Germany
EU-Turkey tensions mount over Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean
By Hasan Yıldırım, 3 December 2020
The unilateral opening of Varosha or Maraş in northern Cyprus and Ankara’s proposed two-state solution have intensified tensions between the European Union and Turkey.
“So that rifles shoot”: Germany’s Green Party leader Baerbock pleads for massive arms spending and new war missions
By Johannes Stern, 3 December 2020
In advance of next year’s federal elections, the Greens are spearheading the campaign for the return of German militarism.
Engels in the meat grinder
Germany’s Left Party slanders the legacy of Friedrich Engels
By Peter Schwarz, 2 December 2020
The attempt to cut this theoretical giant down to the size of the political needs of the Left Party assumed truly grotesque dimensions.
Resolution in Germany: “Close schools and day-care centres and organize safe education!”
By Network of Action Committees for Safe Education, 1 December 2020
The following statement was adopted by the Network of Action Committees for Safe Education at its meeting last Friday.
Meeting of the Network of Action Committees for Safe Education
In Germany, dozens of students, parents and teacher representatives call for school strikes and safe education
By Our reporters, 1 December 2020
On Friday evening, the network of Action Committees for Safe Education in Germany held its largest online meeting to date.
Despite strikes and protests over coronavirus, schools and day-care centres remain open in Germany
By Marianne Arens, 30 November 2020
Last week’s Coronavirus Summit, attended by Chancellor Angela Merkel along with the 16 heads of the state governments, demonstrated one thing: businesses, schools and day-care centres are to be kept open no matter what.
German Green Party sets course for government based on promoting militarism and war
By Jan Ritter and Max Linhof, 30 November 2020
The party made clear that a future Green federal government and/or Green chancellor would continue and expand the right-wing militaristic policies espoused by the current CDU-SPD grand coalition.
Interior Minister in German state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania forced to resign over ties to neo-Nazi network
By Gregor Link, 25 November 2020
Research from the TAZ daily and Der Spiegel magazine revealed in the days leading up to his resignation that Caffier bought a Glock handgun in early 2018 from the right-wing extremist Frank T.–allegedly so he could go hunting.
Strikes and protests across Germany against regular school operations
By Gregor Link and Philipp Frisch, 24 November 2020
Faced with mass infections at schools and a cover-up by the federal and state governments, students throughout Germany are beginning to take the protection of their health and that of their families into their own hands.
Backed by the union, Mercedes plans to close its oldest factory in Berlin
By Ludwig Weller, 23 November 2020
For many decades, every corporate decision affecting the workforce made at Marienfelde and all other Mercedes factories has been discussed beforehand with the works councils, which then develop strategies for their implementation.
Stop the rearming of Germany’s air force, army, and navy!
By Johannes Stern, 21 November 2020
Six years after the federal government declared the end of military restraint at the 2014 Munich Security Conference, the largest rearmament programme since the Second World War is being implemented, in spite of the coronavirus pandemic.
German steelmaker Thyssenkrupp destroys another 5,000 jobs
By Elisabeth Zimmermann, 20 November 2020
The IG Metall union has already agreed to a cut of 6,000 jobs, meaning that some 11,000 workers now face the scrap heap.
Germany’s schools remain open despite a massive second wave of COVID-19
By Marianne Arens, 19 November 2020
Governments at the national and state levels are keeping schools and day care centres open, ensuring that the pandemic will continue to explode, pushing up death rates.
German unions offer Lufthansa up to 50 percent compensation reduction
By Ulrich Rippert, 18 November 2020
According to their own statements, the unons are offering the Lufthansa board of directors a 1.2 billion euro cut in the income of union members.
German federal government demands faster destruction of Lufthansa jobs
By Ulrich Rippert, 17 November 2020
Lufthansa is to be made more competitive in relation to other European airlines and prepared for a worldwide trade war.
German artists, cultural institutions fight for survival in COVID-19 crisis
By Stefan Steinberg, 17 November 2020
German artists and cultural institutions fear bankruptcy and destitution as the coronavirus crisis deepens and the government refuses to allocate adequate funding.
