Northern Europe
Sweden’s “herd immunity” policy produces disaster
By Bryan Dyne, 14 December 2020
Sweden’s response to the pandemic, which involved allowing schools and businesses to stay open while most of the world enacted lockdowns, was hailed as a model by all sections of the US and European political establishment.
Revelation of US government conspiracy on COVID-19 exposes EU herd immunity policy
By Alex Lantier, 12 September 2020
Revelations that US officials conspired to lie to the public about the severity of the coronavirus pandemic also expose the politically criminal role of the EU.
Local lockdowns in West Yorkshire following UK workplace outbreaks
By Barry Mason, 10 August 2020
The Kirklees area has had several workplace-based outbreaks of COVID-19, including at the Kober meat processing plant in Cleckheaton.
Air France-KLM prepares to slash at least 6,000 jobs
By Anthony Torres, 20 June 2020
After receiving a €7 billion public bailout, the French-Dutch airline is preparing to slash between 6,000 and 10,000 jobs amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
999 Coronavirus and Scandinavia
14 March 2020
Social Democrats return to government in Denmark with xenophobic programme
By Dietmar Gaisenkersting, 8 June 2019
The Social Democrats want to limit immigration from non-Western states and set up reception centres for asylum seekers outside the country.
The European elections and the resurgence of the class struggle
By Alex Lantier, 30 May 2019
The EU elections revealed the deep discrediting of the political establishment and its imperviousness to growing demands from the working class for political change.
Half of all land in England owned by less than one percent of the population
By Margot Miller, 27 April 2019
The aristocracy and gentry still own 30 percent of the land, while 18 percent is owned by corporations and a staggering 17 percent is in the possession of oligarchs and bankers.
Bond yields fall as fears rise over global economic growth
By Nick Beams, 11 June 2016
As the pile of negative yielding government debt passes the $10 trillion mark, it has been described as a “supernova that will explode one day.”
US-Russia tensions flare in Baltic Sea
By Jordan Shilton, 18 April 2016
Washington’s aggressive military build-up throughout Eastern Europe, in close collaboration with its NATO allies, has brought the entire region to the brink of war between nuclear powers.
Thousands of jobs threatened in North Sea oil and gas industry
By Stephen Alexander, 1 February 2016
As many as 200,000 oil-related jobs could be lost in the UK.
Finland government commits to austerity, moves towards NATO membership
By Jordan Shilton, 3 June 2015
The new government plans to implement a significant shift in foreign policy, integrating Finland still further into the US-led anti-Russian NATO alliance.
Governing parties suffer defeat in Finnish elections
By Roger Jordan, 29 April 2015
The aggressive US-led drive to encircle Russia in eastern Europe and the Baltic will be one of the main issues confronting the incoming administration.
Nordic countries sign defence cooperation agreement aimed at Russia
By Jordan Shilton, 16 April 2015
With the full backing of US imperialism, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Finland and Sweden are committing themselves to transforming the region into yet another flashpoint with Moscow.
Dutch Labor Party collapses in provincial elections
By Josh Varlin, 10 April 2015
Amid mass abstention, voters dealt a sharp rebuff to the Netherlands’ ruling liberal and social-democratic parties.
Two detained on charges of aiding Copenhagen terror attack
By Chris Marsden, 17 February 2015
More details have emerged regarding the alleged gunman's biography, confirming how well-known he was to police.
Thousands march against water charges in Dublin and other Irish cities
By our reporters, 2 February 2015
The water charges are supported by the Dublin government as part of the multi-billion euro bailout programme concluded with the Troika in 2010.
German Chancellor Merkel backs police state measures and militarism
By Johannes Stern, 19 January 2015
The German ruling elite is using the Charlie Hebdo affair to advance an agenda it has long been preparing: the dismantling of democratic rights and Germany’s return to an aggressive foreign policy.
UK Tories outline next phase of their war on working class
By Robert Stevens, 1 October 2014
The Conservative Party’s plan to freeze welfare benefits will leave low-income families with children between £350 and £500 a year worse off.
Outburst of loyalist violence in Northern Ireland
By Steve James, 12 December 2012
Rioting followed a decision by Belfast City Council to restrict the number of days on which Britain’s Union flag flies over Belfast City Hall.
Irish budget deepens misery for working people
By Jordan Shilton, 11 December 2012
Ireland’s sixth austerity budget in less than five years will intensify the attacks on working people.
Irish unions make show of opposition to new austerity measures
By Jordan Shilton and Dermot Quinn, 28 November 2012
The president of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Eugene McGlone, was booed as he started to speak at last Saturday’s anti-austerity march in Dublin.
