Eastern Europe
Czech Republic: Trade unions call off transport workers strike
By Markus Salzmann, 12 March 2010
The calling off of a strike by transport workers in the Czech Republic came precisely at the time of the general strike in Greece and when strikes and protests were being held in many other European cities.
Russian President Medvedev signs strategic, business deals in France
By Kumaran Ira, 10 March 2010
France and Russia signed energy, military, and industrial deals as France tried to rally Russian support against Iran and develop its influence in eastern Europe.
The Ukrainian election and the demise of the “Orange Revolution”
By Niall Green, 3 March 2010
The crushing defeat of Viktor Yushchenko in Ukraine’s presidential poll in January and the election of Viktor Yanukovich in the second round vote held February 7 mark the ignominious end of the 2004 “Orange Revolution.”
Rising unemployment fuels social tensions in Russia
By Andrea Peters, 20 February 2010
A sharp rise in unemployment in Russia, which now stands at 9.2 percent, is leading to growing social discontent.
Political turmoil continues in Ukraine after presidential election
By Andrea Peters, 13 February 2010
Ukraine remains embroiled in political conflict after last weekend’s run-off election that gave the presidency to Viktor Yanukovich, who defeated rival Yulia Timoshenko by a margin of just over 3 percent.
Russian economic crisis fuels political tensions
By Andrea Peters, 8 February 2010
The Russian economy declined dramatically over the course of 2009, according to recently released data from the federal statistics service.
First “bad bank” set up for Eastern Europe
By Markus Salzmann and Wolfgang Weber, 30 January 2010
A so-called “bad bank” for heavily indebted East European countries had been established in the Austrian capital of Vienna.
Romania: Education system on the verge of collapse
By Diana Toma, 25 January 2010
The introduction of free-market relations into the states of the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe 20 years ago has led to an unparalleled social and cultural decline.
Ukraine election marks declining US influence in region
By Niall Green, 21 January 2010
The humiliating defeat of incumbent Viktor Yushchenko in Sunday’s Ukrainian presidential election represents a serious blow to the strategic interests of the United States.
Egor Gaidar (1956-2009): Architect of capitalist restoration in Russia
By Vladimir Volkov and Andrea Peters, 18 January 2010
One month ago, Egor Gaidar, a leading figure in the restoration of capitalism in Russia, died of a heart attack. The policies he implemented had a disastrous impact on the country and resulted in an immense growth in social inequality.
Widespread disaffection in lead-up to Ukrainian presidential elections
By Niall Green, 16 January 2010
Five years after the “Orange Revolution,” and with the country mired in economic crisis, the same oligarchic politicians vie for power in an election that has generated little enthusiasm among the Ukrainian people.
New Romanian government prepares massive social attacks
By Diana Toma and Markus Salzmann, 13 January 2010
Romania’s newly elected government, led by the right-wing Democratic Liberal Party, has made clear that it intends to fulfill the demands laid down by the International Monetary Fund, European Union and national big business interests.
Russia announces expansion of nuclear capabilities, sanctions pre-emptive nuclear strikes
By Andrea Peters, 7 January 2010
In late December, Russian President Dmitri Medvedev announced that his government intended to develop a new generation of nuclear weapons.
Five years since Ukraine’s “Orange Revolution”
By Niall Green, 28 December 2009
Five years after gaining office in the “Orange Revolution,” Viktor Yushchenko faces defeat in an election in which the same oligarchic forces vie for power as in 2004. Meanwhile ordinary Ukrainians endure the ravages of the global economic crisis.
Romania: Twenty years after the overthrow of Ceausescu
By Diana Toma and Markus Salzmann, 24 December 2009
In Romania, the character of the transformation that occurred in Eastern Europe 20 years ago was more transparent than elsewhere. The Stalinist elite exploited the protests by the population to secure its power and privileges on a capitalist basis.
