Europe
Rich in US and UK live nearly ten more healthy years than the poor
By Kate Randall, 18 January 2020
Wealthy men and women generally have eight to nine more years of “disability free” life after age 50 than the poorest American and English adults.
US and UK clash over Huawei involvement in 5G rollout
By Robert Stevens, 18 January 2020
The rollout of 5G broadband wireless networks globally is becoming an arena for the eruption of geopolitical tensions.
German government to continue military operations in the Middle East
By Johannes Stern, 18 January 2020
All of the parliamentary parties agree with the government’s policy of escalating Germany military intervention in the region.
The Libya conference and the new scramble for Africa
By Johannes Stern, 18 January 2020
The Berlin meeting is reminiscent of the infamous Congo Conference, also held in Berlin in 1884-85 and aimed at the complete colonization of Africa.
Germany: Auto manufacturer Opel to wipe out 4,100 jobs
By Peter Schwarz, 16 January 2020
After these cuts are completed in 2029, less than half of the company’s 19,000 jobs in Germany before its sale to PSA in 2017 will remain.
Russian government resigns after Putin’s state of the nation address
By Clara Weiss, 16 January 2020
The resignation of the widely unpopular Russian government comes amid mounting social conflict and escalating war tensions between the US and Iran which threaten to draw in the entire South Caucasus region and Russia itself.
YouTube, Facebook and Twitter remove accounts and content opposing the illegal assassination of Iranian General Suleimani
By Kevin Reed, 16 January 2020
The social media companies YouTube, Facebook and Twitter are following the orders of the Trump administration in the aftermath of the criminal assassination of Iranian General Suleimani on January 3.
Assange’s French legal advisor Juan Branco: “We’ve experienced a strong shift that we now need to nurture”
By Oscar Grenfell, 16 January 2020
In comments to the WSWS this week, Branco stated: “Citizens have their mass and geniuses like Julian Assange on their side—private interests have their economical power, cynicism and capacity to corrupt on theirs.”
Malians protest to demand departure of French occupation troops
By Alex Lantier, 16 January 2020
Anger is exploding against the carnage produced by the French war in Mali and against official lies that France is waging a global war on terror.
UK energy costs soar, leaving millions of households in fuel poverty
By Alice Summers, 16 January 2020
Rapidly increasing energy costs and low income have forced many working class households to choose between eating and heating.
German captain of refugee rescue ship “Lifeline” acquitted of criminal charges in Malta
By Marianne Arens, 16 January 2020
Despite the acquittal neither Malta nor the EU have retreated from its inhumane and murderous anti-refugee policy with Valletta continuing to prevent NGO ships from entering its waters.
European powers move toward scrapping nuclear accord with Iran
By Alex Lantier, 15 January 2020
Berlin, London and Paris, emboldened by Tehran’s weak response to the US murder of Iranian General Qassem Suleimani, are escalating attacks against Iran.
Germany’s Süddeutsche Zeitung defends murder of Suleimani
By Peter Schwarz, 15 January 2020
In reaction to the Middle East crisis, Germany’s ruling circles are enthusing about the criminal methods of Trump while pursuing their own imperialist interests more aggressively.
All UK Labour leadership candidates sign up to stepped up pro-Zionist witch-hunt
By Robert Stevens, 15 January 2020
The most enthusiastic signatory to a document that means a stepped up witch-hunt of anti-Zionist party members is Rebecca Long-Bailey, the candidate favoured by the pro-Corbyn “left.”
UK Flybe airline reaches bailout deal with government
By Thomas Scripps, 15 January 2020
Emergency discussions with the government followed a decade of deep financial trouble for Flybe, which has suffered under the pressure of intensifying competition in the airline industry.
Social Democrat Milanović wins presidential election in Croatia
By Markus Salzmann, 14 January 2020
The Social Democrat unexpectedly won against incumbent Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, who ran for the right-wing Croatian Democratic Community.
Stop the War rally tries to restore Corbyn’s tattered anti-war credentials
By Robert Stevens, 13 January 2020
The more dangerous the world situation becomes, the less the STWC, which orients to the rightward-lurching Labour and trade union apparatus, is able to mobilise popular support.
“We’ve seen this all happen before, with the Iraq war. We saw how that went. It was a complete tragedy”
UK protesters speak out against war on Iran
By our reporters, 13 January 2020
WSWS reporters spoke to attendees at Saturday’s demonstrations in the UK against the danger of war in Iran.
French strikers march as Prime Minister Philippe offers cosmetic changes to pension cuts
By Alex Lantier and Anthony Torres, 13 January 2020
Hundreds of thousands of strikers and “yellow vests” marched against French President Emmanuel Macron’s pension cuts Saturday.
