European Economy
The European Commission, French President Hollande accelerate austerity
By Anthony Torres, 23 May 2013
While the French economy has entered into recession, the European Union and the French government are pressing to accelerate social attacks.
Protest opposes London-wide National Health Service cuts
By Paul Bond, 22 May 2013
The Save our NHS demonstration showed the bankruptcy of the Labour Party and trade unions campaign in defence of health care.
Six million suffer fuel poverty in UK
By Emily Wilson, 22 May 2013
The number of people in fuel poverty in England is expected to rise from 6 million today to 9 million by 2016.
Beppe Grillo agitates against immigrants
By Marianne Arens, 22 May 2013
On May 14, Beppe Grillo published a racist blog post appealing to far-right forces.
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.
Tens of thousands march in Rome against austerity
By Stefan Steinberg, 20 May 2013
Trade union leaders used a large demonstration in Rome on Saturday to cover their tracks in supporting the recently formed coalition government led by Prime Minister Enrico Letta.
The betrayal of the Greek teachers’ strike
By Chris Marsden, 18 May 2013
The decision by leaders of the OLME teachers union to abandon an agreed strike in the face of civil mobilisation orders has delivered a serious blow to the entire Greek working class.
Spanish government rejects unions’ pleas for anti-crisis pact
By Vicky Short, 18 May 2013
With 6.2 million out of work, the trade unions are appealing for unity with the right wing Popular Party government.
Sharp increase in US jobless benefit claims
By Andre Damon, 17 May 2013
Negative economic figures released this week point to continuing stagnation in the US amidst a worsening slump internationally.
OECD reports growing inequality worldwide
By Stefan Steinberg, 17 May 2013
The latest OECD report confirms that inequality in most industrialised nations has grown significantly since the world economic crisis broke out in 2007-8.
Austrian Social Democrats suffer massive losses in local elections
By Markus Salzmann, 17 May 2013
In regional elections in Salzburg, the Social Democrats and the Austrian Peoples’ Party recorded the largest loss of support since the Second World War.
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.
Attacks on Greek teachers intensify
By Christoph Dreier, 15 May 2013
The public service trade union federation, ADEDY, has made clear that it will not mobilize public employees to defend the teachers.
The rotten foundations of the Italian coalition government
By Marianne Arens and Peter Schwarz, 15 May 2013
An appellate court has handed down a four-year prison sentence for tax evasion to former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
Divisions between major powers dominate G-7 meeting
By Nick Beams, 13 May 2013
Differences within the G-7 over economic policy are fuelled by the fact that almost five years since the global financial crisis erupted, the world economy is marked by deepening recessionary trends.
Greek government outlaws teachers strike
By Robert Stevens, 13 May 2013
The New Democracy, social democratic PASOK and Democratic Left coalition government signed a civil mobilisation order Saturday to outlaw a teachers strike, scheduled to begin on May 17.
IMF demands further austerity in Greece
By Robert Stevens, 10 May 2013
The IMF’s report follows the agreement made between the “troika” and the coalition government of New Democracy, PASOK and the Democratic Left last month.
Thousands of job cuts in UK financial sector
By Jordan Shilton, 9 May 2013
Over recent months, financial firms in Britain including banks and insurers have announced thousands of lay-offs.
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.
Left Front’s offer to serve in France’s pro-austerity government unnerves NPA
By Kumaran Ira, 8 May 2013
The NPA fears that Mélenchon’s willingness to work under Hollande will expose the anti-working class politics of the entire pseudo-left.
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.
Austerity policies heighten national divisions in Europe
By Stefan Steinberg, 6 May 2013
The official debate over austerity in Europe has broken out amid deepening economic crisis and mounting social anger in the working class.
Athens mayor bans fascist demonstration
By Christoph Dreier, 4 May 2013
Police intervened to prevent supporters of the Greek fascist party Golden Dawn from carrying out a food distribution in Athens’ Syntagma Square.
Netherlands unemployment at record level
By Elizabeth Zimmermann, 4 May 2013
Unemployment in the Netherlands has reached 8.1 percent—the highest level in 30 years
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.
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.