Sixty-five years of the Bundeswehr: German president appeals for militarism, rearmament and war
By Johannes Stern, 16 November 2020
Steinmeier’s claim that the Bundeswher has nothing to do with “the unwholesome role of German militarism” and the criminal record of the Wehrmacht is just as dishonest today as it was 65 years ago.
Coronavirus spreads throughout Germany’s schools and businesses
By Gregor Link, 16 November 2020
The federal and state governments are responsible for a situation in which the virus is running out of control nationwide.
Herd immunity policy in German schools leads to explosion of coronavirus infections
By Marianne Arens, 14 November 2020
Even the prospect of a breakthrough regarding a COVID-19 vaccine does not impel capitalist politicians to pursue a sensible, safe pandemic policy.
Neo-Nazis march in Germany on anniversary of anti-Jewish November Pogroms
By Peter Schwarz, 14 November 2020
On the night of November 9–10, 1938, Nazis across Germany torched synagogues, looted Jewish businesses, murdered hundreds of Jews and sent tens of thousands more to concentration camps.
Far-right demonstration in Leipzig, Germany, supported by judiciary, police and government
By Peter Schwarz, 12 November 2020
Police in Leipzig not only permitted far-right demonstrators to run riot in the city, but they also actively supported them.
German schools become coronavirus hotspots: 300,000 students in quarantine
By Gregor Link and Markus Salzmann, 12 November 2020
Although studies show that the closure of schools, day-care centres and non-essential businesses effectively slow down the increase of infections, governments in Germany and Europe generally reject such closures.
Coronavirus infections in Germany hit a new record
By Markus Salzmann, 10 November 2020
The situation is particularly tense in the capital. For the first time, Berlin is registering more than 15,000 active coronavirus cases.
German public service union ensures smooth operation of public transport despite resurgence of coronavirus pandemic
By Andy Niklaus, 9 November 2020
Last week, Verdi dropped its demand for a uniform nationwide contract and signed separate agreements in two German states.
In face of rising coronavirus infections, teachers, students, and parents express support for European-wide school strike
By Gregor Link, 7 November 2020
From a scientific standpoint, it has long been shown that schools and kindergartens are breeding grounds for the coronavirus.
German political establishment demands foreign policy “sovereignty” after US elections
By Johannes Stern, 5 November 2020
Representatives of all parties are demanding a more aggressive foreign and military policy that is more independent of the United States.
German teachers, students and parents oppose keeping schools open as pandemic spreads
By Gregor Link, 5 November 2020
As new COVID-19 cases explode due to the German government’s deliberate policy of mass infection, strong opposition to keeping schools open is growing.
Pianist Igor Levit joins rally against far-right Alternative for Germany in Potsdam
By Ulrich Rippert, 2 November 2020
Only days after several German newspapers published vicious denunciations of Igor Levit, the world renowned pianist participated in a rally against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Potsdam.
Right-wing propagandists in Germany promote “herd immunity”
By Gregor Link, 2 November 2020
The deadly policies of the German government, sending workers back into workplaces and pupils into schools in the midst of the pandemic, are accompanied by a reactionary propaganda campaign by politicians and the media.
The relaunch of the WSWS and the fight against fascism
By Johannes Stern, 30 October 2020
As in the 1930s, the great challenge is to provide the mass of the working population with a clear program and perspective.
Germany: Public service workers up in arms against Verdi contract
By Dietmar Gaisenkersting, 30 October 2020
While politicians from all main political parties and union officials spread the fairy tale that the contract deal reached last weekend represents a victory for public service workers, those affected, however, are outraged.
Priceless artefacts vandalised in Berlin museums
By Stefan Steinberg, 29 October 2020
While the police investigate “in all directions,” there is considerable evidence to indicate the involvement of far-right forces in the attacks.
Germany’s Verdi union stabs public sector workers in the back
By Dietmar Gaisenkersting, 29 October 2020
The deal struck by Verdi is scandalous, involving a minimal increase from the provocative initial offer made by the employers.
Far right attacks scientists as coronavirus infections explode in Germany
By Gregor Link, 28 October 2020
On Saturday night, the Robert Koch Institute was the target of an arson attack. According to the police, unknown assailants attacked an institute building in Tempelhof-Schöneberg with several flammable objects.