Spain’s new PSOE-Podemos government commits itself to austerity and war
By Alejandro López, 13 January 2020
Described by its architects as Spain’s most progressive government since the Second Republic (1931-1939), it is in fact committed to austerity, repression and militarism.
Erdoğan and Putin open TurkStream pipeline after Iran strikes US bases in Iraq
By Ulaş Ateşci, 11 January 2020
The opening of this strategic pipeline comes amid escalating conflicts over energy in the region and an esclalating conflict between the United States and Iran.
UK: Corbyn offers no fight against war with Iran
By Thomas Scripps, 11 January 2020
Corbyn articulates the concerns within ruling circles, including Johnson’s Tories and the armed forces, that Trump’s recklessness can endanger the UK’s world position.
UK police fire stun guns 2,500 times as deployment of weapon escalates
By Dennis Moore, 11 January 2020
The use of stun guns has sparked controversy since their introduction, following the growing numbers of deaths they have caused when deployed.
Germany: Response to satirical children’s video exposes self-censorship of the media
By Dietmar Gaisenkersting, 11 January 2020
The week before Christmas, German broadcaster WDR posted an online video of a children’s choir singing an updated version of a satirical song, triggering hysterical denunciations.
World famous pianist Igor Levit victim of anti-Semitic death threats
By Marianne Arens, 11 January 2020
The fact that a Jewish pianist cannot perform publicly without protection indicates the extent of the current turn to the right in German politics.
European powers support war preparations against Iran
By Peter Schwarz, 11 January 2020
Not a single leading European politician condemned the brutal murder of General Qassem Suleimani, which represented a gross violation of international law and massively expanded the ongoing regional war in the Middle East.
After four years of Corbyn, Blairite Sir Keir Starmer frontrunner in UK Labour leadership contest
By Robert Stevens, 9 January 2020
Such is Corbyn’s political legacy in preserving the Blairites domination of the PLP that Starmer was the first candidate to secure the necessary nominations to go forward, including the backing of a major union, Unison.
After Suleimani murder, New Anti-capitalist Party backs US war on Iran
By Alex Lantier, 9 January 2020
The NPA advances the lie that Iran, a former colonial country, is in fact an imperialist power attacking Washington and slanders Suleimani personally as a mass murderer.
Corbyn grovels to Privy Council, seeking to block mass anti-war movement
By Laura Tiernan, 8 January 2020
Corbyn’s letter to Johnson was framed as a defence of British national security interests and exhibited Corbyn’s trademark deference to the state.
Podemos enters Spanish government
By Alex Lantier, 8 January 2020
The formation of the government capped two months of manoeuvres within the Spanish ruling elite after the November 10 elections produced yet another hung parliament.
PSOE-Podemos loses investiture vote as Spanish right attacks Catalan government
By Alejandro López, 8 January 2020
On Sunday, acting Socialist Party (PSOE) Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez failed in a first vote to obtain the required majority to establish a government in coalition with the pseudo-left Podemos party.
New Year’s Eve in Leipzig: German media and police spread false reports about left-wing violence
By Christopher Lehmann and Christoph Vandreier, 8 January 2020
The aim of the latest campaign surrounding the events in Leipzig is to intimidate anyone who stands in the way of the far right.
Germany: Greens join Saxony coalition government’s right-wing agenda
By Martin Nowak, 8 January 2020
Shortly before the end of the year, the new state government in Saxony was sworn in. For the first time, a coalition of Christian Democrats, Social Democrats and Greens is taking over the government in the East German state.
Britain backs US war drive against Iran
By Robert Stevens, 6 January 2020
Whatever the qualms in British ruling circles about the grave implications of war in the Middle East, the UK is already involved—as America's closest ally—in a potential war against Iran.
Conservative Austrian People’s Party to form government with Greens
By Markus Salzmann and Peter Schwarz, 6 January 2020
The Greens have seamlessly filled the shoes of the far-right Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ), securing a majority for inhumane, pro-corporate, and law-and-order policies.
German authorities shut down investigations into far-right and state crimes
By Dietmar Gaisenkersting, 6 January 2020
The closing of the year 2019 has confirmed that the revival of the far right in Germany is principally due to policies pursued by the country’s ruling elite.
German defence minister supports combat operations in Africa
By Gregor Link and Peter Schwarz, 4 January 2020
Over the holidays, Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer reiterated her call for a massive expansion of the Franco-German campaign in the Sahel region.
In New Year’s address, French President Macron pledges to impose austerity despite mass strike
By Alex Lantier, 4 January 2020
In his perfunctory eighteen-minute speech Tuesday night, Macron made clear he intends to impose his pension cuts in the face of mass protests and strikes by the working class.
UK refusal to accept Scotland’s supply of haemophilia drugs resulted in thousands of deaths
By Robert Stevens, 4 January 2020
Blood supplied from contaminated sources led to thousands of people being infected with diseases such as hepatitis and HIV, and the deaths of nearly 3,000 people in the UK.
