Europe
France: How the Workers’ Struggle group is helping to shut down the Aulnay car plant
By Antoine Lerougetel and Pierre Mabut, 17 June 2013
On May 17, CGT branch spokesman Jean-Pierre Mercier signed a deal that puts the seal on the Aulnay car plant’s closure by 2014.
Turkey, Syria and the hypocrisy of US imperialism
By Bill Van Auken, 14 June 2013
The social upheavals in Turkey, arguably Washington’s most important regional ally, have torn to shreds the phony democratic pretenses and exposed the hypocrisy of US policy in the region.
US-backed Turkish government threatens violent crackdown
By Johannes Stern, 14 June 2013
The US-backed Turkish government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is preparing for a massive police crackdown on anti-government protests.
Tens of thousands protest closure of public television in Greece
By Christoph Dreier, 14 June 2013
Tens of thousands of workers protested the closure of the Greek public broadcaster on Thursday, defying threats of arrest.
Germany: The SPD’s new press spokesman
By Peter Schwarz, 14 June 2013
The more the SPD tries to improve its electoral chances, the clearer it becomes that it supports the current government’s right-wing policies.
Student killed by fascists in central Paris
By Pierre Mabut, 14 June 2013
An 18-year-old student and anti-fascist was beaten to death by a group of fascist thugs June 5 near the St. Lazare rail station in central Paris.
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
14 June 2013
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
European governments in crisis over US spying revelations
By Stefan Steinberg, 12 June 2013
European politicians and media outlets have complained of the American surveillance operation, while at the same time defending the right of their own national governments to spy on the population at large.
Swiss referendum on asylum law
By Marianne Arens, 11 June 2013
A referendum was held Sunday on proposals to strengthen the law against asylum seekers.
Alter-Summit in Athens: A pseudo-left response to growing social opposition in Europe
By Christoph Dreier, 11 June 2013
Trade unions and pseudo-left groups organized a so-called Alter-Summit in Athens, backing the European Union institutions that impose austerity throughout Europe.
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
7 June 2013
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Flooding ravages central Europe
By our correspondents, 5 June 2013
Large areas of Germany and other regions in Europe have been hit by the worst floods since the so-called “flood of the century” in 2002.
Britain’s Accident and Emergency services reach breaking point
By Mark Blackwood and Ajanta Silva, 4 June 2013
Scenes of A&E units with patients waiting to be seen lying on trolleys in corridors for hours have become commonplace in UK hospitals.
UN warns against social unrest in Europe
By Christoph Dreier, 4 June 2013
In the face of rising social inequality, growing unemployment and the absence of popular confidence in the region’s governments, the International Labour Organization (ILO) warned Monday about the prospect of social unrest in Europe,
Spanish Popular Party government seeks to turn back the clock on abortion rights
By Alejandro López, 4 June 2013
The right-wing Popular Party government is seeking to reform abortion laws, returning them to a state similar to that which existed under the fascist regime of General Franco.
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
31 May 2013
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Greek government divided over “anti-racist” law
By Christoph Dreier, 30 May 2013
Tensions have risen in the Greek government over draft legislation against racist incitement and state financing of the fascist party Golden Dawn.
Germany’s Left Party supports austerity in Bulgaria
By Peter Schwarz, 30 May 2013
Hans Modrow, chair of the Left Party’s council of elders, has pledged his unreserved support for the Bulgarian Socialist Party and the government it hopes to lead.
Spanish government imposes more austerity measures
By Alejandro López, 30 May 2013
Spain’s Popular Party government has announced another raft of measures aimed at slashing the budget deficit to the European Union’s 3 percent target by 2016.
Top UK universities call for cuts to funding for poorer students
By Joan Smith and Paul Mitchell, 30 May 2013
According to the Times, vice-chancellors at Britain’s Russell group of 24 top research universities are “privately urging” government ministers to cut funding used to support poorer students.