Right-wing press in Germany steps up attacks on pianist Igor Levit
By Ulrich Rippert, 26 October 2020
The Süddeutsche Zeitung editorial board’s initial defence of its article, as well as subsequent articles in Die Welt, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung and Neue Zürcher Zeitung, reveal that these leading newspapers share essentially the same line as the far right Alternative for Germany.
Continuing wage dispute at the Berlin’s Charité hospital
By Markus Salzmann, 26 October 2020
In their fight for higher wages and safe working conditions, the employees of Charité’s subsidiary find themselves confronted by an alliance of Berlin’s “red-red-green” coalition government and the Verdi Union.
Catastrophic increase of coronavirus infections in Germany
By Gregor Link, 24 October 2020
Since January, over 380,000 people in Germany have been infected with COVID-19, more than one in ten within the last seven days.
Germany’s Left Party embraces “herd immunity” policy
By Johannes Stern, 23 October 2020
“I am preparing myself for the fact that we must learn to live with coronavirus,” Left Party State Premier Bodo Ramelow said last week.
The pianist Igor Levit and the defense of culture against fascism
By David North and Clara Weiss, 22 October 2020
Levit has emerged as a powerful voice against the resurgence of neo-Nazism in Germany, which finds its most putrid expression in the growing political power of the Alternative für Deutschland.
David North presents Thirty Years of War at Frankfurt Book Fair
By our correspondents, 21 October 2020
North spoke with Johannes Stern, a WSWS editor and representative of Mehring Verlag, about the significance of the book and the socialist perspective upon which the analysis contained within it is based.
IG Metall union demands state involvement at German steelmaker Thyssenkrupp
By Dietmar Gaisenkersting, 20 October 2020
The billions in state funds being called for are aimed not at saving jobs, but preserving the fortunes of the big shareholders.
German parents’ associations protest against dangerous school openings
By Gregor Link, 19 October 2020
More and more workers and young people in Germany and Europe as a whole oppose the policy of herd immunity decreed by ruling circles, a policy that will result in the death of hundreds of thousands of people.
Student council at Leipzig University opposes invitation to German right-wing extremist professor Jörg Baberowski
By Noah Windstein, 17 October 2020
It is particularly cynical for Baberowski to speak on the issue of peace in light of his trivialisation of the Holocaust and the arson attacks by neo-Nazis on refugee centres.
7,000 new infections in 24 hours: Germany’s highest COVID numbers since beginning of pandemic
By Marianne Arens, 17 October 2020
The German chancellor and leaders of the federal states are maintaining their policy of herd immunity despite the eruption of a second wave of coronavirus cases.
Large-scale police deployment evicts alternative housing project in Berlin, Germany
By Justus Leicht and Peter Schwarz, 16 October 2020
The mobilization of thousands of police officers to evict an alternative housing project must be understood as a serious warning. In the face of social tensions and the catastrophic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, the ruling class is preparing to violently suppress any opposition from below.
Tripling of new coronavirus infections in Germany in only one month
By Marianne Arens, 15 October 2020
Anger is growing among workers at the herd immunity policy being imposed by big business, as the government is using the pandemic as an excuse to deploy the army within Germany.
One year after anti-Semitic terrorist attack in Halle
Right-wing extremist networks in German state apparatus continue to grow
By Jan Ritter, 14 October 2020
Recent days have seen several new instances of right-wing extremists within the German state apparatus come to light.
Coronavirus infections threaten Germany’s hospitals with overload
By Markus Salzmann, 13 October 2020
In the last months, protective measures against the virus have been almost completely dismantled. The government has done nothing to prepare hospitals for the inevitable rise in serious cases.
Poverty in Germany: Power cuts for 289,000 households
By Elisabeth Zimmermann, 13 October 2020
Hundreds of thousands had no lights, no warm water, could use neither stoves nor refrigerators, could not do laundry and had no access to radio, television or the internet.