Great power rivalries inflame Nagorno-Karabakh dispute
By Niall Green, 23 December 2009
The scramble for control of access to the oil and gas riches of Central Asia threatens to reanimate the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.
China opens a major gas pipeline from Central Asia
By John Chan, 21 December 2009
The opening of a gas pipeline linking Turkmenistan to western China is another sign of rivalry among the major powers for domination of energy-rich Central Asia.
Violence escalates in Russia’s North Caucasus republics
By Niall Green, 15 December 2009
Russia’s North Caucasus republics continue to experience ongoing insurgent attacks and abuses by government forces, as the region remains mired in instability and corruption.
Election result intensifies Romania’s domestic crisis
By Markus Salzmann, 12 December 2009
The very narrow victory for the current office holder, Traian Basescu, in the second round of the presidential elections in Romania will only deepen the country’s two-month-long government crisis.
At least 118 killed in Russian nightclub fire
By Andrea Peters, 9 December 2009
A fire at a nightclub in Perm, Russia on Saturday night has taken the lives of 118 people so far, with over a hundred more still hospitalized and dozens among them listed in critical condition.
Russia proposes new organization of European states
By Niall Green, 9 December 2009
Reflecting tensions and antagonisms building up in Europe, Russian President Dmitri Medvedev is calling for a new European treaty to replace the existing structures of NATO and the OSCE.
Germany: The dispute over Erika Steinbach
By Justus Leicht, 9 December 2009
The controversy surrounding the expulsion of Germans from Eastern Europe at the end of the Second World War has re-emerged in the dispute over the figure of Erika Steinbach.
Abstention and fraud mark first round of Romanian elections
By Diana Toma and Markus Salzmann, 28 November 2009
The presidential elections which took place last Sunday in Romania reveal that 20 years after the fall of the despised Stalinist Ceauşescu regime the country is far removed from any sort of stability or genuine democracy.
Deepening economic crisis in eastern Europe
By Markus Salzmann, 27 November 2009
Recent reports indicate that the economies of many central and eastern European states are headed for new shocks.
Russia: Economic crisis fuels differences within Kremlin
By Andrea Peters, 25 November 2009
The impact of the global financial crisis on the Russian economy is fueling conflicts within the country’s ruling elite over the administration of state resources.
Deepening economic crisis in Eastern Europe
By Markus Salzmann, 24 November 2009
Recent reports indicate that the economies of many central and eastern European states are headed for new shocks.
Romania: Presidential elections at a time of crisis
By Diana Toma and Markus Salzmann, 19 November 2009
The ongoing political crisis in Romania has reached a new high point just days before the presidential elections scheduled for November 22. What is taking place is a bitter struggle between rival cliques within the ruling elite over power, influence and money.
Ukrainian economy suffers sharp fall in 2009
By Niall Green, 29 October 2009
Five years after the “Orange Revolution,” the Ukrainian economy is in the deepest crisis since the post-Soviet economic and social implosion of the 1990s.
Romania: Boc government resigns after no-confidence vote
By Marcus Salzmann, 27 October 2009
Five weeks prior to scheduled presidential elections, the Romanian government led by the Democratic Liberal Party prime minister, Emil Boc, has collapsed following a vote of no-confidence in parliament.
Russia: Workers at AvtoVaz protest against mass layoffs
By Vladimir Volkov, 24 October 2009
Following a wave of labor actions across Russia in the summer and early fall, workers at auto giant AvtoVaz are protesting mass layoffs.
Romania: General strike intensifies political crisis
By Markus Salzman, 12 October 2009
The Romanian government has collapsed as strikes and protests expand.
Bosnia faces collapse
By Paul Mitchell, 8 October 2009
A number of reports have pointed to the increasing threat of Bosnia and Herzegovina collapsing, and even about the possibility of war breaking out.
EU report states Georgia started 2008 war with Russia
Georgian attack unjustifiable under international law
By Niall Green, 2 October 2009
Following a 10-month investigation, a European Union report has found Georgia the aggressor in its 2008 war with Russia, directly refuting claims made not only by the Georgia government, but also by its backers in Washington and the US media.