Trade unions in alliance with management against Berlin transport workers
By Franz Schobert and Carola Kleinert, 29 May 2013
Verdi and the Municipal Employers’ Association (CAV) reached a deal last week for the 13,000 workers at Berlin’s transport company BVG.
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown leads Labour’s intervention in Scottish independence referendum
By Steve James, 28 May 2013
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s intervention into the Scottish independence referendum is driven by Labour’s concern over its implications for Britain’s ruling elite.
Soldier attacked while on security patrol in Paris
By Antoine Lerougetel, 28 May 2013
On Saturday a lone assailant stabbed a uniformed French soldier in the throat, three days after the gruesome murder by machete of an off-duty British soldier in London.
German city gives municipal clinic away to private operator
By Marianne Arens, 28 May 2013
The Offenbach town council has sold the municipally owned clinic to the Sana corporation for the symbolic price of one euro.
PSG campaigns in Berlin to stand in federal elections
By our correspondents, 28 May 2013
The Partei für Soziale Gleichheit is currently collecting signatures at job centres, in factories and in working class communities to be able to participate in the federal elections in September.
UK soldier killed in London in reprisal for Afghanistan and Iraq wars
By Robert Stevens, 24 May 2013
The killing of soldier Lee Rigby in Woolwich, London on Wednesday was the horrific result of the crimes committed by British imperialism in North Africa and the Middle East.
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
24 May 2013
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Works council in Bochum seeks to stifle opposition to GM-Opel plant closing
By Dietmar Henning, 24 May 2013
The chairman of the works council at the GM-Opel factory in Bochum called a meeting at the plant gate which halted production for several hours following the recent confirmation by management that it planned to close the plant.
ThyssenKrupp to slash 3,000 jobs
By Elizabeth Zimmermann, 22 May 2013
ThyssenKrupp CEO Heinrich Hiesinger announced the axing of a further 3,000 jobs worldwide.
Germany: Parliamentary inquiry into neo-Nazi murders concludes
By Peter Schwarz, 21 May 2013
The federal prosecutor and judges in the neo-Nazi NSU trial want to limit further revelations about state involvement in the group’s series of murders.
Spain’s Popular Party faces wave of strikes and demonstrations
By Alejandro López, 21 May 2013
A social explosion is brewing in Spain, where there have been at least 27 demonstrations since the beginning of the year.
Slovenian government adopts another austerity programme
By Markus Salzmann, 21 May 2013
Seven weeks after taking power, Slovenia’s centre-left governing coalition adopted a new austerity programme and presented it to the EU commission.
Unions sabotage Irish bus workers strike
By Jordan Shilton, 17 May 2013
According to reports, up to 95 percent of services were affected, including major routes in Dublin and longer inter-city connections.
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
17 May 2013
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Greek teachers defy military mobilisation orders
By Christoph Dreier, 16 May 2013
Greek teachers have voted to oppose the mobilisation order of the government and begin strike action on Friday.
Euro zone contracts for sixth consecutive quarter
By Andre Damon, 16 May 2013
The euro area economy contracted by 0.2 percent in the first quarter of this year, which was followed by further calls for austerity.
Russia: Deputy Prime Minister Surkov resigns
By Clara Weiss, 16 May 2013
On May 8, President Vladimir Putin approved the “voluntary resignation” of Deputy Prime Minister Vladislav Surkov, universally regarded as “number two in the Kremlin”.
France: Three die in fire at Roma squat
By Antoine Lerougetel, 16 May 2013
Three Roma, two women and a 12-year-old child, died in a fire in an abandoned factory in Lyon.
Greek protests against ban on strikes
By Christoph Dreier, 14 May 2013
Greek police served 88,000 high school teachers with civil mobilization orders on Monday.
Germany: Opel Bochum workers denounce union sellout
By our correspondents, 11 May 2013
GM Opel workers are incensed over the betrayal carried out by the IG Metall trade union.
Britain’s Queen’s speech: Anti-immigrant rhetoric in support of austerity
By Julie Hyland, 11 May 2013
By scapegoating immigrants as undeserving “scroungers”, the government intends to deny people, including European Union citizens, the right to access public services, including welfare, health care and housing.