Protest strikes in German public transit: Workers’ anger grows over unsafe working conditions
By Andy Niklaus and Christoph Vandreier, 12 October 2020
While the trade unions are limiting the public transit strikes to a set of minimum demands, anger amongst the workforce at the miserable level of wages and unsafe working conditions is growing.
Accelerated job cuts in German auto industry
By Dietmar Gaisenkersting, 12 October 2020
Barely a day goes by without a new announcement of cutbacks and job cuts in the German auto industry.
Thirty years of German unity: Berlin increases military spending, incites nationalism and war
By Johannes Stern, 10 October 2020
The defence minister made no secret of the fact that Germany is arming itself with the deadliest weapons in order to wage war around the world in defence of its economic and geostrategic interest—increasingly against its erstwhile allies.
State of emergency declared in Madrid as COVID-19 resurgence sweeps Europe
By Jordan Shilton, 10 October 2020
New daily infections in Europe Friday surpassed the 100,000 mark for the second day running.
Reopening of German schools leads to explosion of COVID-19 infections
By Gregor Link, 10 October 2020
The ruling class knows that it is preparing a catastrophe with its ruthless policy of opening up the economy and its refusal to take serious measures to contain the virus.
Germany, France to sanction Russia over Navalny’s alleged poisoning
By Clara Weiss, 10 October 2020
Nothing published by the OPCW and the imperialist powers on the poisoning of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny can be taken at face value.
New study throws light on Nazi past of Berlin film festival’s founder
By Stefan Steinberg, 9 October 2020
Alfred Bauer (1911-1986) was not the only prominent film personality to cover up his or her connections to the Nazi regime.
German court frees right-wing extremist accused of complicity in assassination of Walter Lübcke
By Peter Schwarz, 8 October 2020
The neo-Nazi Markus Hartmann, who was accused in the trial for the murder of German regional politician Walter Lübcke, was freed from custody last Thursday.
German state and political parties promote anti-Semitism
By Peter Schwarz, 8 October 2020
Seventy-five years after the holocaust, anti-Semitic violence is on the rise in Germany.
Germany’s parliamentary parties elect far-right AfD candidate to Gera city council
By Martin Nowak, 7 October 2020
The latest developments in the east German city of Gera underline the sharp turn to the right by the ruling class.
The return of the Hohenzollern imperial dynasty to Germany
By Ulrich Rippert, 6 October 2020
The impudent demands of the Hohenzollerns aim at not only the shameless enrichment of the former ruling family, but also its return to a place “at the top” of German society.
COVID-19 infections on the rise in Germany
By Marianne Arens, 6 October 2020
The age of the infected, for both mild and severe cases, has been decreasing as infections rise. The average age of those hospitalised has dropped to 37 years.
Foreword to 30 Years of War, the German edition of David North’s A Quarter Century of War
By Johannes Stern, 5 October 2020
After three decades of US-led wars, the outbreak of a third world war, whichwould be fought with nuclear weapons, is an imminent and concrete danger. Based on a thorough understanding of the wars of the past three decades and the socioeconomic and political processes in which they were rooted, this book develops a socialist perspective for the struggle against war.
30 years of German unity
By Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei, 3 October 2020
As German political leaders commemorate the dissolution of East Germany and its incorporation by West Germany 30 years ago, the earlier promises of freedom, democracy, and prosperity are being refuted daily by reality.
Wolfgang Clement: The unvarnished face of Germany’s SPD
By Peter Schwarz, 3 October 2020
Clement was a ruthless defender of capitalist interests and regarded as his party’s most important task disciplining the working class and ensuring they kept working.
COVID-19 in Germany: No protection for high-risk groups despite dramatic increase in infections
By Joshua Seubert and Markus Salzmann, 3 October 2020
As in other European countries, the number of infections in Germany is reaching dramatic highs after school reopenings, exposing schoolchildren, teachers and educators to mortal danger.
Protest strikes in German public sector and local transport
By Marianne Arens and Andy Niklaus, 1 October 2020
As part of the collective bargaining round for 2.3 million public sector workers, protest strikes are currently taking place in day-care centres and hospitals, town halls, government offices, savings banks, refuse companies and elsewhere.
