France

France in 1968: myths, realities and unanswered questions

50 years on from the 1968 crisis, John Mullen gives an overview of events in France, the debates historians are having and the lessons today's anticapitalists should take
Project Macron in crisis

From the Benalla affair to the Hulot resignation and plunging poll ratings, there's no end in sight for the troubles of the French President, writes Susan Ram
Aftermath: Art in the wake of World War One - review

Modern art was a way of actively willing war towards an end says Alistair Cartwright in his review of the Aftermath exhibition at the Tate
Marx200: the Paris Commune and the Marx family

The Paris Commune only lasted from 28 March to 28 May 1871 but it inspired Karl Marx and continues to inspire and inform socialists today argues Judy Cox
May ‘68: France on the cusp of revolution

Susan Ram looks back at the tumultuous events of May 1968, where students and workers united against the establishment, and asks what we can take from them today
The first twelve months of Project Macron: a provisional audit

One year on from Macron taking office, Susan Ram analyses what he stands for and what he's achieved
After Windrush: this racist government must go - Counterfire Freesheet May 2018

Windrush, May 68, Palestine, UCU strike, Marx and more - Counterfire freesheet edition 025, May 2018
50 years after 1968: Storms raging in Macron’s France

Neither Macron and the bosses, nor France's working class have made a decisive breakthrough in recent weeks. But the movement is solid and imaginative, writes John Mullen in Paris
Enough is enough: Paris takes to the streets

Paris mobilises one year on from Macron's election, and fifty years on from May '68, reports John Mullen
Republic of Islamophobia - book review

Republic of Islamophobiaeffectively analyses the nature and rise of the vindictive Islamophobia that has come to grip French politics and society, finds Susan Ram
France Insoumise: What is it and where is it going?

As a massive wave of strikes continues in France, what forces might propose a mass political alternative to Macron? John Mullen discusses the party being led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon
Emmanuel Macron: Neoliberalism by the book

Despite a fresh-faced exterior, Emmanuel Macron is offering nothing beyond more of the same political privilege for the wealthy, argues Josh Newman
Is France heading for another May '68?

From student dissent to militant strikes and a radical alternative, the ingredients are there for mass rebellion, writes John Mullen
France also: a cynical attempt to divide anti-racism in the service of the government right

Unite the left and anti-racist movements in a fight back against cynical right-wing disruption, argues Kevin Ovenden
France, March 22nd: the mobilisation of the public sector begins

Across France, hundreds of thousands of people, spearheaded by combative rail workers, mobilise against Macron’s neoliberal assault on the public sector
Paris and London: A Tale of Two Radical Cities

Chris Bambery on the history of two great capital cities, and the architecture of power.
'Making France great again': Macron to bring back compulsory military service

Macron is at one with Trump in his quest for a return to national ‘greatness’ with his call for compulsory military service argues Susan Ram
The EU has derailed left governments at least three times - don’t let Corbyn be next.

The Labour right is now focusing on the European Union to attack Corbyn - Chris Nineham shows why this is a dangerous moment
Macron: Europe's new Blair

Things have got so bad - with Brexit and the Tories - that the establishment long for the reincarnation of another unblemished Blair argues Brian Heron
Extreme Podiatry: the situation for refugees in Calais and Dunkirk

The Jungle camp may have been demolished a year ago but refugees are still arriving in Calais and Dunkirk and suffering in intolerable conditions reports David Bailey
Crisis in France: the view from the left

As her organisation mobilised a huge anti-government demonstration, deputy Danièle Obono spoke to Chris Nineham about Macron's meltdown, the far right's problems, and the movement
France: a combative start to the anti-Macron fight-back

Half a million ‘layabouts, cynics and extremists’ take to the streets to protest Macron’s assault on the labour laws
Can Macron the Thatcherite be beaten?

The French president is hoping to push through a series of Thatcherite reforms, but the workers are not going to lie down and take it, writes John Mullen
France: All out on September 12!