Lithuanian voters punish conservative government for austerity measures
By Markus Salzmann, 7 November 2012
Neither the Social Democratic Party nor Viktor Uspaskich’s Labour Party offer Lithuania any alternative to the previous government’s course of grinding austerity.
Iceland holds referendum on new constitution
By Jordan Shilton, 7 November 2012
A referendum in Iceland on October 21 saw voters approve several amendments that could result in the redrafting of the country’s constitution.
Irish teachers demonstrate in Dublin against pay cuts
By Jordan Shilton, 31 October 2012
A protest of between 2,000 and 3,000 teachers took place outside the Irish parliament last Wednesday.
Conflicts within EU stall Irish debt deal
By Jordan Shilton, 27 October 2012
The Irish government’s aim of securing a write-down on state debt by the end of October has failed amid growing conflicts within the European Union.
The consequences of austerity in Latvia
By Markus Salzmann, 18 October 2012
In the midst of deepening social distress, Latvia has been praised by numerous institutions and the media as a role model for the success of austerity policies.
Irish financial elite presses government for deeper austerity
By Jordan Shilton, 11 October 2012
The impact of the on-going global economic crisis on Ireland has prompted demands from the financial elite that the government expand its austerity measures.
Caterpillar to sack 920 workers at FG Wilson, Northern Ireland
By Steve James, 19 September 2012
Caterpillar Inc.’s decision to shift diesel generator production from Northern Ireland to China will cost 760 staff and 160 agency workers their jobs.
Calls grow for slashing pensions in Ireland
By Jordan Shilton, 19 September 2012
A report leaked to the Irish Times has revealed that the fund out of which pensions and social welfare benefits are paid is running an annual deficit of €1.5 billion.
Ireland: Behind Clare Daly’s resignation from Socialist Party
By Dermot Quinn, 17 September 2012
Dublin North member of parliament and long-standing Socialist Party member Clare Daly has announced she has resigned from the party.
IMF urges “more clarity” on Ireland’s austerity plans
By Jordan Shilton, 13 September 2012
The International Monetary Fund has demanded the Irish government lay out detailed plans on how it will slash spending over the next four years.
Sectarian violence erupts in Northern Ireland
By Jordan Shilton, 7 September 2012
Sectarian violence has again flared up on the streets of Belfast.
Support for break with euro grows within Finnish ruling elite
By Jordan Shilton, 1 September 2012
As the crisis in the euro zone deepens, with the possibility of a Greek exit, sections of Finland’s ruling elite are openly considering ditching the currency.
Norwegian mass murderer Breivik sentenced to 21 years
By Jordan Shilton, 25 August 2012
The Oslo District Court yesterday ruled that fascist mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik was sane and handed down the maximum sentence of 21 years imprisonment for his homicidal attacks in July 2011.
Norwegian government report whitewashes Breivik terror attacks
By Jordan Shilton, 23 August 2012
While concluding that authorities could have prevented Anders Breivik’s July 22, 2011 massacre, the official review obscures the political nature of the attacks.
Irish economy remains fragile
By Jordan Shilton, 22 August 2012
Ireland’s economy remains deep in crisis, with all signs pointing to a further downturn as the European Union enters recession.
Wave of strikes across Norway
By Jordan Shilton, 21 July 2012
Last week, Norway’s Labour-led government stepped in to impose compulsory arbitration on striking oil workers, with the threat of an industry-wide lockout looming.
Orange march triggers riot in Belfast
By Steve James, 18 July 2012
Backed by large numbers of riot police, and authorised by Northern Ireland’s Parades Commission, a small group of Orangemen marched 300 metres past shops adjoining the nationalist working-class Ardoyne area on Belfast’s Crumlin Road July 12.
Unions block fightback at Ireland’s Bord Na Mona
By Jordan Shilton, 16 July 2012
The 1,500 workforce at utility firm Bord Na Mona are in danger of being sold out by the trade union bureaucracy.
Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness greets British monarch
By Jordan Shilton and Chris Marsden, 6 July 2012
The brief meeting of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Martin McGuinness has been widely hailed as a “historic” event.
Calls for debt restructuring grow as Ireland faces recession
By Jordan Shilton, 30 June 2012
Each passing week brings with it new figures showing the rapid deterioration in Ireland’s economic outlook.
Nokia dismisses 10,000 employees
By Sybille Fuchs, 23 June 2012
Finnish mobile phone manufacturer Nokia has announced a new wave of mass layoffs, supported by the works council and trade unions.
