France
010 Paris mass transit votes to end strike
20 January 2020
Hundreds of thousands protest pension cuts in France
By Alex Lantier, 17 January 2020
Support for the strike and opposition to Macron continue to grow even after the government made a few minor, insincere changes to its proposed cuts.
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.
The Suleimani assassination, imperialist strategy and the crisis of the Iranian regime
By Keith Jones, 16 January 2020
The killing of the military leader, widely viewed as second only to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei in Iran’s power structure, constitutes a dramatic escalation of the Trump administration’s campaign of “maximum pressure” on Iran.
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.
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.
999 French pseudo left appeal to Macron on austerity
11 January 2020
Millions march in France as strikes against Macron pension cut spread
By Anthony Torres and Alex Lantier, 10 January 2020
Refinery, port and airline workers joined the strike as hundreds of thousands of workers and youth marched against austerity, militarism and police repression.
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.
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.
Wider war over Libya looms as France, Egypt denounce Turkish intervention
By Alex Lantier, 3 January 2020
Less than a decade after the 2011 NATO intervention in Libya, the resulting civil war in that country threatens to escalate into an all-out regional conflict involving the major powers.
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.
030 France protests
27 December 2019
“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.
040 Daimler workers support strike wave in France
27 December 2019
Germany: Daimler workers support the strike wave in France
By K. Nesan, 27 December 2019
Discussions with German workers give a sense of the growing opposition to the hackneyed and hollow promises of the company union.
French strikers oppose “Christmas truce” called by Macron and trade unions
By V. Gnana and Alex Lantier, 24 December 2019
The rail and energy strike is not weakening, and strikers are increasingly demanding to organize their own strike independently of union bosses who negotiate with the state.
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.
From Cavaignac to Villiers: The class struggle in France and the lessons of history
By Alex Lantier, 20 December 2019
This week General Pierre de Villiers called for more “firmness” in repressing the weeks-long mass strike against President Emmanuel Macron’s austerity agenda.
999 France strike interviews
20 December 2019
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.
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.
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.
999 France mass strike video
17 December 2019
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.
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.
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.
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.
Protest marches called this week as French public sector strike continues
By Alex Lantier, 9 December 2019
Strikes are set to continue today, as hundreds of thousands of French public sector workers protest President Emmanuel Macron’s pension cuts and austerity policies.
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.
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.
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.
Trump escalates global trade war
By Nick Beams, 4 December 2019
Responding to a question in London on whether there was a deadline for a trade deal with China, Trump said: “I like the idea of waiting until after the election for the China deal.”
Ladj Ly’s Les Misérables: French youth in revolt
By David Walsh, 4 December 2019
Ly’s work, with its strengths and weaknesses, is an honest effort to confront the wretched reality prevailing in the working-class suburbs (banlieues) surrounding Paris.
NATO bitterly divided as London summit begins
By Alex Lantier, 3 December 2019
NATO heads of state arrived yesterday in London for a two-day summit beginning today, 70 years after NATO’s foundation in the aftermath of World War II in 1949.
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.
Calls grow for mass December 5 protest strike against French pension cuts
By Anthony Torres, 29 November 2019
Amid an international resurgence of class struggle, it is critical for workers to take control of their struggles from the hands of the corrupt union bureaucracies.
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.
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.
16 November 2019
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.
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.
Wildcat strike erupts at French National Railways over understaffing, austerity
By Alex Lantier, 22 October 2019
Workers walked off the job after a serious accident wounded 11, amid mounting anger at understaffing, pension cuts and the two-tier wage system introduced last year.
French President Macron launches Islamophobic campaign after Paris police office attack
By Anthony Torres, 15 October 2019
Macron declared that preventing such attacks required a permanent atmosphere of anti-Islamic denunciations.
New Anti-capitalist Party demands military escalation against Turkey in Syria
By Alex Lantier, 12 October 2019
The Pabloite NPA bitterly opposes a struggle to unify the working class internationally in a movement against imperialist war and the Middle Eastern bourgeoisie.
French ex-President Jacques Chirac dead at 86
By Alex Lantier, 30 September 2019
The ubiquitous hailing of Chirac by the ruling establishment reflects above all the former Gaullist president’s ability to appeal to the political and class prejudices of the affluent middle class.
French police launch protests outside Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s headquarters
By Alex Lantier, 26 September 2019
Mélenchon must be defended against the hysterical attack launched at him by President Emmanuel Macron’s government and France’s police-state machine.
Macron, Steinmeier visit Rome to prepare new EU repression of refugees
By Alex Lantier, 20 September 2019
The removal of the neo-fascists from the Italian government has not produced any shift towards a less militaristic and anti-refugee policy.
French transit workers strike against attack on pensions
By Will Morrow, 14 September 2019
The trade unions are seeking to prevent any struggle against Macron’s attack through a series of isolated one-day actions over the next month.