Workers and political activists prepare to battle Macron’s ‘XXL’ assault on French labour laws, reports Susan Ram
The impending crisis for Macron

With his ratings in freefall, the neoliberal standard-bearer unveils his labour law ‘reforms’ against a swelling tide of anger
Striking while the iron is hot is the only way to win back some of what’s been taken from working people - weekly briefing

As wages continue to fall and workers rights are attacked further, McDonald's and other workers have begun to strike. Lindsey German explains why they are so important.
Macron and Netanyahu: the shadow of Zionism

Macron’s readiness to equate anti-Zionism with antisemitism and endow it with the full force of French state power shows his true colours, argues Susan Ram
Trump and Macron: tangoing in Paris

Macron’s lovefest with Trump rests on a raft of converging policies, writes Susan Ram
First Diane Abbott, now Danièle Obono: the media lynching of black women on the radical Left

Like Diane Abbott, French left-wing politician Danièle Obono feels the sexism and racism of the right-wing establishment, writes Susan Ram
In France, the election boycott intensifies: Macron’s ‘landslide victory’ reveals its feet of clay

The majority of the French electorate did not vote in the second round of France's legislative elections. Susan Ram analyses the implications
The election of the French parliament: a huge shake-up, but polarisation continues

The victory of "the centre" is only temporary, argues John Mullen
Meanwhile in France, voters stayed away: A tale of two elections

Is this really a surge in support for centrist politics?
Armed force on the streets: the French experience

France’s state of emergency has suspended civil liberties while failing to stop the menace of terrorism
Mélenchon's campaign should inspire us here in Britain

Jean-Luc Mélenchon's dynamic presidential campaign is proof that the Left can make serious gains
France: the crisis continues - part 2

The meteoric rise of Jean-Luc Mélenchon is all the more dramatic given the historical context of the French Left, explains Susan Ram
France: the crisis continues - part 1

While seeking to style himself as outside traditional politics, Emmanuel Macron in fact constitutes its newest incarnation, writes Susan Ram
Vote Labour and prepare to fight - Counterfire freesheet May 2017

The general election, French politics and more - Counterfire freesheet edition 018, May 2017
Compare and contrast: what the French elections can tell us about Britain

The rise of Corbyn and Mélenchon have similar roots, but the Labour leader has to contend with problems that the French left does not have
France at the crossroads: how to take down Le Pen

Stathis Kouvelakis, a member of the Greek Popular Unity party and a supporter of La France Insoumise, speaks to Feyzi Ismail on Macron’s victory, the crisis in French society and the possibilities for the left
French election tells of a divided France

Macron beat Le Pen to the presidency, but there is a parliamentary election still to come
Has Macron turned the tide against fascism?

Is a Macron presidency the beginning of the end for fascism and Le Pen? Brian Heron investigates
Macron’s victory, and why the earthquake will continue

Although most people are relieved by the election result, we are going to have to fight the new president’s policies
High school students across France mobilise to reject the pseudo-choice between Macron and Le Pen

Just before the final round of France’s presidential election, lycéens (high school students) are continuing to provide the sharpest and most combative opposition to the two contenders
A political earthquake in France and the fight against Le Pen

With less than a week to go until the second round of the French presidential elections, John Mullen takes a look at where we are now
May Day in Gascony: ‘All for one and one for all’ in the fight against fascism

Hundreds take to the streets on May Day against fascism and Le Pen, Susan Ram reports from south-west France.
Bring it on! - Counterfire freesheet April 2017

General election, Trump and the politics of music - Counterfire freesheet edition 017, April 2017
Anti-capitalists, Melenchon and 7.7 million voters of the left

The emboldened French left must seize the moment, writes Kevin Ovenden
The French presidential elections: fascism and how to fight it

John Mullen on why the Left must move forward on building a broadly-based, permanent, national, mass campaigning organization against fascism
French elections: Le Pen, Macron and the radical left

The first round results for the French presidential election confirm the deep political crisis in the country, which will no doubt deepen at the legislative elections in June
It’s the Left that can beat Le Pen and fascism, not Macron

With the fascist Le Pen winning a place in the the second round of the French election, Cameron Panting takes a look at how the Left should respond
French elections: the banker, the fascist...or the streets?

After the anti-capitalist left's unprecedented achievement in the first round, attention will now focus on Mélenchon’s engagement with the movement, writes Susan Ram
The left surge in France: a breakthrough in the making?