Russia, Ukraine reach last minute gas transit deal
By Jason Melanovski, 4 January 2020
The EU pushed for the Ukraine and Russia to accept a deal following the US announcement of sanctions against the Russian-German pipeline Nord Stream 2.
British fascists join Johnson’s Conservative Party
By Thomas Scripps, 3 January 2020
The Johnson government is an expression of the global rise of authoritarian and far right forces, sponsored by the ruling class as a necessary bulwark to confront social unrest and growing socialist sentiment.
Video shows Greek authorities performing illegal “push backs” at refugee crossing
By George Gallanis, 30 December 2019
A United Nations working group confirmed Greek authorities have been illegally deporting refugees for years, including under the Syriza government.
Poverty in Germany remains high, 2019 report finds
By Elisabeth Zimmermann, 30 December 2019
Although the poverty rate experienced a slight decline of 0.3 percentage points between 2017 and 2018, it remains at a high level and has even increased in some regions.
UK Muslims demand investigation of Conservative Party’s Islamophobia
By Jean Shaoul, 30 December 2019
Johnson put racism and Islamophobia at the heart of his election campaign, pitting Indian Hindu voters against Pakistani Muslim voters.
Julian Assange “slowly dying” and “often sedated” in Belmarsh prison
By Mike Head, 28 December 2019
Assange’s phone call highlights the danger that he could die in jail, effectively at the hands of the British, US and Australian governments.
Amiens railworkers vote to continue strike against French President Macron
By Antoine Lerougetel, 28 December 2019
Workers, students, teachers and “yellow vest” protesters came to support the strike, which has lasted since December 5 and shut down rail transport across France.
UK Johnson government launches anti-Gypsy/Traveller/Roma measures
By Paul Bond, 28 December 2019
Without enough authorised encampments, the proposal to allow police to seize Travellers’ caravans—their homes—and destroy their property would effectively criminalise the existence of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) communities.
Croatia: Right-wing Social Democrat wins first round of presidential elections
By Markus Salzmann, 28 December 2019
All candidates are deeply hated and discredited among broad sections of the population. Turnout in the elections was barely 39 percent.
UK Public Meetings:
The election of Boris Johnson and the failure of Corbynism
28 December 2019
The Socialist Equality Party (UK) is holding public meetings on the Labour Party’s general election debacle and the way forward for the working class based on the fight to build a new, genuinely socialist party.
“We’re sending a message: there will be no holiday truce”
Strikers call to step up class struggle against French President Macron
By Alex Lantier, 27 December 2019
The ongoing mass transit and public sector strike which is paralyzing much of transport in France to protest Macron’s pension cuts entered its fourth week today.
EU court rules jailed Catalan nationalist Junqueras had immunity
By Alejandro López, 23 December 2019
Madrid nevertheless kept Junqueras in jail over his role in the 2017 Catalan independence referendum and did not allow him to take his European parliament seat.
Assange gives evidence in Spanish case against security contractor
By Thomas Scripps, 21 December 2019
David Morales, a former Spanish military officer, is accused of spying on Assange in the Ecuadorian embassy and was charged in October with privacy violation, bribery and money laundering.
French unions work to end strike as government maintains pension cuts
By Anthony Torres, 21 December 2019
The unions are now calling for an end to strike action or using negotiations scheduled for January as a pretext to weaken workers’ resolve and betray the strike.
UK to leave European Union at end of January after Johnson passes Withdrawal Agreement
By Robert Stevens, 21 December 2019
A total of 38 Labour MPs defied Jeremy Corbyn’s instruction to oppose the bill.
UK Labour Party leadership contest begins after general election meltdown
By Robert Stevens, 21 December 2019
The bogus character of all claims that this is a leadership contest between “left” and “right” is epitomised by the fact that the two most prominent Blairite challengers are Corbyn’s Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer and his Shadow Foreign Minister Emily Thornberry.
Hungary’s government continues its assault on democratic rights
By Markus Salzmann, 21 December 2019
Last week, the Hungarian parliament, dominated by the right-wing Fidesz party, passed bills that represent a further step towards dictatorial forms of rule.
Vadim Rogovin’s Bolsheviks against Stalinism 1928–1933: Leon Trotsky and the Left Opposition
A magnificent account of Stalin’s opponents in the USSR
By Andrea Peters, 21 December 2019
Stalin’s rise was neither foreordained nor a natural outgrowth of the October Revolution. The Great Russian chauvinist and bureaucrat secured power in ferocious conflict with the proletariat, peasantry and cadre of the revolutionary socialist movement.
French unions meet prime minister to sell out mass strike to defend pensions
By Alex Lantier and Johannes Stern, 19 December 2019
While strikers are calling for an end to talks with the government, the unions are seeking a rotten compromise they can use to justify selling out the strike.