Irish Labour Party in deep crisis
By Jordan Shilton, 11 May 2013
Since entering government with Fine Gael in 2011, Labour has taken the lead in wielding the axe to public spending.
German Left Party’s Oskar Lafontaine calls for return to national currencies
By Christoph Dreier, 11 May 2013
The founder and former chair of the Left Party, Oskar Lafontaine, is proposing the reintroduction of national currencies to drive down wages.
Marx 21 Congress: Anti-Marxists meet in Berlin
By Johannes Stern, 11 May 2013
The congress of the Marx 21 group taking place this weekend in Berlin is a shabby operation aimed at promoting right-wing and imperialist policies under a pseudo-left garb.
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
10 May 2013
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Lufthansa: Verdi union agrees to 30 percent pay cut for airline workers
By Ernst Wolff, 9 May 2013
Verdi union negotiators have approved the setting up of three low-cost subsidiaries at Lufthansa, the largest European airline, paying up to 30 percent lower wages.
Europe on the eve of mass working class struggles
By Ulrich Rippert, 7 May 2013
Against the background of the greatest economic crisis since the 1930s, the European Union is showing its true face—that of a dictatorship of finance capital.
Germany: Verdi union accepts cuts to real wages at Lufthansa
By Ernst Wolff, 7 May 2013
Following strikes by its Lufthansa members, Verdi has capitulated to management.
French unions back closure of PSA Aulnay auto factory
By Anthony Torres, 7 May 2013
On Monday, auto maker PSA’s central works council authorized a redundancy scheme to close PSA’s plant at Aulnay, near Paris.
France: What is Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s May 5 protest?
By Antoine Lerougetel and Alex Lantier, 4 May 2013
A class gulf separates the explosive anger and opposition to austerity that is building in the working class across Europe from establishment figures like Mélenchon.
Euro zone unemployment hits record high for 23rd consecutive month
By Andre Damon and Stefan Steinberg, 2 May 2013
Unemployment in the euro zone hit another record in March, with no end in sight to the economic and social catastrophe gripping Europe.
No retreat from austerity in Italy
By Chris Marsden, 2 May 2013
Enrico Letta heads a coalition tasked with continuing the savage austerity measures begun under Mario Monti.
Greek unions hold one-day general strike
By Robert Stevens, 2 May 2013
Public transport ground to a halt in the capital Athens, with no train or ferry services operating.
UAW chief stabs German Opel workers in the back
By Jerry White, 2 May 2013
United Auto Workers President Bob King called on workers at General Motors’ Opel factory in Bochum, Germany to vote again on a concessions-laden contract.
More mass layoffs in Greece
By Christoph Dreier, 30 April 2013
The Greek parliament has voted to dismiss 15,500 public service workers and slash the minimum wage.
Amid jobs collapse, French President Hollande backs austerity in Europe
By Alex Lantier, 30 April 2013
With 26 million workers unemployed in Europe, Hollande is signaling that he will keep supporting social cuts that are devastating the French and European economies.
UK base carrying out Afghan drone strikes
By Robert Stevens, 30 April 2013
A specially created mission base in Lincolnshire, England is directing drone strikes on Afghanistan.
Danish government forces teachers to work longer hours without pay
By Christoph Dreier, 27 April 2013
The Danish parliament passed a special law Friday stipulating that school teachers must work extra hours and accept more flexibility, without pay.
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
26 April 2013
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Political issues in the teachers’ lockout in Denmark
By Christoph Dreier, 25 April 2013
The lockout of tens of thousands of Danish teachers by the state marks a new stage in the class struggle in Europe.
Protest strike by teachers in Berlin
By Ute Reissner, 25 April 2013
Some 8,000 teachers were called out on a one-day protest strike in Berlin on Tuesday.
70,000 Danish teachers locked out
By Helmut Arens and Christoph Dreier, 24 April 2013
In a historically unprecedented act, the Danish government has locked out 70,000 high school teachers for more than three weeks.