A Grand Coalition for austerity in Italy
By Chris Marsden, 29 April 2013
The formation of a Grand Coalition government in Italy shows the degree to which the global financial oligarchy dominates political life.
Governing coalition suffers huge losses in Iceland
By Jordan Shilton, 29 April 2013
Voters in Iceland have inflicted a massive defeat on the Social Democratic-Left Green coalition, which has ruled the country for the past four years.
Italian bank scandal reveals depth of financial crisis
By Mike Jobson, 29 April 2013
Italian prosecutors ordered the seizure of €1.8 billion in a probe of Monte dei Paschi di Siena bank.
EU demands further austerity in Slovenia
By Markus Salzmann, 29 April 2013
Slovenia is regarded as the next likely candidate for an EU bailout to shore up its banks.
Spanish government announces more austerity as unemployment soars
By Alejandro López, 27 April 2013
The Spanish government has announced the first in a series of new austerity measures to be presented to the European Union.
Unemployment hits record highs in Spain, France
By Alex Lantier, 26 April 2013
The number of unemployed workers in Spain and France reached all-time highs, as Europe’s economic collapse accelerates under the impact of devastating austerity measures.
Anti-government sentiment dominates elections in Iceland
By Jordan Shilton, 26 April 2013
Elections in Iceland this weekend are likely to see a massive anti-government vote, putting an end to four years of rule by the Social Democrat-Left Green coalition.
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.
Democratic Party’s Enrico Letta will try to form Italian government
By Alex Lantier, 25 April 2013
After two months of crisis following February’s elections, recently reinstalled Italian President Giorgio Napolitano has tasked Enrico Letta with forming a government.
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.
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.
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.
Italy: Napolitano re-elected as president
By Peter Schwarz, 22 April 2013
The reelection of Georgio Napolitano as Italian president is a strictly temporary solution.
Spain’s Socialist Party and trade unions profit from redundancy schemes
By Vicky Short, 22 April 2013
The Socialist Workers Party (PSOE) and the two main trade unions, Workers Commissions (CCOO) and General Workers Union (UGT), are embroiled in a fraud scandal.
Presidential vote heightens political crisis in Italy
By Peter Schwarz, 20 April 2013
The election of Italy’s president, like the previous general election, has exposed deep divisions and bitter power struggles within the ruling elite.
EU, Greek government plan more mass layoffs, privatisations
By Robert Stevens, 19 April 2013
Under terms agreed with the “troika” some 15,000 public sector workers will lose their jobs by the end of 2014, including 4,000 jobs this year.
Dozens of migrant farmworkers shot in Greece
By Chris Marsden, 19 April 2013
Thirty or more migrant workers have been wounded in a shooting on a strawberry farm in southern Greece. Eight of the workers remain in critical condition.
IMF slashes world growth outlook
By Andre Damon, 18 April 2013
The International Monetary Fund downgraded its 2013 outlook for the world economy Tuesday amid mounting signs that the global slump is intensifying.
Siemens to slash 4,000 jobs in its industrial sector
By Elizabeth Zimmermann, 17 April 2013
Siemens plans to cut 4,000 jobs in its industrial sector worldwide in order to save 1.1 billion euros by 2014.
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
EU finance ministers demand more austerity at Dublin summit
By Stefan Steinberg, 15 April 2013
Despite data indicating that Europe’s recession will continue this year, European finance ministers meeting in Dublin over the weekend agreed to intensify austerity measures.
Irish unions support government austerity
By Jordan Shilton, 15 April 2013
Ireland’s trade unions are intensifying their collaboration with the government in order to implement a further €1 billion in austerity cuts.
European Union demands more austerity in Greece
By Robert Stevens, 13 April 2013
Eurogroup head Jeroen Dijsselbloem has warned that Greece needed to “speed up its efforts” in order to comply with the troika’s austerity programme.
Hundreds of thousands of defrauded small savers face loss of life savings in Spain
By Alejandro López, 12 April 2013
Over 700,000 Spanish bank depositors have been defrauded by the banks, including many who have lost their life savings.
Italy: Bersani, Berlusconi discuss forming coalition government
By Marianne Arens and Peter Schwarz, 12 April 2013
Seven weeks after the Italian election, the Democratic Party and the People of Freedom party are discussing a grand coalition to form a government.