UK general election result confirms protracted death of the Labour Party
By Chris Marsden, 19 December 2019
Labour haemorrhaged support across the UK and among all sections of workers, young and old, from the north and south, those in favour of leaving the European Union and those for remaining.
Russia, Ukraine to resume talks on energy following Paris summit
By Jason Melanovski, 19 December 2019
The talks have resumed just after the US announced sanctions against Russia’s Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to Germany.
Nurses and health workers strike in Northern Ireland
By our reporters, 19 December 2019
Over 15,000 nurses and other health workers struck December 18 in Northern Ireland over pay and staffing.
Millions march against French pension cuts amid public sector strike
By our reporters, 18 December 2019
Some 1.8 million strikers, youth and retirees marched in opposition to President Emmanuel Macron’s plan to impose steep pension cuts.
Germany’s Left Party hails new SPD leadership and grand coalition
By Johannes Stern, 17 December 2019
The efforts to present Saskia Esken and Nobert Walter-Borjans as fighters for a “left-wing camp” that will introduce a new era of social democracy are patently absurd.
Build independent committees of action to bring down the Macron government in France!
By Alex Lantier, 17 December 2019
The strike movement in France is part of a global upsurge of the class struggle that has led to mass strikes and protests on every continent.
French strikers protest prime minister’s pledge to impose pension cuts
By Anthony Torres, 14 December 2019
Anger is mounting among workers after Edouard Philippe stressed he would push through his regressive program despite widespread strike action and popular opposition.
Julian Assange denied access to lawyers and vital evidence in US extradition case
By Thomas Scripps, 14 December 2019
It is clear that the fundamental legal rights of the WikiLeaks founder and world-famous investigative journalist are being trampled in what amounts to an extraordinary rendition.
The election of Boris Johnson and the failure of Corbynism
By Statement of the WSWS Editorial Board, 14 December 2019
The electoral debacle suffered by the Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn in the UK general election is yet another example of the political bankruptcy of what passes for the left and labour organisations.
Recording reveals pseudo-left La France Insoumise collusion with Macron in 2016
By Francis Dubois, 14 December 2019
The manoeuvres of LFI deputy François Ruffin with the former banker and future president have recently been exposed.
Johnson wins majority in UK election after collapse of Labour vote
By Chris Marsden, 13 December 2019
Johnson’s return consolidates the most right-wing government in post-war British history, with devastating consequences for the working class.
US renews insults and threats against North Korea
By Peter Symonds, 12 December 2019
The Trump administration has made clear that it has no intention of meeting North Korea’s end-of-year deadline for meaningful talks, thus setting the stage for confrontation and conflict.
French prime minister vows to impose pension cuts despite growing strikes
By Anthony Torres and Alex Lantier, 12 December 2019
In his speech, Edouard Philippe vowed to impose a pension cut opposed by two thirds of the population.
The Sun forced to delete article promoting fascist propaganda against UK left
By Paul Bond, 12 December 2019
The publication by the Sun of an article charging that Corbyn is the centre of a “hard-left extremist network” is part of an authoritarian turn by the ruling class.
Britain’s general election and the coming struggle of the working class for socialism
By Chris Marsden, 12 December 2019
Underlying the intensity of political conflicts is an historically unprecedented social polarisation between the classes that is now beginning to find expression in a global eruption of the class struggle.
Mass marches and strikes against Macron’s pension cuts continue across France
By Alex Lantier, 11 December 2019
Rail, mass transit and broader sections of the French public sector continued strikes begun on December 5 in an emerging trial of strength between the workers and Macron.
Labour’s pose as defender of the National Health Service exposed
By Robert Stevens, 11 December 2019
Labour’s claim to be the only party that will defend the NHS is the main reason many support the party. But like most of its main pledges, this too is without genuine substance.
Germany: SPD congress backs grand coalition government as class struggle intensifies
By Ulrich Rippert, 11 December 2019
The new SPD leadership is making hollow reformist promises in the hope of controlling growing anti-capitalist sentiment in the working class.
Strikes continue in Finland after Social Democrat prime minister resigns
By Jordan Shilton, 11 December 2019
The broad support for the postal workers was driven by sustained austerity measures implemented by successive governments.
London: Attendees at Socialist Equality Party’s general election rally speak
“The Socialist Equality Party has one goal and that’s what I feel most inclined toward, the class struggle”
By our reporters, 11 December 2019
WSWS reporters spoke to some of those who attended the Socialist Equality Party’s general election rally in London on Sunday.
SEP (UK) candidate Dennis Leech speaks at hustings in Manchester
By our reporter, 11 December 2019
Leech emphasised the global campaign to free WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and prevent his extradition to the US.
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.
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