On the eve of the presidential election in France, Feyzi Ismail talks to Danièle Obono, a leading figure in the campaign of left-wing hopeful Jean-Luc Mélenchon
Excitement in the French elections: the meaning of Jean-Luc Mélenchon

The leftwinger's inspiring campaign raises crucial questions about the potential and limits of state action in favour of the working class, writes John Mullen
French elections: enter Jean-Luc Mélenchon

The spin of the two-horse race conceals the anti-capitalist hopeful, notes Susan Ram
Marine Le Pen: the reality of the French fascist threat

Mainstream alarmism cannot distract us from the actual dangers of the Nazi Front National, writes John Mullen
Towards a politics of radical deglobalisation

The soft left’s kowtowing to phony internationalism has to stop now, argues Reuben Bard-Rosenberg
French Elections 2017: Islamophobia, austerity and the left

A thorough analysis by John Mullen of the role of austerity and Islamophobia in the upcoming French elections and what the prospects for a radical left alternative are.
BBC: Providing a platform for fascism

On Remembrance Sunday, Andrew Marr and the BBC decided to air an interview with Marine Le Pen reports Shabbir Lakha
Fire, turmoil, and abandonment in Calais

French authorities and the British Home Office have washed their hands of remaining refugees in Calais, explains Shabbir Lakha
Burkini ban: the Islamophobia that lies beneath the beach secularism

Is France's left doing enough to challenge the new wave of state Islamophobia, asks John Mullen
Burkini ban: taking the anger back to the French state

Friday night’s central London emergency protest shows how Islamophobia must be countered, reports Katherine Connelly
Burkini ban: we must oppose this blatant Islamophobia

As France imposes this draconian ban, Lindsey German states why we must say no - clearly and unequivocally
Class struggle in France: a temporary stalemate

The government has been stunned by the strength of the strikes and protests, but what now for the movement? John Mullen investigates
A History of the Barricade

The barricade is the iconic tactic of historic class struggles, and its history is engagingly explored in Hazan’s history, finds William Booth
France and the fight against neoliberalism - podcast

Danielle Obono speaks about the social movements in France and the current wave of protests and strikes around the country
A beacon of hope in dark times

Shabbir Lakha reports on the Convoy to Calais, which the French police shamefully turned back at the border
Upsurge in France: a revolt against the European economic order

France's working class is taking a sledgehammer to Hollande's neoliberal reforms - an echo of the European economic machine, writes Reuben Bard-Rosenberg
France: savage labour law vs strikes and blockades

Class struggle is back in France, with some surprising new initiatives, reports Paris-based activist John Mullen
France in the streets: against the government and the EU

If you want to understand what the EU is, then look at its intervention today – teargas on the streets of French cities, argues Kevin Ovenden
France: protest is changing the rules

France has been convulsed by massive protests opposing the government's plan to scrap the 35-hour week. We reproduce here a speech by economist Frédéric Lordon at the Paris rally on 31 March
Le Pen's defeat offers only cold comfort

Defeat without having to face a decent opposition may be more useful than success for the continued growth of Le Pen's Front National, argues Alistair Stephens
Marine Le Pen: the demon child of war and austerity

Not since the 1930s has a far right, indeed a fascist party done so well in an election in Western Europe, writes Alastair Stephens
Paris attacks: fight the racist backlash

In the wake of the atrocities in the French capital, building an anti-war movement is more necessary than ever, writes Kevin Ovenden
Who is Charlie?

Emmanuel Todd’s Who is Charlie? reveals connections between Islamophobia and moves to the right in France, finds Lindsey German
Liberté, Égalité, Vélocité

Mark Perryman makes the case for a two-wheeled revolution
A People’s History of the French Revolution

Eric Hazan’s A People’s History of the French Revolution is an attempt to provide a new narrative, but fails to show the importance of the revolution, argues William Alderson
Letter to Le Monde: We say no to the 'Sacred Union'

A call by public figures in France to reject pressures for 'unity' with world leaders guilty of violence and repression
Charlie Hebdo: 5 problems with the Media picture

