Western Europe
European Union seeks tariff exemptions as US sets out demands
By Nick Beams, 20 March 2018
Talks in Washington with the Trump administration will determine whether the EU proceeds with threatened measures in retaliation against the US imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminium.
London, NATO step up war threats against Russia over Skripal poisoning
By Alex Lantier, 19 March 2018
NATO authorities issued a barrage of political and military threats at Russia, a nuclear-armed power, without providing any evidence for their allegations.
Witch-hunt of Corbyn aims to silence popular opposition to anti-Russia offensive
By Chris Marsden, 19 March 2018
Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn’s cautioning against a “rush to judgement” in the alleged poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal has prompted frenzied media denunciations.
Northern Ireland: Loyalist killer was a police agent
By Steve James, 19 March 2018
Gary Haggarty was working as a British agent when he killed five people on what the government still insists is the “British soil” of Northern Ireland.
Questions mount about UK allegations over "novichok" poison in Skripal case
By Alex Lantier, 19 March 2018
Scientists have repeatedly questioned the existence of the ‘novichok’ poison which London is claiming, without providing evidence, that Russia used to poison Skripal.
The role of the UCU Left in the effort to shut down the UK lecturers strike
By Robert Stevens, 17 March 2018
From its formation, the UCU Left pledged to work with the right wing within the UCU leadership, and has served to suppress opposition and bolster the authority of the unions.
UK: Lecturers and students speak on struggle to fight savage pension cuts
By our reporters, 17 March 2018
WSWS reporters spoke to striking lecturers and students on picket lines and at rallies Thursday and Friday in London and Glasgow.
New German foreign minister threatens Russia and intensifies militarism
By Johannes Stern, 17 March 2018
In his inaugural address, the new foreign minister stressed that the third grand coalition under Angela Merkel would accelerate Germany’s return to an aggressive foreign policy.
The UK lecturers strike and the struggle against marketisation
Former student sues university for cost of her education
By Thomas Scripps, 16 March 2018
The collective endeavour of learning is being replaced by a purely financial and adversarial relationship between universities and students and the academic workforce.
As tensions escalate, UK expels 23 Russian diplomats
By Chris Marsden, 15 March 2018
May is leading an international offensive to reinforce demands for action against Russia, up to and including a military response, working in close collaboration with the US.
French ruling elite brays for war in Syria amid US-UK threats against Russia
By Alex Lantier, 15 March 2018
As Paris moves to restore the draft, the major NATO powers are creating conditions for major wars in which large draftee armies could be deployed.
UK lecturers resume strike following rebellion against UCU sellout agreement
By Robert Stevens, 15 March 2018
From the beginning of the dispute, the SEP has insisted that the UCU is not an organisation fighting in the interests of workers. It is a tool of management and, as with all the unions, cannot be reformed through rank and file pressure.
Germany: Merkel’s re-election and the fight against militarism, welfare cuts and dictatorship
By Johannes Stern, 15 March 2018
With the re-election of Angela Merkel, the most right-wing German government has taken office since the fall of the Third Reich.
UK university lecturers revolt against union sell-out agreement
By Robert Stevens, 14 March 2018
Thousands protested nationally and hundreds of lecturers lobbied outside the union’s headquarters in London Tuesday to demand rejection of a deal reached the previous evening.
“I’m delighted with the voices of solidarity from West Virginia”
Students and lecturers at the University of Aberdeen speak about the issues in the strike
By our reporters, 14 March 2018
Members of the IYSSE spoke to students and striking lecturers at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland about the issues in the lecturers’ struggle.
UK seeks international support for anti-Russia measures
By Chris Marsden, 14 March 2018
UK Prime Minister Theresa May is engaged in a high-stakes effort to turn the tide internationally towards stepped-up conflict with Russia, up to and including a military confrontation.
