Europe
Oxford University won't take funding from tobacco companies. But Shell's OK
If scholars don't take an ethical stance against corporate money, where's the moral check on power? George Monbiot reports.... [read more]
Bulgaria elections: Widespread abuse but hope
I set off to Bulgaria after being selected by the Party of European Socialists to be part of the 100 plus team from all across the European Union to monitor the General Election. David Eade reports.... [read more]
Spaniards Fall Out Of Love With Their Royals
David Eade explains that since the financial crisis started there has been a fall in support for the Royal Household ... [read more]
Urgent calls for a General Election in Bulgaria
On Sunday 12 May Bulgaria will hold its general election. The outcome will not only be closely awaited by the people of that country but by fellow European Union States and organisations such as Transparency International, which has been monitoring corruption in Bulgaria for over a decade, writes David Eade.... [read more]
Voting violations in an EU member state
Voting violations such as ballot rigging, vote buying and control are acts we associate with the shadier, non democratic nations of the world. However such practices are alive and well right here in the EU, writes David Eade.... [read more]
Russian Homeland Threatened by Feminism
Vladimir Putin's government's crack down on Pussy Riot may have helped save the Russian Federation from the 'peril' of creeping feminism, writes Thomas Riggins... [read more]
It Can Happen Here: The Bank Confiscation Scheme for US and UK Depositors
Confiscating the customer deposits in Cyprus banks, it seems, was not a one-off, desperate idea of a few Eurozone “troika” officials scrambling to salvage their balance sheets reveals Ellen Brown... [read more]
From Goulash Socialism to Hunger March
David Eade discusses Hungary’s answer to the Jarrow march... [read more]
Marching with the Neo-Nazis
On Saturday I attended the MSZP socialist party rally in Budapest. It was held at the national stadium dedicated to Ferenc Puskás, writes David Eade... [read more]
The Battle to Save Democracy
Last week I spent several days in Budapest at a conference organised by the Party of European Socialists (PES), David Eade reports... [read more]
Money for the People: Grillo's Populist Plan for Italy
Comedian Beppe Grillo was surprised himself when his Five Star Movement got 8.7 million votes in the Italian general election of February 24-25th... [read more]
Spain is the Most Corrupt Nation in the EU
LPJ Iberian correspondent, David Eade, shows how the Spanish people have lost faith in their politicians and national institutions... [read more]
Good News for the Left in Andalucía; Bad News for Democracy in Spain
The southern most region of Spain, Andalucía, has always been a socialist fiefdom but the centre right Partido Popular (PP) came very close to toppling the socialist PSOE party from power in the 2012 regional elections, writes David Eade... [read more]
Greece's Big Smog: Neoliberal austerity, public health, and the environment*
Neoliberal austerity in crisis-torn Greece has a significant implication for public health and the environment. The disturbing reality is that the unbearable cost of heating oil for a large portion of the country's population has led to an increased use of solid fuel heating, writes Ilia Xypolia.... [read more]
Andalucía High Court backs workers’ champion
If you have an image of a person who is an old school Communist mayor and trade unionist in Andalucía the chances are you would come up with a description of Juan Manuel Sánchez Gordillo, writes David Eade.... [read more]
Ne Les Oublions Jamais
David Eade recounts his experience of Holocaust Memorial Day in Paris... [read more]
A nation divided over same sex marriage
France’s Parliament, the Assemblee Nationale, has started the long debate to enshrine same sex marriages in law. David Eade reports.... [read more]
Brutal executions of Kurdish women activists in Paris - an attempt to derail the peace process that won’t succeed
David Morgan reports on the execution of three leading Kurdish activists in Paris... [read more]
New Year Misery in Spain
On the second day of the new year a 57-year-old family man in Malaga set fire to himself because he has no work, no money and no future says Michael S... [read more]
Lying Around Like Dogs In Ditches
Just two weeks ago in the London Progressive Journal I wrote of the hundreds of Republican supporters seeking refuge at La Sauceda who were rounded up by Franco’s forces and slain at El Marrufo in Andalucía in the Spanish Civil War, today I report on another burial that took place on Sunday, writes David Eade.... [read more]