Defending pensions against Macron requires an international political strategy
By Alex Lantier, 14 September 2019
The way forward to defend pensions and oppose the well-advanced drive towards fascistic police state rule is to turn to the international working class.
Unsubmissive France summer school promotes Islamophobia
By Anthony Torres and Alex Lantier, 12 September 2019
The move by considerable sections of LFI toward essentially racist positions underscores the reactionary character of its populist and nationalist political orientation.
French unions meet with Macron administration to organize attack on pensions
By Will Morrow, 7 September 2019
The gathering discussed how the unions will suppress the opposition in the working class to the Macron administration’s historic assault.
French government fires bus and rail workers accused of “radicalization”
By Anthony Torres, 27 August 2019
Under the cover of anti-terror laws introduced by the former Socialist Party government, the transport operators are empowered to fire workers based on government accusations.
Divisions between major powers widen at G7 summit
By Nick Beams, 26 August 2019
The G7 meeting held in France over the weekend marks another stage in the breakdown of the post-war capitalist order.
Massive police mobilization in Biarritz, France as G7 summit opens
By Kumaran Ira, 24 August 2019
In preparation for this weekend’s G7 summit in Biarritz, the French authorities are carrying out a massive police mobilization to prepare to suppress any opposition.
UK Prime Minister Johnson fails to secure Brexit concessions from Germany and France
By Robert Stevens, 24 August 2019
Corbyn’s meeting with Remain-supporting parties and MPs is his latest capitulation to the agenda of sections of big business opposed to leaving the EU.
“We are all equal!” Captain who saved refugees refuses award from Paris mayor
By Will Morrow, 24 August 2019
Klemp repudiated the award and denounced the anti-refugee polices of the Paris authorities.
Macron-Putin meeting before G7 summit highlights global geopolitical conflicts
By Will Morrow, 23 August 2019
The meeting took place in the context of increasing calls centered in Paris and Berlin for the European Union to develop its capabilities to wage wars independently of the United States.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon hails Mexican government as embodiment of “citizens’ revolution”
By Will Morrow, 20 August 2019
Mélenchon’s hailing of the AMLO government speaks volumes about what type of government he would lead, were he to win the presidential elections in 2022.
Hospital workers strike spreads throughout France
By Anthony Torres, 15 August 2019
The urgent care nurses and assistants are opposing Macron’s assault on healthcare and the deterioration of conditions for staff and patients.
Immigrant tent camps in Paris: Victims of France’s war on refugees
By Will Morrow, 13 August 2019
Every night in Paris, in sprawling tent encampments lying beneath highway overpasses, or in local playgrounds and parks, thousands of refugees go to sleep on the street.
Paris’s Notre Dame fire: Two children test positive for lead poisoning
By Sam Dalton, 12 August 2019
The revelations are an indictment of the local Parisian government of Socialist Party mayor Anne Hidalgo and the national government of Emmanuel Macron.
French police assault Nantes protest against police drowning of Steve Caniço
By Anthony Torres, 8 August 2019
Thirty people were arrested and 34 detained preventatively by police, who fired water cannon and waves of tear gas grenades against protesters.
095 Police violence in Nantes
7 August 2019
French government bans protests against police killing of Steve Caniço
By Will Morrow, 3 August 2019
President Emmanuel Macron’s imposition of a ban on protests against deadly police violence makes clear that a police state rules France.
French populist Mélenchon gives advice to AMLO in Mexico amid growing social unrest
By Andrea Lobo, 2 August 2019
While supporting his right-wing policies and crackdown on immigrants, Mélenchon advised AMLO on creating new nationalist traps to divert the movement of the working class.
Body of Steve Caniço, killed in police raid, found in France’s Loire River
By Alex Lantier, 1 August 2019
Prime Minister Edouard Philippe shamelessly declared that “no link” could be established between the police raid and Caniço’s death.
Preparing for great-power war, France creates space command
By Will Morrow, 31 July 2019
The implication, covered over by the media and political establishment, is that the French ruling class is preparing for war against militarily-advanced, nuclear-armed powers.
Growing evidence of government responsibility for blaze
Paris authorities cover up lead contamination in schools caused by Notre Dame fire
By Sam Dalton, 31 July 2019
Paris authorities are covering up the risk of lead poisoning after the Notre Dame fire, as new details of mismanagement before the disaster emerge.
One month since Steve Caniço’s disappearance in police raid in Nantes, France
Macron threatens: “Calm must be restored in the country”
By Will Morrow, 22 July 2019
Macron is using the latest crime by police to send a message that state forces can attack and kill working people with impunity.
“The university and its teachers have a responsibility toward history”
An interview with veteran French filmmaker Bertrand Tavernier about actress Lillian Gish and director D. W. Griffith
Bowling Green State University recently removed the famed actress’s name from its film theater
By David Walsh, 20 July 2019
French filmmaker Bertrand Tavernier (Round Midnight, Coup de Torchon, Life and Nothing But, It All Starts Today, In the Electric Mist) is one of the most admirable figures in cinema over the past 45 years.