Great power politics, militarism, increased deportations: The right-wing programme of Germany’s grand coalition
By Peter Schwarz, 14 March 2018
The ruling class of Germany is reacting to the crisis of the European Union by returning to the criminal methods it used in the past.
“It’s certainly not going to shut me up”
Grenfell fire: Joe Delaney answers right-wing media witch-hunt
By Robert Stevens, 14 March 2018
The World Socialist Web Site spoke to north Kensington resident Joe Delaney about the recent attack on him by the Sunday Times.
68th Berlin International Film Festival—Part 1
The 2018 Berlinale and the #MeToo campaign
By Stefan Steinberg and Verena Nees, 14 March 2018
The 68th Berlin Film Festival, whose 2018 edition ended February 25, is the world’s largest film festival open to the public.
UK: More than a million welfare benefit sanctions imposed against disabled people
By Dennis Moore, 13 March 2018
In 2015, the UK government withheld £132 million from claimants in the form of sanctions.
An Open letter from the International Youth and Students for Social Equality to the editors of German daily Tageszeitung
12 March 2018
The following letter was sent by the IYSSE to the editors of the German daily Tageszeitung, after it published a defence of right-wing extremist professor Jörg Baberowski and defamed his critics.
Corbyn opposes Momentum leader Jon Lansman’s bid for Labour’s general secretary post
By Julie Hyland, 9 March 2018
Far from marking a breach in the bureaucratic apparatus, the contest between two supporters of leader Jeremy Corbyn underscores the anti-democratic, right-wing character of Labour.
German Green Party-aligned newspaper defends far-right Professor Baberowski
International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE), 6 March 2018
The Tageszeitung, a daily close to the German Green Party, dedicated its weekend edition to a frontal attack on the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE).
German Social Democratic Party votes to form grand coalition
By Johannes Stern, 5 March 2018
The SPD has cleared the way with their vote for the most right-wing government in Germany since the downfall of the Nazis.
European Union demands Google, Facebook step up Internet censorship
By Kumaran Ira, 5 March 2018
The EU’s call for the automatic removal of online content is part of an international attempt to censor social opposition to austerity and war.
EU threatens retaliation to Trump’s trade war measures
By Peter Symonds, 3 March 2018
Trump’s announcement of global tariffs on steel and aluminium has triggered international criticism, including from US allies that will be among the hardest hit.
French neo-fascist Marine Le Pen indicted for tweeting pictures of IS killings
By Francis Dubois, 3 March 2018
The indictment of two National Front deputies for posting pictures on Twitter is an act of political censorship threatening basic democratic rights.
Skoda workers in the Czech Republic prepare to strike
By Ulrich Rippert, 1 March 2018
The strike preparations at Skoda are part of a growing radicalisation of workers in Eastern Europe, who are no longer willing to accept conditions of extreme exploitation.
German defence minister confirms grand coalition’s rearmament plans
By Johannes Stern, 1 March 2018
Ursula von der Leyen made clear in a recent interview what the central tasks of Germany’s incoming government will be: a major rearmament programme and the waging of war.
UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn slithers toward sellout
By Chris Marsden, 1 March 2018
Corbyn’s speech expresses the role that would be played by any future Labour government, under conditions where a deepening Tory crisis could hasten a general election.
UK lecturers and students speak out during second week of strikes over pensions
By our reporters, 28 February 2018
WSWS reporters spoke to lecturers, other university staff and students at picket lines and rallies around the UK on Monday and Tuesday.
French President Macron turns his labor decrees against rail workers
By Alex Lantier, 28 February 2018
On Monday, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced plans to end the French rail workers' statute and privatize the French National Railways.
German Left Party leader backs new attack on immigrants
By Christoph Vandreier, 28 February 2018
Sahra Wagenknecht defended the decision of Essen Tafel to restrict its food handouts to German citizens only.