Mass sackings in Russia
AvtoVAZ to lay off 28,000, Aeroflot 2,200
By Niall Green, 1 October 2009
Russia’s largest car maker will axe more than one quarter of its total workforce, destroying 27,600 jobs. In a double blow, Aeroflot airline announced that it plans to cut 2,215 staff.
Economic crisis, geopolitical rivalries overshadow Ukrainian election campaign
By Niall Green, 23 September 2009
As in the disputed presidential election of November 2004, bitter disputes between rival sections of the ruling elite—and the interests of foreign powers—are dominating the campaign for Ukraine’s presidential election to be held in January.
US suspends eastern European missile shield plan
By Niall Green, 18 September 2009
President Obama announced the suspension of plans to develop two bases in Poland and the Czech Republic as part of a missile defense shield. The move is seen as a political gesture to secure Russian support in Afghanistan and Iran.
Poland: Government escalates privatisation drive
By Peter Kloze, 18 September 2009
Confronted by a ballooning budget deficit, the Polish government has decided to intensify its drive to privatise key sectors of state-owned industry.
Venezuela, Russia in $2.2 billion arms deal
By Bill Van Auken, 15 September 2009
Sunday’s announcement by President Hugo Chávez that Venezuela has reached a $2.2 billion deal to purchase Russian tanks and missiles is symptomatic of the growing international tensions in Latin America.
The failure of Russia’s free-market pension reform
By Vladimir Volkov, 17 August 2009
The dismal failure of Putin’s pension reform is having a profound impact on the social consciousness of the Russian working class.
Lithuania leads Baltic economic slump
By Jordan Shilton, 11 August 2009
Economies in the Baltic region are set to suffer steep declines in output this year. On July 28, Lithuania released economic figures for the second quarter of 2009, revealing a year-on-year contraction of 22.4 percent of GDP.
Republic of Moldova: Pro European Union forces win parliamentary election
By Markus Salzman, 8 August 2009
In the Republic of Moldova, opposition parties oriented to the West won with a slender majority in the country's second parliamentary election within four months.
Great power rivalries and the Nabucco pipeline project
By Niall Green, 1 August 2009
The Nabucco natural gas pipeline will traverse Turkey to supply Western Europe, bypassing Russia.
Violence increases in Russia’s Caucasus republics
By Niall Green, 31 July 2009
A recent spike in violence between Russian security forces and local militants indicates that Moscow has no plans to loosen its military grip in the North Caucasus.
Hungary: Socialist Party establishes right-wing militias
By Markus Salzmann, 14 July 2009
The Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP) is introducing so-called “village guards” throughout the countryside. These will be armed and will carry out the functions of the police.
Right-wing opposition wins Bulgarian parliamentary election
By Markus Salzmann, 13 July 2009
The right-wing “Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria” won the parliamentary elections held in Bulgaria last Sunday, with the governing coalition led by the Bulgarian Socialist Party suffering a heavy defeat.
Limited concessions and unresolved tensions after US-Russia summit
By Niall Green, 8 July 2009
The US-Russia summit marked an attempt to improve relations between the two countries, but did not resolve any of the fundamental differences between them.
Hungary: What accounts for the success of the extreme right?
By Markus Salzmann, 17 June 2009
The election result for the neo-fascist Jobbik organization in Hungary demonstrates how extreme right organizations have been able to exploit the economic and political crisis in Eastern Europe.
Twenty years after the collapse of Stalinism
European politicians stand reality on its head at Vienna gathering
By Markus Salzmann, 5 June 2009
Just days before the European elections June 7, representatives from politics and business met in Vienna to celebrate 20 years since the fall of the Stalinist regimes in Eastern Europe.
Poland: Last shipyards in Gdansk threatened with closure
By Marius Heuser, 29 May 2009
Ceremonies currently taking place marking the 20th anniversary of the collapse of the Stalinist regime in Poland have been overshadowed by shipyard workers protests in Gdansk.