European Union cites Boston attack to justify major anti-terrorist operation
By Chris Marsden, 24 April 2013
On April 17 and 18, anti-terrorist units of numerous European Union member states participated in an operation involving simulated terrorist attacks in nine different countries.
One-day Lufthansa strike grounds flights in Germany
By Ernst Wolff, 24 April 2013
A strike by Lufthansa ground crew on Monday led to the cancellation of flights at airports across Germany.
Spain: Polls show support for all parties, unions and monarchy at record low
By Alejandro López, 24 April 2013
The huge decline in support for the political parties, trade unions, and the monarchy can only mean huge social struggles are on the horizon.
Official opposition protests Montenegro presidential election result
By Ognjen Markovic, 24 April 2013
Both candidates in the recent presidential election in Montenegro support the austerity policies of the European Union.
German media, politicians praise Obama for military-police lockdown of Boston
By Johannes Stern, 23 April 2013
Commentaries in the media and by leading political figures on the events in Boston throw a spotlight on the undemocratic character of the German ruling elite.
UK: 50,000 march to save Stafford Hospital
By Ben York and Paul Mitchell, 23 April 2013
The massive turnout to protest plans to close Stafford Hospital testifies to the determination of local residents and hospital staff to protect services.
Mass evictions continue in Spain
By Franci Vier and Paul Mitchell, 23 April 2013
None of the main demands of the anti-evictions petition launched by the Mortgage Victims Platform have been included in a new law by the Popular Party.
Irish public sector workers reject austerity package
By Jordan Shilton, 22 April 2013
The vote was a rejection of the attempts by government officials to blackmail workers into accepting the deal with the threat of further cuts, as well as the trade union bureaucracy's support for the agreement.
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
19 April 2013
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
German SPD conference approves election program
By Christoph Dreier, 18 April 2013
The Social Democratic Party Augsburg conference sent a clear message that the party agrees with the Merkel government’s austerity policy.
Britain’s involvement in assassination of Congo’s Lumumba confirmed
By Jean Shaoul, 18 April 2013
A senior British politician has revealed Britain’s involvement in the 1961 assassination of Patrice Lumumba, the Congo’s first prime minister.
German Defence Minister prevented from speaking at Berlin’s Humboldt University
By Ernst Wolff, 16 April 2013
Protesting students in Berlin prevented Germany’s Defence Minister Thomas from delivering a lecture.
British banks engulfed in new scandals
By Jordan Shilton, 16 April 2013
The Parliamentary Commission on Banking declared that HBOS crashed after a lack of risk controls, rapid and aggressive expansion and poor management amounting to a “colossal failure” on the part of bank executives
Health workers in southern England forced to sign new low-pay contracts
By Ajanta Silva, 16 April 2013
TQtwentyone, a large National Health Service provider operating in southern England, is seeking to cut workers’ pay, terms and conditions.
Cahuzac affair exposes bankruptcy of French petty-bourgeois “left”
By Anthony Torres, 16 April 2013
The scandal over tax evasion by former Budget Minister Jérôme Cahuzac, which has destabilised the government of President François Hollande, exposes the entire French political establishment.
Norwegian trade unions avert national strike
By Robert Stevens, 12 April 2013
A deal on pay will mean a minuscule raise, wholly in the interests of the employers.
The Cypriot bailout marks a new stage in the euro crisis
By Christoph Dreier, 11 April 2013
Fifty-five years after the founding of the European Economic Community, the project of unifying Europe on a capitalist basis has been irrevocably shattered by the global economic crisis.
British parliament unites in praise of Margaret Thatcher
By Julie Hyland, 11 April 2013
The recall of Britain’s parliament was the occasion for the government and opposition Labour Party to applaud Margaret Thatcher’s right-wing nostrums and assault on the working class.
The attack on UK health care and the case of Leeds General Infirmary
By Liz Smith, 11 April 2013
The ongoing crisis of Leeds General Infirmary, in which child heart surgery provision was suspended, reveals the grave consequences of the deliberate running down of National Health Service resources.