Right-wing media launch witch-hunt against Grenfell activist Joe Delaney
By Barry Mason and Robert Stevens, 28 February 2018
The accusation should be met with contempt by the thousands of residents who know Delaney, and all those in the UK and internationally who have solidarized with the Grenfell victims.
UK local authorities escalate anti-homelessness policies
By Barry Mason, 27 February 2018
Living on the streets is a very precarious existence, reducing life expectancy to 47 years compared to 81 years for the average person in the UK.
Parti de l'égalité socialiste holds meeting in Paris against militarism and austerity
By our reporters, 27 February 2018
The meeting exposed the militaristic plans underlying attempts to form a Grand Coalition government in Germany working closely with President Emmanuel Macron.
German Left Party voices support for military rearmament and war
By Johannes Stern, 26 February 2018
Left Party representative Stefan Liebich greeted the war speech of Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel (SPD) at the Munich Security Conference.
London tower block leaseholders oppose having to pay cladding repair bill
By our reporters, 26 February 2018
The owners of the Citiscape apartments in south London, Proxima GR Properties, are trying to force leaseholders to pay at least £2 million for replacing unsafe cladding.
“We will not eat until we are free”
UK: Hunger strikers at Yarl’s Wood immigration detention centre
By Laura Tiernan, 26 February 2018
The mainly women detainees are demanding an end to indefinite detention, describing “systematic torture” by the Home Office and the private security firm, Serco.
UK lecturers stage second day of national strikes
By Robert Stevens, 24 February 2018
In contrast to the stand by lecturers and students, the University and College Union has insisted that the strikes give way as soon as possible to resumed negotiations.
Lecturers and students stage united protests in Sheffield and Southampton
By our reporters, 24 February 2018
World Socialist Web Site reporters spoke to lecturers and students at universities around the UK.
Tuition fees review will escalate marketisation of higher education in UK
By Thomas Scripps, 24 February 2018
At the center of discussions is the introduction of market-based pricing for degree courses, based on likely graduate earnings.
German Chancellor promotes rearmament and war in speech to parliament
By Johannes Stern, 24 February 2018
Merkel made clear that the incoming grand coalition will implement a massive military build-up, a new round of social austerity and adopt the far-right’s policies on refugees.
Tory-media witch-hunt claims Labour’s Corbyn was a spy
By Chris Marsden, 21 February 2018
This latest offensive by the Tory Party and media follows threats by senior military figures that Corbyn must not be allowed to form a government.
Macron launches campaign to privatise French railways
By Kumaran Ira, 20 February 2018
The report calls for the privatisation of the French National Railways, aiming to eliminate basic social rights of the working class to finance Macron’s militarist policies.
Amazon set to open new depot in Sheffield—“low pay capital of the UK”
By Danny Richardson, 20 February 2018
Sheffield and its surrounding area was previously a major steel producing region with Amazon building its “Fulfilment Centres” in the South Yorkshire area on shuttered steel plants.
Munich Security Conference threatens war on all fronts
By Chris Marsden, 19 February 2018
Washington led the pack in bellicosity towards Syria and North Korea, tied to allegations of Russian and Chinese culpability.
German defence minister delivers war-mongering speech at Munich Security Conference
By Johannes Stern, 19 February 2018
A rearmament offensive is being prepared, comparable only to that of Hitler’s Wehrmacht in the 1930s.
A tool of imperialism: Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s Unsubmissive France calls for military buildup
By Alex Lantier, 19 February 2018
As Paris threatens to bomb Syria, and Washington threatens Russia and China, Jean-Luc Mélenchon is stampeding behind calls to build a European war machine.
Grenfell Fire Forum: Failed by the State co-director discusses smear campaign against his documentary
By our reporter, 19 February 2018
After a lively discussion on issues raised by the film, the Grenfell Fire Forum passed a resolution opposing the attack on it by the corporate media.
War clouds gather over Munich Security Conference
By Peter Schwarz, 16 February 2018
The central issue being discussed by the high-ranking attendees at the conference is how the assembled great powers, and the Europeans in particular, can rearm to prepare for war.