Everyone agrees the Muslim community must make amends for Charlie Hebdo, right? Well, no, not really. Here’s five facts the media tends to overlook.
Danièle Obono: the French left after the Charlie Hebdo attacks

Danièle Obono, a leading member of the French Left, speaks about the impact of the recent attacks and the dangers of Islamophobia
The Government is blaming Muslims and attacking civil liberties

Opposition to war, Islamophobia and attacks on civil liberties are all connected, says Lindsey German, and we have to campaign against all three
Je suis Cantona

Next Saturday is the 20th anniversary of Eric’s Selhurst Park Kung Fu kick assault on a supporter. Philosophy Football'sMark Perryman celebrates a night when football took sides
15 recommended articles on the aftermath of the Paris attacks

Alex Snowdon compiles a selection of commentary and analysis about the contentious issues arising from the recent attacks in Paris
'Charlie Hebdo, not racist? If you say so…' Former employee lambasts magazine's racist trajectory

Written by Olivier Cyran and originally published in December 2013 as 'Charlie Hebdo, not racist? If you say so…' this article attacks the magazine's 'crude racism'. Translated by Daphne Lawless
Charlie Hebdo murders: what's missing from the media narrative?

If you read the western media reporting on the Paris attack, says Lindsey German, it is as if the wars waged by the western powers in Muslim countries aren't happening
The limits of liberalism

Liberal responses to the Paris killings are fuelling a cycle from which both the right and the terrorists will gain, argues John Rees
Twelve illuminating contributions to debate in wake of Paris killings

Twelve articles to read if you want thoughtful reflection, context and a refreshing alternative to banal or racist responses to the killings in Paris this week
Charlie Hebdo tragedy: putting free speech in context

This wasn’t an attack on humour or the Western concept of freedom but an outrage designed to produce a reaction of division and hatred - an outcome that we should do everything we can to resist
Paris massacre: backlash and blowback

The latest attack will lead to a greater backlash and greater levels of Islamophobia. But it is not Muslims who are the problem but the foreign policies that have helped create terrorism
An Impatient Life: A Memoir

Daniel Bensaïd’s memoir of a life as a socialist in France provides an engaging account of a revolutionary life during the 1960s and after, finds William Booth
A Marxist History of the World part 99: 1968 - the long sleep ends

The long sleep of the post-war period was brought to an end in 1968, as revolts erupted across the developed world, writes Neil Faulkner
Tariq Ramadan: what makes the French left's approach to Islam different?

Tariq Ramadan and John Rees discuss the attitude of the French left to islam

France

France

50 years on from the 1968 crisis, John Mullen gives an overview of events in France, the debates historians are having and the lessons today's anticapitalists should take

From the Benalla affair to the Hulot resignation and plunging poll ratings, there's no end in sight for the troubles of the French President, writes Susan Ram

Modern art was a way of actively willing war towards an end says Alistair Cartwright in his review of the Aftermath exhibition at the Tate

The Paris Commune only lasted from 28 March to 28 May 1871 but it inspired Karl Marx and continues to inspire and inform socialists today argues Judy Cox

Susan Ram looks back at the tumultuous events of May 1968, where students and workers united against the establishment, and asks what we can take from them today

One year on from Macron taking office, Susan Ram analyses what he stands for and what he's achieved

Windrush, May 68, Palestine, UCU strike, Marx and more - Counterfire freesheet edition 025, May 2018

Neither Macron and the bosses, nor France's working class have made a decisive breakthrough in recent weeks. But the movement is solid and imaginative, writes John Mullen in Paris

Paris mobilises one year on from Macron's election, and fifty years on from May '68, reports John Mullen

Republic of Islamophobiaeffectively analyses the nature and rise of the vindictive Islamophobia that has come to grip French politics and society, finds Susan Ram

As a massive wave of strikes continues in France, what forces might propose a mass political alternative to Macron? John Mullen discusses the party being led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon

Despite a fresh-faced exterior, Emmanuel Macron is offering nothing beyond more of the same political privilege for the wealthy, argues Josh Newman

From student dissent to militant strikes and a radical alternative, the ingredients are there for mass rebellion, writes John Mullen

Unite the left and anti-racist movements in a fight back against cynical right-wing disruption, argues Kevin Ovenden

Across France, hundreds of thousands of people, spearheaded by combative rail workers, mobilise against Macron’s neoliberal assault on the public sector

Chris Bambery on the history of two great capital cities, and the architecture of power.