Ireland: Disgraced property developer Mick Wallace and the United Left Alliance
By Dermot Quinn, 21 June 2012
For over a week, the Irish media has been reporting on the plight of Mick Wallace, a former building developer and restaurant operator who now sits in parliament.
Ireland: Unions complicit in job cuts at Pfizer
By Jordan Shilton, 16 June 2012
Pharmaceutical company Pfizer has announced the elimination of 177 jobs at its operations in Cork, Ireland.
Deepening euro crisis increases fears over Ireland
By Jordan Shilton, 11 June 2012
Mounting turmoil across the euro zone, focusing on concerns over Spain’s ability to borrow on the financial markets and the threat of a Greek exit, has seen Ireland’s economic outlook worsen sharply.
Ireland votes “Yes” to fiscal treaty amid deepening economic crisis
By Jordan Shilton, 2 June 2012
Yesterday’s referendum in Ireland saw 60 percent voting in favour of the European Union’s (EU) fiscal treaty, which was falsely portrayed as a guarantee of Ireland’s economic future.
Result of Ireland’s referendum on EU fiscal treaty due today
By Steve James and Chris Marsden, 1 June 2012
A yes vote on the European Union Fiscal Treaty would depend on fear generated by threats that the banks would respond to a no vote by cutting off credit to the Republic of Ireland.
Vote “No” in Ireland’s referendum on EU fiscal treaty
Socialist Equality Parties (UK and Germany), 30 May 2012
The Socialist Equality parties of Britain and Germany call for a “No” vote in the Irish Republic’s May 31 referendum on the European Union’s fiscal treaty.
Ireland: Unions shut down five-month occupation at Vita Cortex
By Jordan Shilton, 24 May 2012
A deal was reached between union representatives and the management of Vita Cortex earlier this month to end a long-running occupation by 32 employees of a former foam packing factory in Cork.
Irish referendum campaign offers workers no alternative
By Jordan Shilton, 14 May 2012
As Ireland’s referendum on the European Union fiscal treaty approaches, parties on both sides of the campaign are showing their readiness to deepen the attacks on working people.
Iceland’s former prime minister acquitted over role in financial crisis
By Jordan Shilton, 3 May 2012
Last week, Iceland’s high court, the Landsdómir, acquitted ex-Prime Minister Geir H. Haarde of all major charges in the case brought against him over his role in the 2008 financial crisis.
Anders Breivik and the Guardian: Suzanne Moore’s “sympathy for the devil” moment
By Chris Marsden, 26 April 2012
UK columnist Suzanne Moore has produced an opinion piece that expresses her understanding towards the xenophobic sentiments that ultimately gave rise to the mass murder committed by Anders Breivik.
The Breivik trial
By Jordan Shilton and Chris Marsden, 25 April 2012
The trial of mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik has been dominated by the testimony of the 33-year-old right-wing terrorist.
Fascist Anders Breivik defends mass killings as trial opens in Norway
By Jordan Shilton, 18 April 2012
On day two of his trial, Anders Breivik gave an hour-long defence of his slaughter of 77 people last July and said that he would do it again.
Insurgents attack heart of US-led occupation in Afghanistan
By James Cogan, 17 April 2012
Operations by Afghan and foreign troops to regain control of the governmental and diplomatic zone in Kabul continued for 20 hours.
Ireland pushes for debt restructuring to avoid second bailout
By Jordan Shilton, 30 March 2012
Dublin is pushing for an agreement with the “troika” of the European Central Bank, European Union and International Monetary Fund to allow it to restructure a portion of its debt.
Ireland: Opposition mounts to government-imposed household charge
By Jordan Shilton, 21 March 2012
A deadline of March 31 is approaching for approximately 1.6 million householders across Ireland to pay a €100 charge on their property to the government.
Iceland’s ex-prime minister on trial over role in financial crisis
By Jordan Shilton, 16 March 2012
The trial of Geir H. Haarde, Iceland’s prime minister prior to and during the financial crisis of 2008, began in Reykjavík last week.
Ireland’s Vita Cortex occupation in third month
By Jordan Shilton, 8 March 2012
The occupation by 32 workers of the former Vita Cortex plant in Cork, Ireland is now well into its third month.
Irish government announces referendum on EU austerity treaty
By Julie Hyland, 3 March 2012
The Irish government has conceded that a referendum will be held on the European fiscal treaty, passed by 25 European Union member states in December of last year.