Squalor, violence and death: The deterioration of UK prisons
By Peter Reydt, 16 February 2018
Year after year, there are reports documenting the fact that UK prisons are hellholes unfit to hold human beings.
#MeToo campaign turns on French Environment Minister Nicolas Hulot
By Francis Dubois, 15 February 2018
The media hysteria that the French government initially helped stir up around #MeToo is now turning against the government itself.
Germany: The coalition agreement and the return of militarism
By Ulrich Rippert, 15 February 2018
Important sections of the coalition pact between the Christian Democrats and Social Democrats agreed last week bear the imprint of the top military brass.
UK Prime Minister May calls for fight to “defeat socialism”
By Julie Hyland, 15 February 2018
May spoke almost 40 years after Thatcher vowed to “roll back the tide of socialism,” and more than 25 years since the liquidation of the Soviet Union was hailed as proof of the triumph of capitalism.
Failed by the State co-director Daniel Renwick: “Every day I meet people who have been politicised and have a deeper consciousness”
By Robert Stevens, 15 February 2018
The World Socialist Web Site interviewed Daniel Renwick about the making of Failed by the State, a documentary on the Grenfell fire, and the attack launched against it by the Daily Beast and right-wing newspapers in Britain.
Oppose the right-wing campaign against Grenfell fire documentary Failed by the State
By Robert Stevens, 15 February 2018
The attack on the documentary is part of a broader offensive by the ruling elite and its media, which are attempting to portray all expressions of political and social dissent as “fake news” being spread by the Putin regime in Russia.
German grand coalition planning major military build-up
By Peter Schwarz, 14 February 2018
An article in IP magazine, published by the German Council for Foreign Relations, gives a glimpse of the foreign policy debates going on behind the scenes.
Germany: The resignation of Martin Schulz
By Peter Schwarz, 12 February 2018
The rapid rise and fall of Schulz cannot be explained simply on the basis of personal rivalries. At stake are major political issues.
New NATO headquarters planned in Germany
By Johannes Stern, 12 February 2018
With a new NATO headquarters, Germany would be even more strongly involved in NATO preparations for war against Russia.
French media endorse plan for anti-worker Grand Coalition government in Germany
By Alex Lantier, 12 February 2018
The Grand Coalition deal and the new Berlin-Paris axis are both based on the most right-wing program since fascist parties ruled Europe.
UK National Health Service “haemorrhaging nurses” as 33,000 leave in one year
By Benjamin Trent, 12 February 2018
Such is the crisis that the Royal College of Nursing estimates there are now 40,000 vacant nursing positions in the health service.
UK: Pro-Corbyn councillors vote with Blairites against scrapping Haringey Council’s social cleansing project
By Paul Mitchell, 10 February 2018
Labour councillors, backed by Momentum, refused to back a motion that would have brought an end to the UK’s most infamous handover of council assets.
YouTube censors video opposing far-right Alternative for Germany
By Johannes Stern, 10 February 2018
The video by the left-wing, socialist channel “Political Analysis” was evidently censored following appeals by far-right circles to YouTube.
German parties reach agreement on grand coalition for war and austerity
By Johannes Stern, 8 February 2018
A new grand coalition between the Social Democrats and conservative parties will launch a massive military build-up, initiate a new round of austerity and carry out police-state measures.
Haringey Council leader Claire Kober: The social cleansing agenda of a Blairite “martyr”
By Julie Hyland, 8 February 2018
Haringey Council leader Claire Kober has received the support of over 70 leaders of Labour councils nationally who are all enforcing Tory spending cuts.
Germany’s Grand Coalition for austerity and war
By Johannes Stern, 6 February 2018
In the final stretch of coalition negotiations, SPD leader Martin Schulz announced an agreement between his party and the conservative CDU/CSU on European policy.
