European news in brief
Submitted on
Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union had its vote drop by 8% in provincial elections on 13 May in Germany’s most populous state, Nordrhein-Westfalen.
Spain
Spain pushes “pay for health care”
Submitted on
Spain’s new conservative government is planning to change Spain’s health service so that the sick will have to pay a fee for medical examinations, doctors’ visits and prescriptions.
General strikes in Spain and Portugal
Submitted on
Spain’s two main union confederations, UGT and CCOO, called a one-day general strike on 29 March over issues similar to those sparking the strike wave in Italy.
All change in Italy and Spain?
Submitted on
Italy’s billionaire “playboy” prime minister Silvio Berlusconi is coming under increasing pressure to step aside as his country slips ever-closer towards economic crisis.
Berlusconi’s opinion rating dropped to a record low of 22% after a rally on 6 November.
Italian left party Rifondazione called last week for immediate elections, to act as a referendum on the economic policy forced on the country by the EU and carried out by Berlusconi.
Even Berlusconi’s Northern League coalition partner leader Umberto Bossi called on him to resign before a crucial budget debate as the interest rate on Italy’s borrowing reached 6.74%.
"Spain" by W. H. Auden,
Submitted on
The Spanish Revolution and Civil War broke out 75 years ago.
"The stars are dead. The animals will not look.
We are left alone with our day, and the time is short, and
History to the defeated
May say Alas but cannot help or pardon."
Madrid "real democracy" activists discuss protesting against Catholic Church
Submitted on
By Sacha Ismail
Europe for citizens, not for bankers!
Submitted on
Some say that the recent protests in Spain are similar to the upheavals in the Arab world.
Spanish "real democracy" movement and the unions
Submitted on
The Spanish 15-M movement, called after the starting point on 15 May, is at present passing through a crucial stage.
Spain: "Real democracy needs socialism"
Submitted on
The youth protests — going under the banner of “Real Democracy” — which began during May as a public outcry denouncing political corruption and unemployment have swept across Spain.
Tahrir Square comes to Spain
Submitted on
"This is a protest they will never understand" said one youth, as he, along with around 2,000 other young people, camped out in Puerta del Sol square in Madrid, defying a ban on demonstrations in the days before municipal and regional elections on Sunday 22 May.