Western Europe
German Social Democrats invoke failed and abandoned reformist program
By Ulrich Rippert, November 16, 2009
The German Social Democratic Party, having suffered its worst ever result in September's national elections, pledged at its just completed congress to “return to the program of social democracy.”
Britain: The Cambridge review
A damning refutation of Labour’s education lies
By Tania Kent, November 16, 2009
A recently published study, the “Cambridge Primary Review: Children, their World, their Education”, is a damning critique of the destructive impact of Labour’s policies on an entire generation o...
Britain: Socialist Workers Party colludes in postal strike sellout
By Tony Robson, November 14, 2009
Among the 17 members of the executive of the Communication Workers Union of Britain (CWU) who voted unanimously to call off the postal strikes scheduled for November 6 and 9 is union president and Soc...
Germany: Chancellor Merkel follows the lead of employers and the FDP
By Dietmar Henning, November 14, 2009
In her first government statement following re-election as German chancellor, Angela Merkel has made a sharp turn to the right. She has given way to pressure from the pro-market FDP, the big business ...
BBC poll shows widespread disaffection with capitalism
By Julie Hyland, November 12, 2009
A global poll by the British Broadcasting Corporation shows widespread disaffection with the capitalist free-market, including a significant opposition to capitalism per se.
Right-wing campaign against Brown to ensure Afghan escalation
By Robert Stevens, November 12, 2009
Sections of the British armed forces and the pro-Conservative Party press are waging a concerted campaign for the drastic escalation of the war in Afghanistan.
German defence minister defends Kunduz massacre
By Ulrich Rippert, November 12, 2009
Shortly after taking office, the new German defence minister, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, has justified the Kunduz massacre carried out at the beginning of September in Afghanistan.
London postal workers condemn strike sell-out by Communication Workers Union
By our correspondents, November 11, 2009
Reporters from the World Socialist Web Site have been talking to postal workers in London about the decision by the Communication Workers Union to call off the national postal strike.
France: Former president Jacques Chirac to stand trial for corruption
By Antoine Lerougetel and Alex Lantier, November 11, 2009
Former President Jacques Chirac’s indictment is a major blow to the credibility of the political establishment.
Lockerbie: Human rights lawyer states Megrahi was framed
By Steve James, November 11, 2009
Leading British human rights lawyer Gareth Peirce believes that Abdel Baset Ali al-Megrahi, the only man accused and convicted of the 1988 bombing of PanAm flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, was fra...
Ratification of Lisbon Treaty provokes crisis for Britain’s Conservatives
By Julie Hyland, November 10, 2009
The Czech Republic’s ratification of the European Union’s Lisbon Treaty created a political maelstrom in the UK, exposing major divisions within the Conservative Party and the crisis facing Britis...
Germany: The Left Party in power implements massive job cuts
By Ludwig Weller, November 10, 2009
Following their long-standing collaboration with the SPD in Berlin, the Left Party has now entered a coalition with the SPD in the state of Brandenburg, pledging to axe thousands of public sector jobs...