Ireland’s United Left Alliance meets with EU-IMF-ECB “troika”
By Jordan Shilton, 31 January 2012
Ireland’s pseudo-left groups’ integration into the political establishment was on display as representatives from the United Left Alliance (ULA) met with the European Union, International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank.
Ireland facing a decade of austerity
By Jordan Shilton, 18 January 2012
A second bailout for Ireland appears increasingly unlikely as the crisis worsens across Europe.
Occupations and lockouts in Ireland
By Steve James, 16 January 2012
Tense industrial disputes have erupted in Ireland in recent weeks against job losses.
Neo-fascist Breivik warned Norwegian authorities of plans for mass murder
By Robert Stevens, 11 January 2012
The neo-fascist mass murderer Anders Breivik called the Norwegian Government Services Centre last March, threatening to carry out a massacre. The call was placed just four months before he murdered 77 people and injured another 151.
Serious overcrowding in Irish hospitals
By Robert Fowler, 10 January 2012
The recent budget issued by the Fine Gael/Labour government includes a further €543 million in health cuts, which will sharply erode health care in Ireland.
Vita Cortex factory occupied in Cork, Ireland
By Steve James, 28 December 2011
Thirty-two workers have occupied a foam packing factory in Cork, Ireland in pursuit of redundancy payments.
Irish ex-left reaches out to Labour and Sinn Fein
By Jordan Shilton, 20 December 2011
The United Left Alliance, a coalition of the Socialist Party and Socialist Workers Party, has formed a new campaign group to build alliances with Sinn Fein, Labour “dissidents” and various independent members of parliament.
Labour and Fine Gael impose savage cuts in Ireland
By Jordan Shilton, 9 December 2011
In its first budget since taking power in March, the Labour-Fine Gael coalition in Dublin has imposed a budget containing vicious cuts in social spending and tax rises hitting working people hardest.
Norway’s neo-fascist mass murderer Breivik declared insane
By Jordan Shilton, 2 December 2011
Tuesday’s decision to declare Anders Behring Breivik insane was driven by the political interests of the Norwegian and European ruling elite.
Former owner GM blocks Saab takeover
By Jordan Shilton, 28 November 2011
The future of Swedish automaker Saab remains undecided following a decision by former owner General Motors to block a proposed takeover by two Chinese firms.
Labour’s new president promotes “Irishness” to cover austerity
By Steve James, 25 November 2011
Irish President Michael D. Higgins made clear in his inauguration address that the large numbers of working people who voted for him will be immediately betrayed.
Sweden’s Social Democrats in freefall
By Jordan Shilton, 10 November 2011
In recent weeks, support for Sweden’s Social Democrats has fallen to historic lows, with polls indicating little more than 25 percent of voters support the party.
Greek government crisis triggers new round of budget cuts in Europe
By Christoph Dreier, 8 November 2011
The government crisis and the attacks on the working class in Greece were the prelude to a new round of social cuts throughout Europe.
Sinn Fein’s McGuinness stands for Irish presidency
By Steve James, 27 October 2011
Ireland goes to the polls today to elect a new president. Alongside the minor celebrities and political nonentities putting themselves forward for the largely ceremonial role is Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness.
Saab nears bankruptcy as restructuring plan collapses
By Jordan Shilton, 26 October 2011
Saab faces the prospect of bankruptcy after its plans to restructure fell apart last week.
Finance minister proposes “Swedish model” to solve European debt crisis
By Jordan Shilton, 24 October 2011
Sweden’s finance minister Anders Borg has spoken out in favour of a “Swedish solution” to resolve the deepening debt crisis gripping the European continent.
Pseudo-left “Unity List” backs new right-wing Danish government
By Sybille Fuchs and Johannes Stern, 11 October 2011
In line with support given by petty-bourgeois “leftist” groupings to right-wing governments throughout Europe, the aim of the Unity List is to make the Danish people pay for the economic crisis.
Swedish court grants Saab bankruptcy protection
By Jordan Shilton, 26 September 2011
If Saab is able to survive beyond the end of the year, it will be on the basis of a cost-cutting offensive against the workforce by management and the state, facilitated by the unions.
Danish elections bring Social Democrats to power
By Sybille Fuchs, 19 September 2011
The assumption of power by the so-called “Red block” under the leadership of Social Democrat Helle Thorning-Schmidt by no means represents a political shift to the left.
Swedish Left Party leader announces resignation
By Jordan Shilton, 8 September 2011
Lars Ohly, the leader of Sweden’s Left Party since 2004, revealed August 9 that he will step down as head of the party at its next congress in January 2012.