After three-month cover-up, investigation into police assault of “yellow vest” Geneviève Legay transferred to Lyon
By Francis Dubois, 19 July 2019
The police assault on the septuagenarian in Nice is part of the erection of a police state by the government of the financial aristocracy headed by Macron.
French intelligence strategy document warns of “insurrectional violence”
By Will Morrow, 19 July 2019
The “road map” establishes the target of France’s counterterrorism agencies as “subversive movements” and potential “insurrectional violence” in the population.
France: Delevoye report prepares the slashing of pensions by Macron
By Anthony Torres, 18 July 2019
Despite the growing opposition expressed in the “yellow vest” protests, the Macron government is accelerating its assault on the social rights of the working class.
Police launch mass arrests on Bastille Day in Paris
By Will Morrow and Alex Lantier, 15 July 2019
President Emmanuel Macron was booed and jeered as he drove in the motorcade down the Champs-Elysées on the traditional military parade Sunday morning.
Police crack down on undocumented workers occupying Paris Pantheon
By Alex Lantier, 13 July 2019
Late yesterday afternoon, approximately 700 undocumented immigrant workers held a peaceful demonstration and occupied Paris’ historic Panthéon building, demanding an immediate recognition of their right to reside in France.
Furniture retailer Conforama announces 1,900 job cuts in France in 2020
By Anthony Torres, 5 July 2019
Workers at several stores targeted for closure spontaneously walked off the job in protest at the deal worked out behind their backs by management and the unions.
France’s “yellow vest” protests and the resurgence of the international class struggle
By the Parti de l’égalité socialiste, 3 July 2019
These protests are a turning point in France and internationally, marking the initial re-entry of the working class onto the political stage.
Paris police use pepper spray against seated climate change protesters
By Will Morrow, 2 July 2019
Riot police strolled around the group, pepper spraying their faces from 20 centimeters away and ripping protective goggles off them, as onlookers filmed with their phones.
205 Yellow vests statement
2 July 2019
French police assault at music festival leaves young man missing, feared drowned
By Anthony Torres, 29 June 2019
The violent police attack, during which a young man fell into the Loire river, is the outcome of the government’s repressive program.
Watch: Chris Marsden’s speech to Paris meeting to demand freedom for Assange and Manning
By Chris Marsden, 27 June 2019
The speech was delivered by Socialist Equality Party (UK) National Secretary Chris Marsden to a meeting hosted by the Parti de l’égalité socialiste on June 23.
France: What should be done with Arnault’s $100 billion?
By Will Morrow, 26 June 2019
The CEO and leading shareholder of French luxury fashion retail group LVMH became the third person in history to join the centi-billionaires club.
Parti de l’égalité socialiste meeting in Paris demands freedom for Julian Assange
By our reporters, 25 June 2019
The meeting came three days after the World Socialist Web Site issued a call to build a Global Defense Committee fighting for Assange’s freedom.
Facebook blocks ad for PES meeting in Paris to defend Assange
By Alex Lantier, 22 June 2019
The Parti de l’égalité socialiste calls on its supporters to share its material and support the freeing of journalist Julian Assange and whistleblower Chelsea Manning.
French workers, “yellow vest” protesters support fight to free Julian Assange
By Will Morrow, 19 June 2019
For the last two weeks, the Parti de l’égalité socialiste has campaigned in Paris for this Sunday’s public meeting in defense of Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning.
French police interrogate donors to “yellow vest” protester
By Will Morrow, 18 June 2019
Police are questioning some of the 8,800 people who donated to support Christophe Dettinger, the protester and former boxer who punched a riot police officer.
French hospital workers strike against Macron’s health cuts
By Anthony Torres, 15 June 2019
Hospital strikes against the deterioration of the health system that began in March in Paris are now spreading throughout France.
Fiat Chrysler-Renault merger talks collapse
By Will Morrow, 15 June 2019
Both companies have stated that the deal was blocked at the final hour by the French government of President Emmanuel Macron.
French state demands four months’ jail for “yellow vest” protester Eric Drouet
By Anthony Torres, 11 June 2019
The charges against Drouet are unfounded and underscore that a police state is being built in France.
040 Yellow vest interviews
10 June 2019
French Nutella workers strike, Tram and metro workers’ stoppage in Greek capital
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
7 June 2019
Workers at the Nutella factory in Normandy have been blockading the plant over demands for a wage increase while Greek tram workers stopped work Monday to protest the Syriza government’s attacks on public transportation.
French rail workers protest one year after rail privatization
By Anthony Torres, 6 June 2019
With anger growing among rail workers over station closures and worsening working conditions, the unions felt compelled to organize a symbolic one-day strike.
“Yellow vest” protesters speak on the European elections
By our reporters, 3 June 2019
“I came today to support the people fighting against this government that I am against, and because I want a real democracy,” Jennifer, 31, told campaigners for the Parti de l’égalité socialiste (Socialist Equality Party, PES).
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