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.
UK Council Tax changes spell deepening poverty for millions
By Dennis Moore, 10 April 2013
From this month, millions of the poorest people in the UK are being forced to pay Council Tax for the first time, plunging many into deeper poverty.
Germany’s Left Party defends the looting of Cyprus
By Christoph Dreier, 10 April 2013
With the escalation of the euro crisis, the Left Party is moving closer to the Merkel government and essentially supports its brutal course on Cyprus, which means the unprecedented looting of the country.
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.
UK politicians, media exploit children’s deaths to demand further attack on welfare
By Julie Hyland, 8 April 2013
Politicians in the UK have responded to the tragic deaths of six children in a house fire to demand even further cuts in welfare spending.
Health study: Austerity is costing lives in Europe
By Dietmar Henning, 6 April 2013
Large sections of the European population are paying with their health, or even their lives, for EU-dictated austerity measures.
UK: The political fraud of the “anti-bedroom tax” campaign
By Steve James, 6 April 2013
The pseudo-left parties in the UK are using opposition to the introduction of the “bedroom tax” to help the trade unions, Labour Party and Scottish National Party posture as opponents of austerity.
Cahuzac tax scandal, neo-fascist ties stagger France’s ruling Socialist Party
By Alex Lantier, 5 April 2013
The scandal over tax evasion by former Budget Minister Jérôme Cahuzac on bank accounts tied to business activities with neo-fascist groups has shaken the Socialist Party.
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.
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.
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.
Banks threaten to increase repossessions as Irish mortgage crisis deepens
By Jordan Shilton, 1 April 2013
As the vast scale of the mortgage debt crisis emerges in Ireland, the government and the banks prepare to increase repossessions.
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.
The European Union’s looting of Cyprus
By Julie Hyland, 29 March 2013
The working class of Cyprus faces mass poverty and a doubling of unemployment as the result of the bailout imposed on the small Mediterranean island.
French President Hollande pledges austerity, war in prime time TV interview
By Alex Lantier, 29 March 2013
In an hour-long television interview last night, French President François Hollande sought to outline his policies amid rising popular anger against his government.
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.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland not exempt from threat of National Health Service destruction
By Steve James, 28 March 2013
All the regional devolved administrations in the UK are pushing ahead the assault on health care underway in England.
Cyprus faces deep recession, high unemployment after bank bailout
By Julie Hyland, 27 March 2013
The €10 billion loan agreed between the Cypriot government and the European Union will see the country lose 20 percent of its GDP in three years, with unemployment doubling.
Germany: leading Left Party official praises Agenda 2010 reforms
By Hendrik Paul, 27 March 2013
The deputy leader of the Left Party’s parliamentary group praised the Agenda 2010 social cuts made by the former Social Democratic Party-Green Party coalition government.
European Union imposes bank bailout on Cyprus
By Jordan Shilton and Chris Marsden, 26 March 2013
The statement by Euro Group head Jeroen Dijsselbloem that the Cyprus bailout is a model for the rest of the euro zone led to falls on Europe’s financial markets.
UK teaching unions signal no resistance to cuts
By Jo March, 26 March 2013
Unions announce a timetable of rolling regional strikes, not scheduled to begin for three months.
Cyprus to face savage cuts and economic dictatorship
By Jordan Shilton and Chris Marsden, 23 March 2013
The fate of Cyprus illustrates how the European Union imposes the dictatorship of the global speculators, banks and corporations on the working class.
Germany: IG Metall union stitches up the Opel Bochum workforce
By Dietmar Henning, 23 March 2013
At two staff meetings on Thursday, workers at the Opel plant in Bochum voted by a large majority (76.1 percent) against the so-called “master contract”.
SYRIZA leader Tsipras addresses the British pseudo-left
By Robert Stevens, 23 March 2013
Alexis Tsipras, the leader of Greece’s SYRIZA spoke in London at several events last week.
Europe threatens Cyprus with bankruptcy in power struggle with Russia
By Alex Lantier, 22 March 2013
Cyprus’ parliament passed legislation granting the state emergency powers, including capital controls to block sudden outflows of money from the country.