The development of the European social models
The 19th century in Europe saw the development of philosophical, political and economical theories that challenged and questioned the political structure of the time (Part 1).... [read more]
El Marrufo starts to give up its Spanish Civil War dead
The Spanish Civil War will always hold a special place in the hearts of those on the left of politics. In Spain the memories are still raw, nowhere more so than amongst the thousands of families who lost relatives, assassinated by Franco’s forces... [read more]
The Kurds and Human Rights
David Morgan asks what the Kurdish people have to celebrate as International Human Rights’ Day 2012 approaches... [read more]
Lenin on "Reactionary" Trade Unions: Chapter Six of "Left-Wing" Communism: an Infantile Disorder
In his latest article analysing “Left-Wing” Communism: an Infantile Disorder, Thomas Riggins looks at Lenin's views on what sort of relations a Marxist party should have with the trade union movement... [read more]
The Fat of the Land
The European Union's farm subsidies are a modern equivalent of feudal aid. As Europe suffers under austerity, it's right to call for reform, writes George Monbiot.... [read more]
Mas means less
LPJ Iberian correspondent, David Eade, provides a breakdown of the Catalan elections and discusses the implications the election results have for the issue of Catalan independence... [read more]
Now they do not need evidence, they create secret witnesses
Öcalan’s isolation may be over as the hunger strike ends in Turkish prisons, but the unjust trials of the opponents of the Government continue. Tim Baster and Isabelle Merminod report ... [read more]
“It was so bad you just wanted to laugh”
LPJ French political affairs correspondent, David Eade, comments on the recent leadership election within France’s Conservative opposition party, the UMP... [read more]
Lip Service to Peace: EU as an Enabler of Netanyahu’s Colonial Policies
Europe is different, as we are often reminded. The general wisdom is unlike the US’ unconditional support for Israel. European countries tend to be more balanced in their approach to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, writes Ramzy Baroud.... [read more]
The Scotland Question answered
David Eade explains how allowing Scotland a referendum on independence may have implications for other secessionist movements across Europe.... [read more]
Time for our unions to come to Spain’s aid
David Eade calls for a renewal of international solidarity to help Spain’s embattled workers... [read more]
Turkish PM Erdogan Must Respond to the Demands of the Kurdish Hunger Strikers
Hundreds of Kurdish prisoners are currently taking part in a hunger strike which they have declared will be indefinite, David Morgan reports... [read more]
Growth Comes with Jobs, Innovation and Access to Credit
David Eade talks to Parti Socialiste MP Axelle Lemaire about French President François Hollande budget for 2013... [read more]
Turkey’s Policies at a Crossroads: From Zero-Problems to a Heap of Trouble
It seems that media consensus has been conclusively reached: Turkey has been forced into a Middle Eastern mess not of its own making; the ‘Zero Problems with Neighbours’ notion, once the foreign policy centrepiece of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), is all but a romantic notion of no use in realpolitik, writes Ramzy Baroud.... [read more]
The Spanish State Faces Disintegration
The Spain of today is in a deep financial crisis. Rather than the country pulling together it is pulling apart. LPJ Iberian correspondent, David Eade, discusses the possibility of the Spainish state breaking up into autonomous regions... [read more]
Trials and Tribulations in Turkey
Turkey’s lamentable human rights record and its attempts to intimidate independent Kurdish organisations was the theme of an important seminar held on the 18 September in Garden Court Chambers, London. David Morgan reports.... [read more]
A boost for peaceful direct action in Spain
Jim Handley reports on recent Anarchist action against austerity... [read more]
Arrigoni’s Murder Trial in Gaza: Answers Not Just a Verdict
Justice for Vittorio Utopia Arrigoni has been paramount, but we also expect the Gaza government to hand down more than a verdict, also answers to those trying to kill Vittorio’s dream – along with our humanity, writes Ramzy Baroud.