The Asgaard security firm: Neo-Nazi networks in German army and police
By Jan Ritter, 29 September 2020
Asgaard advertises among and employs former and active police officers and soldiers, who were described by “Kontraste” as highly specialised men.
Germany railway workers’ union agrees to wage cuts at Deutsche Bahn
By Marianne Arens, 29 September 2020
Together with the management of Deutsche Bahn AG and the transport minister, the EVG union supports the restructuring of the railways at the cost of the workforce.
Warning strikes in German public sector: Growing anger over low wages and insecure working conditions
By Gregor Link, 28 September 2020
Some 2.3 million public sector workers face a sellout by the Verdi union, including educators, local government workers and daycare workers who are at the forefront of the pandemic.
Germany’s IG Metall trade union establishes fund to eliminate “overcapacity” in auto parts industry
By Dietmar Gaisenkersting, 25 September 2020
IG Metall established its own private equity fund earlier this summer to finance the restructuring of Germany’s auto industry.
Germany’s school openings throw fuel onto the pandemic’s fire
By Marianne Arens, 24 September 2020
Only five of the almost 300 German administrative districts currently report no new infections, as the number of people with COVID-19 rises rapidly.
Whistle-blowers speak out as German authorities cover up coronavirus cases at schools and day-care centres
By Martin Nowak and Gregor Link, 22 September 2020
Despite hundreds of teaching and care facilities being infected, school and health authorities, as well as the federal and state governments, with the support of the trade unions, are doing everything in their power to continue reopening schools.
Lufthansa prepares to double job cuts to nearly 40,000
By Gustav Kemper, 21 September 2020
Lufthansa is considering reducing its current workforce by about 30 percent or almost twice as many as the German airline announced at the end of June.
Germany: Right-wing extremist network in police pays homage to Hitler and the Nazis
By Jan Ritter, 19 September 2020
A photo montage shared online by police officers shows a grinning SS soldier pressing a button marked “Gas.” In the background, refugees are screaming in fear in a gas chamber.
Neo-Nazis in German police issue new threats
By Gregor Link, 19 September 2020
The extreme-right continues its work because it is being protected by senior authorities in the state apparatus.
Build an independent action committee to defend jobs and wages!
Union suppresses criticism of job cuts at German steel producer ThyssenKrupp
By Dietmar Gaisenkersting, 19 September 2020
Major corporations, banks and hedge funds are using the pandemic to launch attacks on wages and jobs worked out long before the crisis.
Germany: Local elections in North Rhine-Westphalia express growing opposition to official politics
By Peter Schwarz, 18 September 2020
Half of all eligible voters stayed at home. Many saw no point in voting between parties that work together and pursue similar right-wing, anti-working-class policies.
Network of Action Committees for Safe Education holds first online meeting
Stop the dangerous “routine operation” of schools in Germany! Prepare a nationwide general strike!
By our reporters, 18 September 2020
In his report to the meeting, SGP deputy leader Christoph Vandreier noted that infections have already been reported at over 1,000 schools and 300 childcare facilities across Germany.
Military research at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
By Gregor Link, 18 September 2020
As Germany again takes up aggressive great power politics, German universities are once more serving the needs of war and dictatorship, just as they did before the First and Second World Wars. A major centre of German weapons research is the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT).
Stop the dangerous “routine operation” of schools in Germany! Prepare a nationwide general strike!
Set up independent action committees for the safety of teachers, pupils and parents!
By the Action Committees for Safe Education, 14 September 2020
The completely unsafe routine operation of schools threatens the health and lives of millions of educators, parents, children, young people and their families.
German Left Party preparing to enter government and support war
By Johannes Stern, 14 September 2020
In August, the Left Party’s parliamentary leader Dietmar Bartsch backed the German Army’s foreign deployments. Now foreign affairs spokesperson Gregor Gysi is going further.
Revelation of US government conspiracy on COVID-19 exposes EU herd immunity policy
By Alex Lantier, 12 September 2020
Revelations that US officials conspired to lie to the public about the severity of the coronavirus pandemic also expose the politically criminal role of the EU.
