Germany
Germany: Opel workers oppose cuts in holiday pay
By Ulrich Rippert, July 15, 2009
Resistance is mounting amongst Opel workers to continuing wage cuts, the dismantling of tariff agreements and deteriorating working conditions.
Criminal charges dropped against former German bank chief
By Justus Leicht, July 11, 2009
Criminal proceedings against IKB bank’s board have been dropped. The German judicial system is evidently intent on ensuring that no one is held to account for the criminal practices of German banker...
German military to engage more offensively in Afghanistan
By Marius Heuser, July 6, 2009
Over a half century after the Second World War, the German government is systematically working to condition the population to the role of the German army as a force for aggression.
German’s Constitutional Court issues nationalist ruling on European Union
By Peter Schwarz, July 4, 2009
The Federal Constitutional Court passed a judgment on Tuesday, which will have sweeping repercussions for the future development of Europe.
Germany: Joschka Fischer takes post as Nabucco pipeline adviser
By Ulrich Rippert, July 3, 2009
Former Green Party leader and German foreign minister Joschka Fischer has taken up a lucrative post with the Nabucco pipeline project.
German parliament opens way for Internet censorship
By Andreas Kunstmann, June 30, 2009
The German parliament has passed a law using child pornography as a pretext to censure the Internet.
As the German budget deficit soars
Government parties plan drastic austerity measures
By Peter Schwarz, June 27, 2009
Following this year’s federal election, the parties in the German grand coalition are all determined to unload the consequences of the world economic crisis and the country’s huge debt burden onto...
German Left Party leader promotes reformist politics
By Peter Schwarz, June 25, 2009
The main concern at the latest congress of the Left Party in Berlin was to arrive at a compromise resolution capable of satisfying the various currents inside the party.
Germany: Child care workers fight for better pay and conditions
By Dietmar Henning, June 19, 2009
Staff employed in kindergartens and child day-care centres throughout Germany have been on strike for better pay and conditions, along with those working in juvenile and social welfare agencies.
Germany: Thousands demonstrate against run-down of the education system
By our correspondents, June 18, 2009
Mass demonstrations by students on Wednesday were the high point in a week of actions protesting against the run-down of the education system.
Kindergarten staff strike in Germany: 30,000 demonstrate in Cologne
By our correspondents, June 17, 2009
Tens of thousands of kindergarten and child care staff protested in Cologne June 15, but union officials provided a platform for German government representatives at the mass rally.
Germany: European elections pave way for department store bankruptcy
By Ludwig Weller, June 16, 2009
The results of the European elections have paved the way for the German government’s forced bankruptcy of Arcandor/Karstadt, which may result in the loss of 56,000 jobs.