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Pussy Riot- the voice of the band members
In an exclusive, the LPJ has been provided with statements from each member of the Russian Band ’Pussy Riot’ prior to their sentencing ... [read more]
Spain’s other valley of the fallen
David Eade discusses Spain’s ‘Valley of the Fallen’ where to this day the bones of those who perished under the Nationalist onslaught in the Civil War still lie on the ground... [read more]
Shadow of London “Orbit” in Bosnia: Steel, Blood, and the Suppression of Memory
As ArcelorMittal, the world’s largest steel company, invests 19.2 million pounds of steel to construct a monument marking London’s Olympic Games, a disturbing story is emerging about the refusal to memorialise a former concentration camp in Bosnia it owns today... [read more]
Bosnia and Croatia: What is the tie with Iran?
Professor David Rahni uses etymology to explain how different cultures may have more in common with each other than they think... [read more]
Turkey, the Kurdish Struggle and the New Middle East
Turkey, a NATO member, has historically been a key strategic ally of the West in the Cold War but the political situation inside the country is far from tolerant of opposition, writes David Morgan. ... [read more]
Solidarity with Zarakolu and Ersanli
David Morgan reports on the trial of two public figures in Turkey charged with breaking the country’s dubious anti terror laws... [read more]
Spain's abusive banks
The big economic news has been the massive 100bn euros bailout of Spain’s banks. However the back story has been the numerous protests by Spaniards against measures to support banks which are largely in trouble through their own greed, corruption and mismanagement, writes David Eade.... [read more]
More than just a Game: football as the modern opium of the masses
The spectacle of sport, like the 2012 Euro Cup, is the primary medium through which nations and national identities are imagined, writes Ilia Xypolia.... [read more]
Historic Victory and a Spicy Tale
In the last of a series of articles on the French elections, David Eade looks at the breakdown of the National Assembly elections and the way forward for Francois Hollande and the Parti Socialiste ... [read more]
French Canadian battles to speak for London in Paris
France may have a new President but the electoral contest is far from over, reports David Eade... [read more]
Spain’s fishing armada stopped from ‘raping’ Gibraltar’s waters
LPJ’s Iberian correspondent, David Eade, reports on tensions between Spanish fishermen and the Gibraltarian government following the rescindment of a ‘Joint Understanding’ that allowed Spanish vessels to fish in Gibraltar’s waters... [read more]
Sorry, folks..the wake is over
The change in the Greek political scene is an opportunity for Europe, not a threat, argues Ilia Xypolia.... [read more]
Spain’s May 15 protest movement celebrates its anniversary
As the Spanish 15-M protest movement celebrates its first anniversary, LPJ Iberian correspondent, David Eade, reveals that the movement is spreading from main street to mainstream... [read more]
I am the President of the youth of France
David Eade reports from Paris on the outcome of the French Presidential elections... [read more]
The French Presidential Campaign: As Viewed from the Rue de Solférino
David Eade talks to Pierre Kanuty about Francois Hollande's real chance of victory in the upcoming French election.... [read more]
Advantage Hollande
David Eade on the increase in French left-wing voters and the possibility this might mean victory for Francois Hollande.... [read more]
Easter Rising 1916
John Wight provides the historical background to the Easter Rising of 1916 that paved the way for Irish independence... [read more]
UKs French set to oust Sarkosy
In his latest article on the upcoming French Presidential elections, David Eade looks at the crucial role French voters living in Britain will play in determining the winner... [read more]
Hollande: in bed with the voters
In the first of a series of articles on the forthcoming French Presidential elections, David Eade evaluates Francois Hollande - the Parti Socialiste candidate who may well be the next French President... [read more]
Spain's last election
David Eade contemplates the chances of the Left parties winning the Andalucían Parliamentary Elections on 25th March... [read more]
Has Europe abandoned the Left?