Full classes, full buses—German schools are becoming a coronavirus trap
By Marianne Arens, 12 September 2020
With schools re-opening without social distancing and the wearing of masks, new infections are increasing. Throughout Germany, hundreds of facilities have been affected.
Lies in the Navalny case
By Peter Schwarz, 10 September 2020
The relationship between Germany and Russia has reached its lowest point since Berlin supported the pro-Western coup in Ukraine six years ago and Russia annexed Crimea.
Germany is reopening all schools despite rising coronavirus infections
By Marianne Arens, 5 September 2020
The lockdown in the spring saved millions of lives throughout Europe, but now schools and day care centres are being reopened, despite the rising spread of infections.
Germany’s trade unions and municipalities prepare to slash wages of public service workers
By Peter Schwarz, 5 September 2020
The same politicians who were gushing in their praise for nurses, teachers, bus drivers and other public service employees who worked through the pandemic are now going to cut their already miserable wages.
Coronavirus assistance for university students in Germany—a calculated fraud
By Lisa Lachlan, 4 September 2020
Since June, angry and indignant posts have been mounting on social media accusing the government of ignorance and inaction, disregarding the needs of roughly a million students in need of assistance.
German court sentences members of leftist Turkish party to prison
By Justus Leicht, 4 September 2020
The verdict sends the message that anyone who is left-wing and/or opposes a regime allied with Germany can be imprisoned for years.
Germany’s IG Metall union organizes job cuts at Thyssenkrupp-Stahl
By Dietmar Gaisenkersting, 3 September 2020
The IG Metall trade union is pushing ahead with the break-up of the company under an agreement reached with Thyssenkrupp AG management at the end of May.
The case of Alexei Navalny and the imperialist intervention in Russian politics
By Clara Weiss, 3 September 2020
While the circumstances of Navalny’s illness are still under investigation, his case has become a focal point for the intervention of the imperialist powers in Russian politics.
The far right’s storming of the German parliament
By Christoph Vandreier, 1 September 2020
Some 30,000 right-wing extremists, anti-Semites and their supporters protested in the German capital on Saturday against any effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Students, teachers, parents and nursery staff in Germany oppose school reopenings
By Gregor Link, 29 August 2020
As the country’s various state governments rush ahead with the policy of opening schools, growing numbers are expressing their opposition to the move.
German federal and state governments protect profits instead of lives
By Christoph Vandreier, 29 August 2020
Chancellor Merkel and the German state premiers to continue their dangerous policies, despite increasing COVID-19 infection rates.
In the wake of George Floyd’s murder: Police violence on the rise in Germany
By Max Linhof and Jan Ritter, 28 August 2020
Three months after the police murder of George Floyd in America and the continuing police violence in the US, similar scenes are taking place on the streets of German cities.
German students establish action committee against school reopenings
By Philipp Frisch, 28 August 2020
Students at a vocational school center in Dortmund have formed an action committee to oppose the reopening of schools during the coronavirus pandemic, the dangerous results of which they confront every day.
German schools reopening without safety measures as coronavirus cases increase
By Marianne Arens and Gregor Link, 26 August 2020
The federal and state governments in Germany are setting the stage for a further explosion in the number of cases by reopening schools.
The CumEx fraud in Germany: Organised crime with government support
By Gustav Kemper and Peter Schwarz, 24 August 2020
The tax authorities, government and judiciary closed their eyes as banks and shareholders helped themselves to €31.8 billion in public funds between 2001 and 2016.
European countries force children back to school amid resurgence of COVID-19
By Alejandro López, 22 August 2020
The drive to reopen schools after the summer break continues unabated throughout Europe as the resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic accelerates across the continent.
Russian oppositionist Alexei Navalny flown to German hospital after doctors dispute poisoning claims
By Andrea Peters, 22 August 2020
Russian doctors declared Friday that Navalny’s critical illness was caused by a metabolic disorder brought on by hypoglycemia, not poisoning.
German Socialist Equality Party campaign against reopening schools finds significant response
By our reporters, 22 August 2020
The Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei’s call to build action committees to prepare a general strike in Germany against the reopening of schools has been shared hundreds of times on social media and found thousands of readers.
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