Europe Follow

The coverage by the so-called quality press of the referendums on the European constitution in France and the Netherlands has been a complete disgrace.

The no votes in the French and Dutch referendums on the European Constitutional Treaty have sent shockwaves through mainstream parties across the European Union (EU). France’s ruling conservative coalition and the centre left Socialist Party are in turmoil following the result.

A left ‘no’ to Europe The position trade unionists should take on the EU constitution will be a live debate at next week’s annual delegate conference of the PCS civil service workers’ union.

The past fortnight has been a very significant one for the radical left in Europe. The most obvious reason for this is the defeat of the European consitution in France.

An incredible referendum turnaround last Sunday in France saw 55 percent of voters reject the European Union proposal for a European constitution.

Working people in France have delivered a defiant no to privatisation, neo-liberalism and Blairite policies across Europe.

Tous ensemble! (All together!) was the cry that rang out in central Paris last Saturday at the end of a huge rally organised by the French left. The rally was part of the left’s campaign for a no vote in the referendum on the new European Union constitution.

On 15 July 1099 Jerusalem was stormed by soldiers of the First Crusade. For the attackers, who had set out from western Europe three years before, this was the culmination of their efforts — the "liberation" of the Holy City from Muslim "infidels".

This is an edited translation of a reply by the deputy editor of Liberazione, the daily paper of Italy’s Rifondazione Comunista, to Toni Negri, the anti-capitalist writer. Negri said in the French newspaper Libération that French people should vote yes to the European Constitution in the referendum on 29 May.

Respect's breakthrough in the general election wasn’t the only success that the radical left in Europe has enjoyed this year.

Representatives of the left in Europe sent congratulations to George Galloway after his triumph. We reprint the message sent by Fausto Bertinotti of Italy’s Rifondazione Comunista.

Sixty years ago, on 8 May 1945, millions of people celebrated VE (Victory in Europe) Day. There was genuine enthusiasm that the Nazis were gone at last. But in North Africa things looked rather different.