Besancenot in Poland
Polish PPP congress marks lurch to the right by the new European left
By Marius Heuser and Tadeusz Sikorski, 22 May 2009
In a speech given in Katowice, Poland, the head of the NPA (New Anti-capitalist Party) justified his alliance with a group that has no connection with socialism and which includes openly right-wing forces.
Biden in the Balkans: US asserts interests in shattered region
By Paul Mitchell, 21 May 2009
The US administration is moving to reassert its authority in the Balkans as a divided European Union fails to push through the measures that were agreed in the Dayton Accord for this key strategic region.
Five years after entry to the EU: Eastern European countries in crisis
By Markus Salzmann, 9 May 2009
Five years after their acceptance into the European Union amid a fanfare of expectations and celebration, 10 central and Eastern European countries are amongst the worst hit victims of the international finance crisis.
Europe faces ever deepening recession
By Chris Marsden, 28 April 2009
The IMF has predicted a deepening recession in Europe, with the euro zone’s economy contracting by 4.2 percent this year, significantly worse than its January forecast of a 2 percent decline.
Hungary: Change of government head augurs massive social attacks
By Markus Salzmann, 24 April 2009
Former “Young Manager of the Year” takes over as new head of Hungarian government in a coup organized by the outgoing prime minister.
Poland: 21 die in homeless shelter fire
By Stefan Steinberg, 17 April 2009
A fire at a homeless shelter in Poland last Sunday night killed 21 people and left many other residents badly injured. The three-storey building in Kamien Pomorski, housing 77 homeless people, including women and children, was turned into a charred skeleton.
Georgia: Mass protests highlight political crisis in the Caucasus
By Markus Salzmann, 15 April 2009
The justified anger of broad layers of the Georgian population against its right-wing, corrupt government only finds a very distorted expression in the current protests being led by an opposition alliance recruited in the main from former Saakashvili supporters.
Moldova: Violent protests in aftermath of elections
By Markus Salzmann, 13 April 2009
Bloody street fighting in the wake of parliamentary elections in Moldova has focused international attention on the former Soviet republic.
Kosovo: Evidence of KLA torture and murders revealed by BBC
By Paul Mitchell, 11 April 2009
More revelations have emerged about tortures and murders carried out by the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) during the NATO bombing of the former Yugoslavia in 1999 and the occupation that followed.
Obama pursues US strategic interests in Turkey
By Bill Van Auken, 7 April 2009
In his two-day visit to Turkey, President Obama sought to distance himself from the disastrous foreign policy legacy of George W. Bush while pursuing the same strategic interests of US imperialism that motivated the wars launched by his predecessor.
Turkey: Municipal elections reveal deep socio-political divisions
By Sinan Ikinci, 1 April 2009
Losses for the ruling AKP reflect a growing political polarisation in Turkey. The results represent the first electoral setback for the AKP since 2002.
World economic crisis provokes fall of Hungary’s government
By Markus Salzmann, 31 March 2009
The resignation of the Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany is a result of the rapidly deteriorating economic situation that has led to political turbulence throughout Eastern Europe.
After the slaughter: political lessons of the Balkan War
By David North, 30 March 2009
March 24 marked the 10th anniversary of the beginning of the 11-week US-NATO bombardment of Serbia and Kosovo. This statement by David North, chairman of the international editorial board of the World Socialist Web Site and national chairman of the Socialist Equality Party, was originally published on June 14, 1999.
Czech government ousted as economy flounders
By Stefan Steinberg, 27 March 2009
The Czech government led by Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek narrowly lost a vote of confidence in parliament March 24 and the government coalition will be forced to step down.
Polish economy tumbles as global investors take flight
By Marius Heuser, 4 March 2009
Twenty years after the restoration of capitalism, the Polish economy is facing economic collapse as foreign capital flows out of the country.
