Revolting Europe
Troika
The two scenarios now facing Greece
By Sergio Cesaratto The victory of ‘no’ opens two scenarios. The most likely is the further effort by the Syriza-led government to reach a new agreement with the Troika, but it is not clear why it should be given something that had not been given before. The financial upheaval of recent days may be such as … Continue reading
Greece, Europe and sovereignty
What image will remain in the European Union in the wake of the Greek crisis? Indeed, whatever the outcome of this crisis, whether it results in a Greek default and a possible exit from the euro zone, or a capitulation of the Greek government, the consequences of this crisis on the EU and its image … Continue reading
Can we hold the Troika to account for human rights violations?
Not only have the Troika’s austerity policies been an abject failure but in inflicting suffering on millions of people, the three headed beast of the EU-ECB-IMF has severely violated human rights that are recognized by the EU itself. But can the charges stick, asks Luciano Galliano “The governance of the crises in the European Union has led to massive violations … Continue reading
Has Greece’s outspoken FM Varoufakis been sidelined?
By Dimitri Deliolanes Greece’s prime minister Alexis Tsipras has moved to unblock the negotiations. It may be the last move in the direction of an “honourable compromise”. If the creditors do not seize the opportunity, then Athens will be forced by the facts to carefully consider the possibility of making dramatic choices. A position repeated … Continue reading
The significance of Tsipras’ visit to Moscow
By Jacques Sapir Alexis Tsipras, the new Prime Minister of Greece will be in Moscow April 8. The following day, Greece must make a payment to the International Monetary Fund. The statements by Greece’s Minister of Finance does are unambiguous: Greece will honour its debts. [1] But on April 14, the Greek government must simultaneously … Continue reading
The Troika is dead! Long live the Troika
Portuguese radicals have accused the EU Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker of “hypocrisy” and seeking to “continue to the policies of the Troika without the Troika.” The leader of the European Commission said Wednesday that the “troika is undemocratic, it lacks legitimacy” and and it was time to learn “the lessons of history and not repeat the same … Continue reading
Greece’s new government, Tsipras and the issue of sovereignty
Why did Syriza choose the Independent Greeks as coalition partner? And how will the other Eurozone countries react to the new Government in Athens? Jacques Sapir explains Syriza has won and secured 149 seats in the Greek parliament. Alexis Tsipras, its charismatic leader, is the big winner of the elections this Sunday, January 25th. Many people … Continue reading
“Co-operation” with Greece – German style
About 6,000 doctors from Greece have emigrated to Germany until the end of 2012 at a time of rising shortages of medical and other health staff. What’s more, the Greek government invested 540 million euros in their training. This is only one of the effects of German-Greek “cooperation” Doctors and scientists at zero training costs … Continue reading
The European Commission, the autopilot for neo-liberal policies
By Bernard Cassen The first concern of any institution is to perpetuate its existence and expand its areas of intervention. In the latter case, such an ambition usually encounters forces and structures that do not intend to be deprived of all or part of their territory and their prerogatives. When these forces and structures do … Continue reading
Still on air: how 20 Greek TV workers are keeping the flag flying for independent public broadcasting
French journalists Erwan Manac’h and Marie Chambrial find a group of colleagues in Greece weary but in determined spirits and experimenting with a new type of broadcasting, as they continue on air 24/7 despite the forced closure of the ERT state TV a year ago. They were thought to be history when the government axed the signal in … Continue reading
The great private pensions fraud
Fresh from implementing reforms of its pension system Mariano Rajoy’s Spain is now preaching the merits of its pro-market policies to the rest of Europe, backed by the Troika. But state pension cuts and the virtues of private insurance-based schemes are built on myths that serve financial capital, argues Vicenç Navarro There’s been a constant onslaught by banks and … Continue reading
Portugal and the Troika three years on
By Catarina Oliveira Three years ago the Portuguese Government called in the Troika. “Save wages and pensions,” was the pretext but that did not happen. Today the dramatic social consequences of the entry of the Troika in Portugal are easy to analyse. A look at the figures shows the spiral of impoverishment in which the country is … Continue reading
Inside the Greek laboratory
IN THE RADICAL PRESS / MEMOIRE DES LUTTES A new book publishing the views of Greek scholars and professionals on the impact of Troika policies has helped Bernard Cassen understand better the criminal nature of market fundamentalism pursued by Brussels, Frankfurt and Berlin You have to be very naive to believe that the fury of the “troika” against Greece … Continue reading
Why the May elections to the EU parliament will be a little more European
IN THE RADICAL PRESS / MEMOIRE DES LUTTES By Bernard Cassen Since 1979, members of the European Parliament have been elected by direct universal suffrage. However, so far , the campaigns preceding the elections had focused little on European issues, if not vaguely or with mantras such as ” social Europe tomorrow .” In reality, … Continue reading
What success? Portugal’s sovereign debt auction just a good deal for the banks
Portugal’s government bond sale this week – the first since January 2013 – was heralded in the national and international press as a storming success, and coming after a similar ‘success’ for Spain’s first big debt auction of 2014 and a ‘popular’ bond sale by Ireland, apparently indicated a sign of a turnaround in the … Continue reading
THE EURO
The Dossier
FRANCE
GERMANY
GREECE
ITALY
PORTUGAL
SPAIN
