Wheels grinding, sparks flying. posted by Richard Seymour

In Greece, riots and general strike in response to neoliberal cuts and police brutality. (Those who have the morning free can show solidarity with the Greek protesters by showing up outside the Greek Embassy at 11a Holland Park today at 10.00am. If anyone can send me a report or pics, I will happily put it up as a guest post.) Strikes and protests in France, a New Anticapitalist Party and a defection from the PS to form a left coalition at the elections. In Canada, the ruling Tories - having benefited from the meltdown of the Liberal party - have to prorogue parliament to avoid losing a vote of confidence after they try to push through unpopular neoliberal measures. But it looks like Stephen Harper might be hoping for the Liberals' incoming leader, Michael Ignatieff (who looks like he has been coronated by a few party insiders) to bail the Tories out with a cross-party alliance. The fragile coalition between the Liberals and the labour-based NDP may be the first casualty of Iggy's ascension. In Italy, after the horrifying rise of the right, the grassroots opposition is getting it together. Students have been out en masse, protesting against the massive cuts Berlusconi plans for the education system. A wave of transport strikes has just begun, and a general strike by the three main trade unions is to take place this Friday. This doesn't necessarily result in gains for the Left, especially as the main left organisation, Ridondazione Comunista, destroyed its reputation by participating in a neoliberal, warmongering government. Nonetheless, it is a chance to regain some lost ground. And in the US, a hopeful start and, if successful, an example to others...

Labels: crisis, economy, neoliberalism, recession