Europe in crisis as Cyprus faces national bankruptcy
By Jordan Shilton and Chris Marsden, 21 March 2013
The collapse of Cyprus’s financial system is being avoided only by the continued closure of the banks, which may be kept shut until next Tuesday.
Osborne’s “Aspiration Nation” budget signals more UK austerity
By Paul Bond, 21 March 2013
Chancellor George Osborne’s budget speech has set out more money for British banks, speculators and major corporations, while workers face a continued wage freeze and greater cuts in social provision.
Germany: Resignation of ThyssenKrupp boss heralds new attacks on workforce
By Elizabeth Zimmermann, 20 March 2013
Gerhard Cromme announced his resignation March 8 as chair of the Supervisory Board of ThyssenKrupp AG.
European trade unions oversee auto industry restructuring
By Ulrich Rippert, 20 March 2013
Across Europe, trade unions are playing a key role in imposing mass layoffs, wage cuts and the closure of auto plants.
Cyprus banks close as bailout terms spark Europe-wide crisis
By Jordan Shilton and Chris Marsden, 19 March 2013
Terms attached to the European Union bailout for Cypriot banks triggered heavy losses on financial markets.
EU summit sparks run on Cyprus banks
By Stefan Steinberg and Chris Marsden, 18 March 2013
The decision by the European Union summit to levy a tax on Cyprus bank deposits to pay for a rescue package resulted in a stampede to withdraw cash from the country’s banks.
Statement by the Socialist Equality Party of Germany (PSG) and the editorial board of the World Socialist Web Site
Opel workers: Vote no on the contract!
15 March 2013
The agreement reached between GM-Opel management, IG Metall and the joint works council is aimed at pitting workers at different plants against each other and carrying out the closure of the Bochum factory.
EU summit wants more austerity
By Peter Schwarz, 14 March 2013
The summit attended by 27 leaders of the European Union in Brussels tonight resembles a besieged fortress.
The right-wing threat in Greece
By Cristoph Dreier, 13 March 2013
Some 68 years after the end of Nazi rule in Europe, fascistic organizations are again part of official politics, and entire ethnic groups are deported and humiliated.
Mass opposition to austerity in Portugal
By Paul Mitchell, 13 March 2013
The announcement that Portugal may be given an additional year to pay back the €78 billion bailout comes amid fears of economic meltdown and growing concern at the depth of public opposition.
EU discusses restructuring of Irish and Portuguese bailouts to deepen austerity
By Jordan Shilton, 13 March 2013
The EU finance ministers have agreed in principle to examine ways to restructure the bailout programmes of Ireland and Portugal.
Greek government courts fascist Golden Dawn with anti-immigrant law
By Christoph Dreier, 11 March 2013
As the social crisis worsens in Greece, the ruling class is courting the fascist Golden Dawn group to help it suppress popular opposition.
Police clash with workers fighting closure of Goodyear Amiens-Nord plant
By Antoine Lerougetel, 9 March 2013
Riot police sprayed tear-gas and fired pepper spray at hundreds of workers from the Goodyear Tire Amiens-Nord site in northern France Thursday.
The political significance of Beppe Grillo’s Five-Star Movement
By Marc Wells and Peter Schwarz, 9 March 2013
To understand the rise of Beppo Grillo one must take account the deep crisis of European capitalism and the bankruptcy of the traditional parties of the “left”.
The political issues confronting the Bulgarian protests
By Christoph Dreier, 8 March 2013
Protesters in Bulgaria oppose the austerity measures dictated by the EU and the IMF and the bitter poverty they have produced, but the organisers are mainly petty-bourgeois forces seeking their own share of the spoils.
European economy contracts as stock markets soar
By Stefan Steinberg, 8 March 2013
On the same day that figures were released underlining that Europe is in deepening recession, European stock markets soared to their highest levels since August 2008.
Italian parties endeavor to form a government
By Marianne Arens and Peter Schwarz, 6 March 2013
Italian parties are trying to form a government to continue the austerity measures of ex-premier Mario Monti.
Austerity demands provoke Greek government crisis
By Robert Stevens, 6 March 2013
The primary demand of the troika is that there be no retreat on plans to slash the number of civil service employees.
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