Russian government moves to save big business, suppress opposition
By Vladimir Volkov, 4 March 2009
The Kremlin’s initial declarations about Russia’s supposed immunity from the global economic crisis have been replaced with statements of fear about economic destabilization and social unrest.
Brussels: Divisions dominate EU summit in face of deepening crisis
By Stefan Steinberg, 3 March 2009
At the Brussels summit, EU nations were unable to agree on any concrete measures to combat the mounting economic crisis.
Latvian government resigns as crisis deepens in Eastern Europe
By Markus Salzmann, 25 February 2009
Latvia’s centre-right government resigned last Friday, against the background of a worsening economic crisis.
Romanian government agrees to drastic austerity package
By Markus Salzmann, 14 February 2009
Romania’s grand coalition government is determined to shift the burden of the economic crisis onto the backs of the country’s working people through harsh austerity measures.
The Russia-Ukraine gas conflict and the geopolitical struggle for control of energy resources
By Vladimir Volkov, 3 February 2009
The natural gas dispute sharpened Ukraine’s political and economic tensions, provoked a wave of anger in Europe and reinforced European desires to diversify its sources of gas.
The crisis in Eastern Europe and the lessons of 1989
26 January 2009
Twenty years after capitalist restoration, east European economies confront catastrophe.
Economic crisis unleashes violent protests across Eastern Europe
By Markus Salzmann, 26 January 2009
The international economic crisis has hit Eastern Europe with full force and brought long-simmering social and political tensions to the surface.
Ukraine and Russia reach gas agreement
By Niall Green, 26 January 2009
A deal has been reached to end the gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine. Millions across Europe have been left with little or no gas for heating in the middle of winter.
Lawyer and human rights activist Stanislav Markelov murdered in Moscow
By Vladimir Volkov, 23 January 2009
On January 19, Stanislav Markelov was shot in the head and killed in central Moscow. The 34-year-old lawyer and human rights activist was president of the Institute for the Supremacy of Law.
Belarus receives $2.5 billion IMF loan
By Niall Green, 22 January 2009
Belarus has secured a $2.5 billion emergency loan from the International Monetary Fund. The bailout comes amidst a crisis of the economies of the whole eastern European region.
Russian gas supplies through Ukraine resume
Dispute exposes crisis of European energy strategy
By Niall Green, 13 January 2009
Russia, Ukraine and officials from the European Union have agreed to a deal to resume natural gas supplies to Europe after Russian state-owned gas company Gazprom turned off gas supplies for Ukraine on January 1.
With sub-zero temperatures across Europe
Russia-Ukraine gas dispute leaves thousands without heat
By Niall Green, 10 January 2009
With sub-zero temperatures across Europe Russia-Ukraine gas dispute leaves thousands without heat By Niall Green 10 January 2009
With sub-zero temperatures across Europe
Russia-Ukraine gas dispute leaves thousands without heat
By Niall Green, 9 January 2009
Natural gas supplies from Russia to Europe via Ukraine have been halted or greatly reduced in the latest stage of a dispute between the ex-Soviet neighbours over prices and allegations of unpaid bills.
Ukraine-Russia gas dispute disrupts European supply
By Niall Green, 8 January 2009
Gas exports from Russia to Europe via Ukraine have come to a complete halt, according to Naftogaz.
Latvia bailed out by IMF and European Union
By Niall Green, 7 January 2009
On December 23 the International Monetary Fund approved a €1.68 billion (US$2.35 billion) rescue loan for the ex-Soviet republic of Latvia, as part of a €7.5 billion (US$10.5 billion) bailout.
Russia cuts off Ukrainian gas supply
Energy conflict threatens EU shortages
By Niall Green, 3 January 2009
The Russian state-owned energy company Gazprom turned off all gas supplies to Ukraine, threatening supplies to the European Union.
Kosovo’s dirty secret: the background to Germany’s Secret Service affair
By Peter Schwarz, 1 December 2008
The arrest of three German secret service agents in Kosovo exposes the sort of society that has been developed with German and American support in this former part of Yugoslavia—one mired in corruption, organised crime and secret service plots.
