Germany
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.
Thirty years since the capitalist reunification of Germany
Berlin leads when it comes to child poverty, precarious jobs and mass unemployment
By Wolfgang Weber, 21 August 2020
Berlin is being hit with full force by the economic and social consequences of the Corona policy of the city’s government, a coalition of the SPD, Left Party and Greens.
Germany’s Left Party hails the SPD’s chancellor candidate, pledges support for militarism and war
By Johannes Stern, 21 August 2020
The Left Party embraces Olaf Scholz not despite, but rather because of his reactionary policies.
German authorities cover up COVID-19 infections in Hamburg schools
By Gregor Link, 21 August 2020
Events in Hamburg show how recklessly the ruling class is putting the lives of teachers, pupils and parents at risk and covering up the true extent of the pandemic.
Germany’s IG Metall trade union preparing to enforce jobs massacre and deep wage cuts
By Dietmar Gaisenkersting, 19 August 2020
Big business and the trade unions are exploiting the coronavirus pandemic to secure the upper hand in the global trade war by imposing savage attacks on workers.
A risky game with health and lives as schools reopen throughout Germany
By Gregor Link, 17 August 2020
With the beginning of mandatory school attendance, the number of COVID-19 infections is increasing.
For a general strike against the reopening of German schools!
By Statement of the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei, 15 August 2020
By demanding a return to face-to-face teaching amid rising coronavirus infection rates, German state governments of all stripes are putting the health and lives of countless teachers, students and parents at risk.
Mounting opposition against school openings in Germany
By Carola Kleinert and Gregor Link, 14 August 2020
While many teachers, parents and students are opposed to opening schools under unsafe conditions, administrators and politicians are arrogantly ignoring their concerns.
German court and state prosecutor ignore evidence of far-right terrorist network in Lübcke trial
By Dietmar Gaisenkersting, 14 August 2020
The long preparation time for the murder of Lübcke and the close connections of the defendants to the violent neo-Nazi scene strongly suggest that there were other confidants or accomplices.
Germany: SPD nominates Finance Minister Scholz as its candidate for chancellor
By Peter Schwarz, 13 August 2020
Scholz’s nomination is a signal to the financial oligarchy and the right-wing elements in the state apparatus that they can rely on the SPD without reservation.
Germany deports Roma family to Moldova despite life-threatening conditions
By Carola Kleinert, 12 August 2020
The deportations were planned and carried out by the Social Democratic/Left Party/Green government in the state of Berlin.
Germany reopens its schools: An experiment in herd immunity
By Marianne Arens, 11 August 2020
Although there are currently more than 1,000 new coronavirus infections per day in Germany, all of the country’s state governments are ruthlessly enforcing the reopening of schools after the summer break.
Germany: Did AfD-related public prosecutors cover up right-wing extremist attacks in Berlin?
By Katerina Selin, 11 August 2020
New evidence points to the fact that right-wing extremists associated with the Alternative for Germany within the judicial system have deliberately delayed and hindered investigations into violent attacks .
German government continues to boost military spending and cover for fascists
By Johannes Stern, 10 August 2020
The billion-euro armament projects are aimed at expanding Germany’s ability to make war, including the upgrading of the elite KSK force, which is riddled with fascists.
German schools reopen despite increase in coronavirus infections
By Marianne Arens, 8 August 2020
In order to ensure the capitalists can turn a profit, all established parties, from the Christian Social Union to the Left Party, are pushing for a return to regular in-person teaching.
Lufthansa, backed by unions, expands job cuts
By Ulrich Rippert, 8 August 2020
In stepping up its attacks on airline workers, Lufthansa collaborates closely with its three unions—UFO, Cockpit and Verdi.
Fascist death squads preparing to carry out mass murder in Germany
By Jordan Shilton, 7 August 2020
Police officers, former military officers and far-right operatives engaged in a vast conspiracy to hoard large quantities of munitions and weaponry, establish safe houses, identify political opponents, and procure the necessary materials to secretly dispose of dead bodies.
Far-right protest against COVID-19 restrictions in Berlin: A put-up job
By Peter Schwarz, 6 August 2020
The protest in Berlin was a predictable, put-up job, which closely resembled the scenario of the Pegida demonstrations held five years ago.
Germany: Right-wing terror in Erfurt
By Marianne Arens, 6 August 2020
On August 1, three Guineans were brutally attacked by neo-Nazis in Erfurt and had to be taken to hospital.
Fascist networks in German police and military issue new death threats
By Jan Ritter and Max Linhof, 5 August 2020
A growing number of threatening e-mails and faxes, almost all signed NSU 2.0, have been sent to left-wing artists, immigrants, politicians, journalists and lawyers.
The US troop withdrawal and the return of German militarism
By Peter Schwarz, 4 August 2020
The American withdrawal plans serve the ruling class in Europe and Germany as an excuse to accelerate their own rearmament plans.
“How war and dictatorship are prepared at universities”
Well-attended online meeting concludes IYSSE election campaign at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
By our reporters, 4 August 2020
“The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology is one of the centres of German war weapons research,” IYSSE candidate Gregor Kahl told the meeting.
