome role in the fight to free the WikiLeaks publisher.
100 years since the founding of the Bauhaus art school and movement: “A New Era”
By Sybille Fuchs, 2 November 2019
The question arises: what was so special about this school, which existed for just 14 years (1919-1933) and was forced to change its location three times in Germany due to the hostile reaction of conservative and nationalist forces?
Inquiry issues cover-up report on Grenfell Tower fire disaster
By Robert Stevens, 31 October 2019
By focusing almost exclusively on the London Fire Brigade’s actions on the night, Sir Martin Moore-Bick’s inquiry deliberately transfers blame away from the real culprits.
Germany: How Hesse authorities covered up the NSU and Lübcke murderers
By Peter Schwarz, 30 October 2019
Temme, an employee of the Hesse state branch of the secret service, maintained an official relationship with the neo-Nazi Stephan Ernst, the alleged murderer of the Kassel district president Walter Lübcke.
Mass rally against jailing of Catalan nationalists in Barcelona
By Alejandro López, 28 October 2019
Two weeks before the November 10 general elections in Spain, hundreds of thousands marched in Barcelona Saturday afternoon.
European Union delays Brexit extension decision as Corbyn tries to avoid general election
By Robert Stevens, 26 October 2019
Germany, Spain and Italy are all pushing for the three-month Brexit extension, while French President Emmanuel Macron has emerged as the lone opposition voice.
Britain obstructs Spanish investigation into CIA spying on Julian Assange
By Oscar Grenfell, 26 October 2019
The British judiciary is terrified that the investigation into the illegal surveillance of Assange will further expose the lawless character of the attempt to extradite him to the US.
Euro area heads for slump as Draghi steps down as central bank chief
By Nick Beams, 26 October 2019
The eurozone economy grew by only 0.1 percent in the September quarter.
Thirty-nine migrants found dead in lorry trailer in UK
By Laura Tiernan, 24 October 2019
The real authors of this immense crime reside in 10 Downing Street, along with the government and opposition parties in Westminster Palace and their accomplices in every European capital.
European Union leaders consider three-month Brexit delay, as UK general election looms
By Robert Stevens, 24 October 2019
Speculation mounted Wednesday that any new Brexit extension authorised by the EU would be flexible, allowing the UK to leave the bloc at an earlier date provided the deal finally passes in Westminster and the European Parliament.
Julian Assange’s court hearing in London: Britain stages a lawless show-trial
By Oscar Grenfell, 24 October 2019
The appearance of Assange, ill and defenceless, before a magistrate who showed contempt for the law, makes clear that the persecution of the award-winning journalist has been a pseudo-legal travesty from the beginning.
No to the German-European security zone in Syria!
By Johannes Stern, 24 October 2019
The call by German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer for an international security zone in northern Syria marks a new stage in the revival of German militarism.
Johnson wins vote on Brexit deal but MPs back further delay
By Robert Stevens, 23 October 2019
Support for the Withdrawal Agreement Bill was the first time in more than three years that MPs have voted for a deal negotiated by the Tory government with the European Union.
Hundreds protest outside Westminster Magistrates Court to demand freedom for Julian Assange
By Richard Tyler, 23 October 2019
SEP national secretary Chris Marsden told demonstrators: “We want the working class to defend a man whose freedom is of paramount importance for every man, woman and child on this planet.”
UK Prime Minister Johnson forced to send request for Brexit extension after “Super Saturday” parliamentary setback
By Chris Marsden, 21 October 2019
The government is pushing for a speedy vote on Johnson’s deal, while the opposition wants to prevent one by tabling amendments, given that a no-deal Brexit outcome has been ruled out.
Pro-European Union demonstration mobilises hundreds of thousands in London
By Robert Stevens, 21 October 2019
The protest was led by a right-wing coalition of Blairites, Liberal Democrats and pro-EU Conservatives, culminating in a joint video presentation in Parliament Square, featuring John Major and Tony Blair.
Draconian verdict against Catalan politicians exposes bankruptcy of Podemos
By Alejandro López, 21 October 2019
This crisis is giving workers and youth internationally yet another bitter lesson in the reactionary role of affluent middle class, “post-Marxist” populist parties.
General strike paralyzes Catalonia as over half-a-million demonstrate in Barcelona
By Alejandro López, 19 October 2019
Broad sections of youth and workers mobilized to protest the police state that is emerging in Spain, and more broadly across Europe.
Labour leads effort to vote down Johnson’s Brexit deal
By Chris Marsden, 19 October 2019
UK members of parliament will vote today on whether or not to accept Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal with the European Union.
An open letter to all members of the German Association of University Professors and Lecturers
Stop the shift to the right at the universities!
By the International Youth and Students for Social Equality, 19 October 2019
Bernhard Kempen is using his position as president of the German Association of University Professors and Lecturers to defend the right-wing extremist historian Jörg Baberowski.
Join the protest to oppose his extradition to the United States!
Julian Assange to appear Monday at Westminster Magistrates Court
By our reporters, 19 October 2019
The World Socialist Web Site urges the widest support for Monday’s demonstration outside Westminster Magistrates Court in London starting at 9 a.m.
Zimbabwe doctors’ six-week strike continues in defiance of courts; German airline cabin crew to walk out Saturday
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
19 October 2019
Doctors in Zimbabwe are demanding their wages be pegged to the US dollar in the face of runaway inflation while Lufthansa cabin crew plan to strike Saturday over wages.
The jailing of Catalan nationalists: Spanish government builds a police state
By Alex Lantier, 17 October 2019
The Spanish Supreme Court’s sentencing Monday of a dozen Catalan nationalists to a decade in prison for sedition is a politically illegitimate ruling that will live in infamy.
After overwhelming strike vote at Royal Mail Group rank-and-file postal workers need a socialist strategy
By the Socialist Equality Party (UK), 16 October 2019
Postal workers are determined to fight the relentless assault that has followed privatisation. But the CWU’s sole aim is to pressure management to resume negotiations.
Communication Workers Union defies strike mandate, pledges to continue talks with Royal Mail
By our reporter, 16 October 2019
Instead of setting a date for strike action, CWU officials announced a plan to lobby individual shareholders.
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