Hamburg police searching for G20 protesters Europe-wide
By Marianne Arens, 6 February 2018
The extension of the operation is part of the plans of the grand coalition between the SPD and Christian Democrats to further strengthen police powers and coordinate security policy on a European basis.
May’s China visit highlights UK’s post-Brexit dilemma
By Jean Shaoul, 6 February 2018
The US tied May’s hands, leading to her refusal to sign a memorandum of understanding officially endorsing China's Belt and Road Initiative.
Post-Grenfell Tower fire report confirms systemic corporate flouting of health and safety standards
By Trevor Johnson, 6 February 2018
Even on essential safety issues like fire prevention, the Hackitt report considers it too great an imposition on landlords to demand, in law, that they carry out basic improvements such as fitting sprinkler systems in tower blocks.
German industrial workers shut down auto sector as strikes spread
By our reporters, 2 February 2018
Workers in the automotive and electrical industries are striking for a third consecutive day for higher wages and the voluntary reduction of the workweek.
Social cleansing in Haringey: Labour right reject Corbyn’s pleas for “unity”
By Julie Hyland, 2 February 2018
Haringey’s Labour-run council is mounting one of the largest privatisation and social cleansing operations in London
UK: Conservative government backs efforts to overturn parole of rapist John Worboys
By John Newham and Robert Stevens, 1 February 2018
The moves to challenge the Parole Board’s January 4 decision have implications for legal norms and due process.
UK Labour: Corbyn seeks accommodation with Blairites and big business
By Chris Marsden, 29 January 2018
The policy of the Labour right wing is to extract maximum concessions from Corbyn—especially regarding Labour’s stance on Brexit.
UK Defence Secretary accuses Russia of planning to kill “thousands and thousands and thousands” of Britons
By Robert Stevens, 27 January 2018
Williamson’s comments come just days after the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces declared that Britain must actively prepare for war with Russia.
Julian Assange challenges warrant for his arrest as doctors confirm worsening of his health
By Margot Miller, 27 January 2018
The clinicians, with a combined four decades of experience, said Assange's "continued confinement" is "a clear infringement of his human right to healthcare.”
German, French parliaments prepare new alliance, 55 years after Elysée treaty
By Alex Lantier, 25 January 2018
The resolution commits Berlin and Paris to a major arms build-up and deep austerity to enable them to carry out military operations independent of Washington.
Catalan nationalists struggle to form government
By Paul Mitchell, 25 January 2018
Spain’s Popular Party government is threatening to re-impose Article 155 and direct rule of the autonomous region by Madrid.
UK, France boost military, intelligence ties at Sandhurst summit
By Robert Stevens and Alex Lantier, 20 January 2018
The summit aimed to boost UK-French cooperation despite the crisis in NATO caused by the election of Donald Trump and Britain’s exit from the European Union.
IYSSE secures re-election to student parliament at Berlin’s Humboldt University
By the IYSSE at Humboldt University, 20 January 2018
After a successful election campaign, the IYSSE is re-entering Humboldt University’s student parliament with two representatives.
UK: Office for Students spearheads privatisation and policing of universities
By Thomas Scripps, 20 January 2018
Accompanied by lifting the cap on tuition fees and selling off of student debt to private holders, the Office for Students is set to complete the basic framework for the wholesale privatisation of higher education.
German newspaper Die Zeit and SPD back #MeToo witch-hunt
By Verena Nees, 19 January 2018
It is no accident that the German #MeToo campaign is being led by a newspaper close to the SPD, which has adopted the issue in the wake of its disastrous result in last autumn’s federal election.
Carillion’s collapse in UK and the East Coast bailout: What would ending the “Private Financial Initiative rip-off” entail?
By Jean Shaoul, 18 January 2018
In the wake of the collapse of construction giant Carillion, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn demagogically declared it was time “to end the rip-off privatisation policies.”