International Olympic Committee promotes Olympics with Nazi propaganda
By Stefan Steinberg, 3 August 2020
The inclusion of clips from Leni Riefenstahl’s Olympia film makes clear that attempts to sanitise the crimes of the National Socialists is not limited to the spheres of politics and academia.
Reopening of schools in Germany puts the lives of children and educators at stake
By Andrea Reissner, 1 August 2020
The situation is highly dangerous. Since the easing of the coronavirus restrictions, the number of cases in Europe, and in Germany, is once again on the rise.
Germany: “Voluntary military service in Homeland Security”—an invitation to neo-Nazis
By Peter Schwarz, 30 July 2020
The term “Homeland Security” (“Heimatschutz”), which appears eleven times in a short advertising text on the Ministry of Defence website, is a battle cry of the extreme right.
Germany: Stop right-wing terror! IYSSE student parliament campaign at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
“The Secret Service is the cockpit of right-wing terrorism”
By our reporter, 30 July 2020
Last Friday, the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) held their first online campaign rally as part of the student parliament election at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT).
Germany’s “voluntary military service”: Government recruits for army deployments at home and abroad
By Johannes Stern, 28 July 2020
The programme has two key goals: a major deployment of the army domestically, and the recruitment of new soldiers for external wars.
WISAG ground services slashes hundreds of jobs at Berlin Tegel Airport
By Gustav Kemper and Wolfgang Weber, 28 July 2020
This attack has long been planned by the company, the Berlin state executive and the Verdi trade union. Now the coronavirus pandemic and impending closure of Tegel are being used as the excuse to implement it.
Wirecard and the criminality of capitalism
By Peter Schwarz, 27 July 2020
The public prosecutor’s office is investigating the executives for commercial fraud, balance sheet forgery, market manipulation, embezzlement of assets and money laundering.
Germany: Daimler doubles job cuts from 15,000 to 30,000—shareholders rejoice as stock price rises
By K. Nesan, 25 July 2020
Daimler workers and millions of employees in companies associated with the automotive industry should regard these dismissals as the beginning of a broad campaign of unprecedented attacks.
Trial of Halle synagogue shooter begins in Germany
By Peter Schwarz, 24 July 2020
Stephan Balliet is accused of double murder, 68 counts of attempted murder, predatory extortion, dangerous bodily harm and sedition.
German chicken processing plant remains open despite coronavirus outbreak
By Marianne Arens, 24 July 2020
As with the outbreaks at other German slaughterhouses, the politicians’ main concern is keeping production running so profits continue to pile up.
German defence minister propagates rearmament, militarism and war
By Johannes Stern, 23 July 2020
With the revival of German militarism, the militaristic traditions that are historically linked above all to the Soldateska of the Kaiserreich (Imperial Empire) and the Wehrmacht (armed forces of Nazi Germany) are inevitably returning.
EU Summit agrees to €750 billion fund for the banks and corporations
By Will Morrow, 22 July 2020
The agreement will provide a new revenue stream for European states to give handouts to corporations, and a new mechanism for austerity across the continent.
Germany: The “riots” in Frankfurt and the right-wing network in the police
By Peter Schwarz, 22 July 2020
The Frankfurt “riots” are being used by the German government to increase police powers and justify and strengthen radical right-wing structures in the state apparatus.
Workers disproportionately affected by coronavirus pandemic in Germany
By Marianne Arens, 20 July 2020
The disease particularly affects workers who do not have the opportunity to remain at home and maintain social distancing.
Tönnies meat-processing plant in Germany restarted despite ongoing danger from COVID-19
By Marianne Arens, 20 July 2020
At the Tönnies plant in Rheda-Wiedenbrück, and the district of Gütersloh where it is located, 244 people are still registered as sick due to the coronavirus.
New terrorist threats against politicians, artists and journalists
Neo-Nazi network in police covered up at highest levels of German state and politics
By Christoph Vandreier, 18 July 2020
The threats are intended to intimidate the widespread opposition to the right-wing policies of the grand coalition of the Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and Social Democrats (SPD).
German automaker Daimler plans fresh assault on jobs and conditions
By K. Nesan, 18 July 2020
In an interview with the Stuttgarter Zeitung, Daimler personnel manager Wilfried Porth threatened to increase the number of jobs to be shed at the auto company.
Germany: Racist “family tree research” and police state measures in Stuttgart
By Max Linhof and Jan Ritter, 16 July 2020
Stuttgart’s police chief Franz Lutz said “nationwide searches” would be conducted at registry offices, “to determine the migration background (of individual suspects).”
Verfassungsschutz Report 2019: German secret service downplays threat of Nazi terrorism and attacks socialist politics
By Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei, 16 July 2020
The year 2019, on which the report focuses, was characterised by a surge in right-wing terrorism, but hardly a word on this threat is to be found in the Verfassungsschutz report.
German state intelligence agency deletes data of right-wing extremists
By Christoph Vandreier, 15 July 2020
There are close links between Germany’s secret services, its government and the right-wing extremist milieu not only in Saxony, but throughout the country.
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