World financial crisis bankrupts Eastern Europe: The toll of capitalist restoration
10 November 2008
Massive state bailouts throughout Eastern Europe are rendering a historical verdict on the project of capitalist restoration.
BBC describes evidence of Georgian war crimes in South Ossetia
By Simon Whelan, 10 November 2008
Journalists working for the BBC have unearthed evidence of Georgian war crimes against South Ossetian civilians.
A damning admission on the Georgian war
8 November 2008
The New York Times on Friday carried a front-page article citing a report by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, whose monitors were in Georgia when the fighting broke out, which demolishes the official US account of the August 2008 Russian-Georgian war, according to which the war was an act of Russian aggression.
Workers Struggles: Europe & Africa
7 November 2008
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Czech government in crisis following election debacles
By Markus Salzmann, 4 November 2008
Prior to taking over the presidency of the European Union, the Czech government has suffered a series of election defeats and is in deep crisis.
Huge IMF bailout for emerging economies
By Peter Symonds, 1 November 2008
The International Monetary Fund (IMF), backed by central banks in the US and Europe, has taken drastic steps over the past week to prop up so-called emerging economies around the world from Asia to Eastern Europe and Latin America.
Eastern European economies face bankruptcy
By Niall Green, 23 October 2008
The economies of central and eastern Europe are being rocked by the crisis of world capitalism, compounded by the corrupt and pro-big business policies of their local elites.
Ukraine: US-Russia conflict provokes government collapse
Cheney’s visit
By Niall Green, 10 September 2008
The coalition government of Ukraine, made up of the party of Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and the smaller Our Ukraine party of President Viktor Yushchenko, collapsed in bitter acrimony on Wednesday, September 3.
Former Yugoslav war crimes tribunal spokeswoman indicted for contempt
By Paul Mitchell, 5 September 2008
The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) has indicted Florence Hartmann, the spokeswoman of the tribunal’s former Chief Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte from 1999 to 2006, on two charges of contempt of court.
Cheney in Georgia: Gunboat diplomacy in pursuit of oil
By Tom Eley, 5 September 2008
The US is continuing to ratchet up tensions with Russia in the aftermath of last month’s war in the Caucasus.
International tributes for Russian Marxist historian
Vadim Rogovin buried in Moscow
By our correspondent, 6 October 1998
More than three dozen people gathered at the Moscow Crematorium September 21 to mourn the passing of Vadim Zakharovich Rogovin, Russian Marxist historian and sociologist and author of a six-volume study of the Trotskyist opposition to the rise of the Stalinist regime within the Soviet Union. Rogovin died of cancer on September 18. He was 61 years old.
Vadim Rogovin: 1937-1998
Russian Marxist Historian Dies in Moscow
By David North, 18 September 1998
Vadim Zakharovich Rogovin, the Russian Marxist historian and sociologist, and author of a monumental six-volume study of the Trotskyist opposition to the rise of the Stalinist regime within the USSR, died of cancer early Friday morning in Moscow. He was 61 years old.
International market turmoil: A sea-change in world economy
By Nick Beams, 28 August 1998
World markets went into a tailspin on Thursday, as panic spread over the global implications of the Russian meltdown and the deepening crisis in Asia.
Russian crisis shakes global markets
By Nick Beames, 25 August 1998
The announcement by the Russian government that it was devaluing the rouble, suspending trading in the short-term Treasury bill market and imposing a 90-day moratorium on international debt repayments resulted with the largest one-day fall on the London stock exchange since October 1987
Rival business, political cliques jockey for power in Moscow
Yeltsin's sacking of cabinet jolts Washington
By Barry Grey, 25 March 1998
Russian President Boris Yeltsin's sudden dismissal of his cabinet last Monday apparently took domestic observers as well as Moscow's Western allies unawares.
Follow the WSWS