Norway’s Labour Party mounts political whitewash of establishment in mass shootings
By Jordan Shilton, 27 August 2011
In the aftermath of Anders Behring Breivik’s terrorist attacks in Norway on July 22, a concerted campaign is underway to promote a message of national unity.
Ireland: New round of cuts in preparation
By Steve James, 22 August 2011
Egged on by ratings agencies, leading banks and their attendant economists, the Irish government is preparing another assault on the working class.
Irish premier attacks Vatican after new evidence of child abuse
By Steve James, 16 August 2011
Speaking in the Irish parliament, Enda Kenny, Irish Taoiseach and head of the Fine Gael/Labour coalition government, denounced Vatican sabotage of investigations into child abuse by Catholic clergy.
Evidence grows of Norwegian mass murderer Breivik’s ties to British far-right
By Robert Stevens, 4 August 2011
The Norwegian fascist Anders Breivik, who slaughtered 76 people in Norway, has numerous likeminded associates throughout Europe.
Swedish Saab workers go unpaid for second month
By Jordan Shilton, 3 August 2011
Crisis-hit automaker Saab announced last Tuesday for the second month in a row that part of its workforce would not receive their wages on time. The failure to pay employees confirms that the company is essentially bankrupt.
The ideological roots of the Oslo atrocity
By Stefan Steinberg, 30 July 2011
The political and media reaction to the terrorist atrocity carried out in Oslo a week ago reflects a social order in a profound state of political and ideological decay.
French neo-fascist officials endorse Norway atrocities
By Kumaran Ira, 29 July 2011
Members of far-right parties across Europe have endorsed the mass killing last Friday carried out by a right-wing anti-Islamic extremist in Norway, Anders Breivik.
Unanswered questions in Norway terror attack
By Susan Garth, 28 July 2011
The media and politicians are working assiduously to obscure the political motives of the killer, his connections to far-right and fascist organizations, and the political and moral responsibility borne by establishment parties and politicians.
The political establishment and the Oslo massacre
By Peter Schwarz, 27 July 2011
There is a clear link between the campaign of incitement against Muslims, which has been supported by all of the parties of the US and European bourgeois establishment and by the media, and the political motives of the fascist who murdered 76 people in Oslo last Friday.
Fascist killer appears in Norwegian court
By Robert Stevens and Susan Garth, 26 July 2011
The right-wing extremist Anders Behring Breivik appeared in court yesterday and confessed to the mass murder of 76 people in Norway, many of them children.
The slaughter in Oslo
By Peter Schwarz, 25 July 2011
The murder of at least 92 people in Oslo signals the emergence of fascist terrorist violence animated by a hatred of Marxism and the working class.
Bombing, mass shooting kill at least 87 in Norway
By Mike Head, 23 July 2011
A right-wing anti-Islamic extremist is being held over a terror bombing in downtown Oslo that killed seven people and an automatic weapons attack on youth at a Norwegian Labour Party camp that killed at least 80.
Iceland’s former prime minister charged with negligence over financial crisis
By Jordan Shilton, 5 July 2011
Former Prime Minister Geir H. Haarde became Iceland’s first leading political figure to be charged for his part in the 2008 economic collapse.
Northern Ireland: Ulster Volunteer Force instigates sectarian riots
By Steve James, 2 July 2011
Belfast witnessed, on June 21, the return of intercommunal street battles of a ferocity not seen for years.
Finnish ex-left joins right-wing coalition government
By Jordan Shilton, 29 June 2011
New Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen of the conservative National Coalition party unveiled a six-party coalition last Wednesday in Helsinki.
Finnish ex-left joins right-wing coalition government
By Jordan Shilton, 28 June 2011
New Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen of the conservative National Coalition party unveiled a six-party coalition last Wednesday in Helsinki.
Irish government, employers and unions prepare new attacks on working class
By Steve James, 23 June 2011
The new Irish coalition government is preparing a swathe of austerity measures to meet the terms of the 2010 International Monetary Fund/European Union bailout of the banking system.
Irish unions work to sell out pilots at Aer Lingus
By Jordan Shilton, 3 June 2011
Trade unions at Aer Lingus are trying to block a strike by the airline’s pilots.
Inquiry findings continue cover-up of 1999 Rosemary Nelson assassination
By Steve James, 2 June 2011
The findings of the official inquiry into the murder of lawyer Rosemary Nelson, delivered after a six-year investigation, continue the cover-up by the British and Northern Ireland state apparatus.
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