Another bonanza year for highest paid UK CEOs
By Dennis Moore, 18 January 2018
The median average pay of the top FTSE 100 CEO's is £3.45 million a year, 120 times the average pay of a worker.
Families and survivors hold seven-month commemoration of Grenfell Tower fire
By our reporters, 17 January 2018
Some 1,500 people, including survivors and the families of those who died in last year’s Grenfell Tower fire, staged their monthly Silent March on January 14.
UK: Election of pro-Corbyn slate to Labour’s National Executive Committee underscores left shift in working class
By Chris Marsden, 16 January 2018
Corbyn is now in control of his cabinet and, following various reshuffles, has a majority of the party membership and now the NEC.
UK: Carillion collapse threatens jobs and pensions, exposing plunder of social assets
By Julie Hyland, 16 January 2018
There are reports of banks shifting Carillion off their balance sheets over the last months in anticipation of its inevitable folding.
UK National Archives: Key government files “missing,” and documents on Europe withheld
By Richard Tyler, 15 January 2018
The missing files are thought to include thousands of government papers dealing with critical chapters of recent history that can prove to be a major political embarrassment.
For new elections and a socialist offensive against the grand coalition in Germany
By Johannes Stern, 15 January 2018
Opposition within the population to the grand coalition’s anti-working class and militarist policies is enormous.
Virgin Care and other private companies seize another £3.1 billion of NHS contracts
By Ajanta Silva, 15 January 2018
By running down National Health Service-run provision across the country, the Tories have opened up new avenues for private companies to cherry pick lucrative areas.
German conservatives and Social Democrats agree to coalition talks
By Peter Schwarz, 13 January 2018
The 28-page document on the results of the exploratory talks conceals a deeply reactionary right-wing programme behind unctuous rhetoric about an “awakening,” “democracy,” “peace” and “justice.”
German industrial workers continue strikes
By Ulrich Rippert, 13 January 2018
The IG Metall trade union is increasingly concerned by the unrest and radical atmosphere in the plants, but has indicated its readiness to compromise and reach a sell-out deal.
Fraud of official inquiry into Grenfell fire exposed by forced withdrawal of project management adviser
By Robert Stevens, 13 January 2018
The scandal over KPMG serves once again to dispel any illusions that the official Grenfell inquiry has anything to do with establishing the truth or holding the guilty to account.
160,000 industrial workers strike in Germany
By Peter Schwarz, 11 January 2018
Amid widespread anger over social inequality and corporate job-cutting, there is a growing determination to fight for improvements in wages and working conditions.
France’s Socialist Party attacks Catherine Deneuve for opposing #MeToo witch-hunt
By Alex Lantier, 11 January 2018
The courageous column published by 100 women in Le Monde criticizing the #MeToo campaign has provoked a venomous response from the French state machine.
French chemical industry unions back contract violating minimum wage laws
By Alex Lantier, 8 January 2018
Backed by the European Union, President Emmanuel Macron is using his labor decrees to try to scrap basic social rights won by the working class.
German foreign minister demands aggressive assertion of great power interests
By Christoph Vandreier, 8 January 2018
Gabriel’s rhetoric, in his interview with Spiegel Online, is aimed at initiating a further escalation of German militarism and freeing Berlin from any restrictions.
Volkswagen plans to dismiss all temporary contract workers in German plants
By Dietmar Henning, 8 January 2018
VW’s mass firing of temporary contract workers is the prelude to sweeping job cuts and attacks on the gains of all autoworkers.
UK rail workers continue strikes against Driver Only Operated train plans
By Michael Barnes, 8 January 2018
As dangerous incidents begin to escalate, the rail companies and the Tory government refuse to retreat in their war against conductors’ jobs.
UK workers confront rising job losses in 2018
By Tony Robson, 8 January 2018
At no point have Unite, GMB, the retail workers union, USDAW, or any other, even mooted a fight in defence of a single job.
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