Northern Europe
Irish Fianna Fail/Green coalition prepares major budget cuts
By Steve James, October 24, 2009
Ireland’s ruling coalition of Fianna Fail and the Green Party are preparing a confrontation with the working class.
Norwegian election dominated by debates over oil fund
By Jordan Shilton, October 22, 2009
On October 13, Norway’s re-elected coalition government led by Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg announced its 2010 budget amid claims that the country had weathered the global economic downturn.
Swedish government to provide backing to Saab sale
By Jordan Shilton, October 15, 2009
Sweden’s right-wing Alliance government announced on October 7 that it would provide support to the bid of the Koenigsegg Group to take over automaker Saab.
Norwegian pension fund breaks silence on Volkswagen-Porsche takeover scandal
By Patrick Richter, October 15, 2009
Volkswagen is rescuing the oligarch clan Piëch/Porsche from its failed speculation and giving it more than €4.5 billion.
One year since banking collapse, Iceland’s crisis deepens
By Jordan Shilton, October 12, 2009
Over the course of several days last October, Iceland’s banking system collapsed.
Irish referendum endorses European Union’s Lisbon Treaty
By Steve James, October 5, 2009
The European Union’s Lisbon Treaty has been endorsed by Irish voters in Friday’s referendum by a majority of 67 percent of voters to 33 percent.
Ireland: Vote “No” to the Lisbon Treaty
For the United Socialist States of Europe
By Socialist Equality Parties of the UK and Germany, October 1, 2009
The Socialist Equality Parties of the UK and Germany call for a “No” vote in the Irish referendum on the European Union’s Lisbon Treaty on Friday, October 2.
UN climate change meeting
No agreement between major powers on carbon emissions
By Tom Eley, September 23, 2009
Tuesday’s global warming summit failed to ease differences among the major powers in advance of a December treaty conference in Copenhagen.
Strikes and occupations spread across Ireland
By Jordan Shilton, September 7, 2009
Recent strikes and occupations in Ireland have involved dockers at Dublin ports, medical workers in County Tipperary, Health Services Executive employees and workers at Coca Cola.
Sweden: Koenigsegg bid to buy Saab under threat
By Jordan Shilton, August 27, 2009
Having announced in June that it was set to purchase Saab, there is a strong possibility that the consortium Koenigsegg Group AB may be unable to finance its bid.
Iceland’s parliament votes to apply for European Union membership
By Jordan Shilton, July 25, 2009
On July 16, Iceland’s parliament (Althingi) voted by 33 votes to 28 to apply for membership of the European Union.
Iceland: Government and trade unions impose IMF austerity measures
By Jordan Shilton, July 14, 2009
On June 26, a comprehensive agreement was announced between Iceland’s government, trade unions and employers’ organisations containing plans for sharp public spending cuts and tax hikes.
