Europe

Credit ratings agency gives verdict on British economy

By Jean Shaoul, November 17, 2009

Credit ratings agency Fitch warns that Britain could lose its prized AAA status as a sovereign borrower.

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 ...

Workers Struggles: Europe & Africa

November 13, 2009

The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...