Dutch people say “no” in EU referendum The reaction of the media and the politicians to the massive “no” votes against the European Constitution in France and the Netherlands reveals the nature of our “elites”. However, all the propaganda was to no avail. A few days after the “non” vote in France, the same thing happened in the Netherlands.
From Handsoffvenezuela.org: NATFHE unanimous support for Bolivarian Revolution Over the past weekend the Annual National Conference of the 67,000 strong college and university lecturers union, NATFHE, which took place in Eastbourne, Britain, unanimously agreed to support the Bolivarian revolution and the measures that it has taken to help the workers and poor in Venezuela.
Toni Negri: against the Empire ... for a capitalist Europe! In the run up to the referendum on the EU constitution in France, a very popular intellectual, Toni Negri, decided to weigh in for the debate. Negri has now put himself on the same side as Chirac and Raffarin, the French bosses and the worst social democratic reformists, and come out in favour of a “yes” vote.
British TUC opposes US intervention in Venezuela and will not support Commission of Enquiry on Venezuela at ILO meeting Speaking at a meeting in solidarity with Venezuela in London, Frances O'Grady, Deputy General Secretary of the British Trade Union Congress, made clear the opposition of the TUC on US interference in Venezuela. See the article on the Hands off Venezuela website.
The referendum in France: Workers say "no" to capitalist Europe The referendum in France on the European Constitution has resulted in a decisive defeat for the ruling class. In spite of a particularly intense campaign by the media, the UMP government and the right-wing of the Socialist Party, 55% of voters have rejected the treaty.
The referendum in France: Workers say "no" to capitalist Europe The referendum in France on the European Constitution has resulted in a decisive defeat for the ruling class. In spite of a particularly intense campaign by the media, the UMP government and the right-wing of the Socialist Party, 55% of voters have rejected the treaty.
Early elections in Germany – a reflection of a deep crisis The political situation in Germany is changing rapidly as one political earthquake has been followed by another over the last few days. In last Sunday’s regional elections, Chancellor Schröder’s Social Democratic Party lost its traditional stronghold in North Rhine Westphalia . The SPD saw their share of the vote fall to a level not seen since the mid-1950s.
The struggle to defend the 35-hour week in Germany In 1984 there was a militant mood at the May Day rallies as the print workers and engineering workers in Germany prepared for an offensive struggle to achieve a reduction of the workweek without loss of pay. On May Day 2005, 21 years later, a new round of defensive battles to defend the 35-hour week started in the German printing industry.
Resolution in support of Pakistani journalists This resolution was unanimously passed by the Central London Branch of the National Union of Journalists in a meeting held on May 12.
The General Election of 2005: Results and Prospects As a postscript to British Perspectives 2005 (What is happening in Britain) Phil Mitchinson analyses the results of the recent general election in the context of mounting insecurity in the British economy, politics and society as a whole. Labour won the election with the smallest share of the vote of any victorious party in history. With the government's majority severely reduced how much longer can Blair last? 'New' Labour has set off on a collision course with its own backbenches and with the trade unions and the working class.
Gerry Ruddy and Danny of the IRSP in the Basque Country Ezker Marxista and El Militante organised a speaking tour last week throughout the Basque Country, with Gerry Rudy and Danny of the IRSP (Irish Republican Socialist Party) speaking in many Basque working class neighbourhoods, drawing the lessons of the experiences in Ireland and linking these to the struggle for national liberation of the Basque Country. The common thread was the need for the organised working class to take a lead in the struggle and link it to a socialist perspective.
Gerry Ruddy and Danny of the IRSP in the Basque Country Ezker Marxista and El Militante organised a speaking tour last week throughout the Basque Country, with Gerry Rudy and Danny of the IRSP (Irish Republican Socialist Party) speaking in many Basque working class neighbourhoods, drawing the lessons of the experiences in Ireland and linking these to the struggle for national liberation of the Basque Country. The common thread was the need for the organised working class to take a lead in the struggle and link it to a socialist perspective.
FBU Conference 2005: No2 Fire Deaths, No to attacks on our working conditions Last week’s FBU conference revealed a militant fighting mood, with Matt Wrack, the new General Secretary, expressing an equally fighting spirit.
Massive general strike in Greece – A new stage in the class struggle On May 11th a massive general strike took place in Greece. The trade union leaders were forced to call the strike as the anger of the workers mounted. The ND government has come out with an all-out attack on the working class and the workers have responded. Report from Marxistiki Foni.
1945 – 2005: Never again! We have just celebrated the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and the liberation from fascism. Exactly 60 years ago the leadership of the German Wehrmacht signed the capitulation. Yesterday in the former concentration camp (KZ) of Mauthausen and in Vienna thousands of people showed their opposition to war and to fascism.