David Eade looks at whether there is any truth in the claim that the people of Europe have turned away from the parties of the Left... [read more]
The Light That Cracks The Darkness
The people of Spain are actively resisting the effects of austerity. As Bryan G Taylor explains, no amount of 'Reforma Laboral' will stave off call for a revolutionary change... [read more]
Can Capitalism Survive?
In the first of a series of articles, by internationaly renowned Greek economist Professor Lefteris Tsoulfidis, focusing on the origins and state of the European economic crisis, Professor Tsoulfidis discusses whether Capitalism has a future... [read more]
Euro zone crisis: A Green alternative
We are watching economic injustice crush a nation before our eyes.
On 20 March, Greece must meet the next tranche of debt repayments,says Alfie Stirling.... [read more]
The Politics of the Psyche
BBC 4’s Saturday night primetime slot is cornering the market in excellent European drama but we don’t need Denmark to point out how impotent we feel. However idealistic were its ancient Roman origins, the UK’s version of representative democracy has become as distorted as a burning pillar of wax, says outRageous!... [read more]
Protest Movement or tourist attraction?
David Eade contrasts the Occupy movement in the UK with the 15-M movement in Spain... [read more]
New beginnings
John Green asks whether we need a mass party to represent the unions and the left and to advance the interests of the entire working class (Part 2)... [read more]
Bankers’ Oligarchy spells the end of democracy
A qualitative change is taking place within the European Union where it is crystal clear that national independence and democracy are being dumped without formal procedure or public announcement, says John Boyd.... [read more]
Ban the Spanish Royal family from business
David Eade looks at allegations of a business scandal involving members of the Spanish royal family... [read more]
The call for a UK amendment on the EU
There is a rising tide of Euroscepticism within mainstream political parties and on the floors of national Parliaments throughout the European Union, says David Lindsay.... [read more]
Poor's show
Ever since the decline of European Socialism in the 1980s and the collapse of the Soviet Union in the ’90s, capitalism has considered itself king of the world and has behaved accordingly, says W Stephen Gilbert.... [read more]
The fourth force in Spanish politics: Voto en Blanco
David Eade reflects on the results of the recent Spanish General election and the rise of the Voto en Blanco
... [read more]
Bankers' Coups D'etat in Southern Europe
Steven Colatrella unveils that the very tenets of democracy in Europe are under threat as finance capital launches the first of its coups d'etat in Greece and Italy.... [read more]
Telling the Players with a Scorecard
How politics is manifested as economics and economics as politics should concern us right now, argues Steven Colatrella.... [read more]
Voters swing behind the PCE on its 90th anniversary
David Eade recounts the history of the Communist Party of Spain and shows that the party still has influence in Spanish politics... [read more]
Occupy Italy: the missing country and the missed opportunity
Patrizia Bertini comments on the slow beginnings of the Occupy Italy movement but notes that in recent days events have been picking up pace... [read more]
The Incontinent of Europe
W Stephen Gilbert analyses recent events in Europe and makes the case for Britain to remain part of the EU... [read more]
Angry, broke and Homeless
As the Spanish general election approaches, David Eade shows how a protest movement, led by the homeless, will be campaigning out on the streets.... [read more]
The Banker who knows his Kapital
John Green translates and reflects on an interview with Edgar Most formerly of Deustche Bank and of the GDR State Bank, where he considers capitalism vs. socialism.... [read more]
French Workers are on the Move
Socialist Appeal's Alan Woods considers the significance of the recent industrial unrest in France.... [read more]
French Workers are on the Move
Socialist Appeal's Alan Woods assesses the significance of the recent industrial unrest in France.... [read more]
Muslims: The modern day Jews?
Ben Missenden reflects on the parallels between the treatment of Jews early in the 20th Century and that of Muslims today.... [read more]
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