Germany: Bundestag allows police access to private PINs and passwords
By Johann Müller, 11 April 2013
Revisions to the German Telecommunication Act legalise the monitoring of private data stored on mobile phones and in the Internet.
Stalinist daily l’Humanité defends French government in Cahuzac scandal
By Olivier Laurent, 11 April 2013
The Stalinist daily’s April 3 editorial on ex-budget minister Jérôme Cahuzac’s confession to tax evasion defends the Socialist Party government.
European Union demands cuts after Portuguese court rules bailout unconstitutional
By Paul Mitchell, 9 April 2013
The Portuguese Constitutional Court’s ruling against EU budget cuts reveals the politically criminal and illegal basis of the pan-European onslaught on the working class.
European Union imposes austerity bailout on Cyprus
By Robert Stevens, 9 April 2013
The terms dictated to Cyprus by the European Union in exchange for a bailout are predicated on the destruction of the pay and conditions of the working class.
Britain: South West NHS Pay Cartel publishes plans to cut wages and conditions
By Ajanta Silva, 9 April 2013
The final business plan of the National Health Service management in the south west of England serves as a blueprint for reducing the pay and conditions for workers throughout the NHS.
Hundreds of workers at Goss International France lose their jobs
By Gustav Kemper, 8 April 2013
Web offset giant Goss International intensifies its redundancy program, laying off 430 workers.
Class war in Europe
By Julie Hyland, 4 April 2013
The punitive measures imposed on Cyprus mark a qualitative deepening of the European bourgeoisie’s class war offensive.
Largest ever welfare cuts come into force in Britain
By Paul Mitchell, 4 April 2013
This month, historic cuts in welfare provision come into force, driving millions further into destitution.
European unemployment rises for 22nd consecutive month
By Stefan Steinberg, 4 April 2013
The latest figures from the Eurostat statistics office confirm that the continent’s economic recession is taking a rising toll on jobs and living standards.
French Budget Minister Cahuzac resigns over hidden bank account
By Olivier Laurent and Alex Lantier, 4 April 2013
France’s Socialist Party government in crisis after its former budget minister admitted to lying about a Swiss bank account hidden from tax authorities.
As government crisis drags on
Italian president appoints expert commissions
By Marianne Arens, 4 April 2013
The ruling class in Italy is desperately seeking to override the election result of February 25 and develop a political mechanism to continue the austerity policies that were decisively rejected by the electorate.
SYRIZA makes political pact with the nationalist right
By Christoph Dreier, 4 April 2013
The alliance with right-wing nationalists clearly shows SYRIZA’s class character.
Greek parliament overturns right to free, universal education
By Robert Stevens, 2 April 2013
The cynically-named Athena Plan, calling for mass closures of universities and technical institutions, was passed in flagrant violation of the Greek constitution.
Reports reveal rapid pauperisation of the Spanish working class
By Alejandro López, 2 April 2013
Recent statistical surveys attest to the massive drop in working class living standards in Spain since the onset of the global financial crisis.
After Cyprus, more austerity in Greece
By Robert Stevens, 30 March 2013
Fresh from its financial looting of Cyprus, the European bourgeoisie is threatening to withhold funds from Greece unless it complies with mass sackings in the public sector.
UK health regulator reports on poor care of the elderly
By Ajanta Silva, 30 March 2013
The UK’s Care Quality Commission has produced a report documenting the severe deterioration in the quality of care for elderly people.
IG Metall union joins offensive against GM-Opel workers
By Dietmar Henning, 30 March 2013
The executive of the IG Metall trade union unanimously voted in Frankfurt-Main in favor of the so-called “Opel Master Contract”, sealing the closure of the GM-Opel factory in Bochum.
Spain: Sacked Delphi workers confront trade unions
By Vicky Short, 29 March 2013
Sacked Delphi workers in Cadiz clashed with trade union officials during an official celebration called by the Socialist Party-Communist Party regional government.
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
29 March 2013
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Follow us on