Macron is at one with Trump in his quest for a return to national ‘greatness’ with his call for compulsory military service argues Susan Ram

The Labour right is now focusing on the European Union to attack Corbyn - Chris Nineham shows why this is a dangerous moment

Things have got so bad - with Brexit and the Tories - that the establishment long for the reincarnation of another unblemished Blair argues Brian Heron

The Jungle camp may have been demolished a year ago but refugees are still arriving in Calais and Dunkirk and suffering in intolerable conditions reports David Bailey

As her organisation mobilised a huge anti-government demonstration, deputy Danièle Obono spoke to Chris Nineham about Macron's meltdown, the far right's problems, and the movement

Half a million ‘layabouts, cynics and extremists’ take to the streets to protest Macron’s assault on the labour laws

The French president is hoping to push through a series of Thatcherite reforms, but the workers are not going to lie down and take it, writes John Mullen

Workers and political activists prepare to battle Macron’s ‘XXL’ assault on French labour laws, reports Susan Ram

With his ratings in freefall, the neoliberal standard-bearer unveils his labour law ‘reforms’ against a swelling tide of anger

As wages continue to fall and workers rights are attacked further, McDonald's and other workers have begun to strike. Lindsey German explains why they are so important.

Macron’s readiness to equate anti-Zionism with antisemitism and endow it with the full force of French state power shows his true colours, argues Susan Ram

Macron’s lovefest with Trump rests on a raft of converging policies, writes Susan Ram

Like Diane Abbott, French left-wing politician Danièle Obono feels the sexism and racism of the right-wing establishment, writes Susan Ram

The majority of the French electorate did not vote in the second round of France's legislative elections. Susan Ram analyses the implications

The victory of "the centre" is only temporary, argues John Mullen

Is this really a surge in support for centrist politics?

France’s state of emergency has suspended civil liberties while failing to stop the menace of terrorism

Jean-Luc Mélenchon's dynamic presidential campaign is proof that the Left can make serious gains

The meteoric rise of Jean-Luc Mélenchon is all the more dramatic given the historical context of the French Left, explains Susan Ram

While seeking to style himself as outside traditional politics, Emmanuel Macron in fact constitutes its newest incarnation, writes Susan Ram

The general election, French politics and more - Counterfire freesheet edition 018, May 2017

The rise of Corbyn and Mélenchon have similar roots, but the Labour leader has to contend with problems that the French left does not have

Stathis Kouvelakis, a member of the Greek Popular Unity party and a supporter of La France Insoumise, speaks to Feyzi Ismail on Macron’s victory, the crisis in French society and the possibilities for the left

Macron beat Le Pen to the presidency, but there is a parliamentary election still to come

Is a Macron presidency the beginning of the end for fascism and Le Pen? Brian Heron investigates

Although most people are relieved by the election result, we are going to have to fight the new president’s policies

Just before the final round of France’s presidential election, lycéens (high school students) are continuing to provide the sharpest and most combative opposition to the two contenders

With less than a week to go until the second round of the French presidential elections, John Mullen takes a look at where we are now

Hundreds take to the streets on May Day against fascism and Le Pen, Susan Ram reports from south-west France.

General election, Trump and the politics of music - Counterfire freesheet edition 017, April 2017

The emboldened French left must seize the moment, writes Kevin Ovenden

John Mullen on why the Left must move forward on building a broadly-based, permanent, national, mass campaigning organization against fascism

The first round results for the French presidential election confirm the deep political crisis in the country, which will no doubt deepen at the legislative elections in June

With the fascist Le Pen winning a place in the the second round of the French election, Cameron Panting takes a look at how the Left should respond

After the anti-capitalist left's unprecedented achievement in the first round, attention will now focus on Mélenchon’s engagement with the movement, writes Susan Ram

On the eve of the presidential election in France, Feyzi Ismail talks to Danièle Obono, a leading figure in the campaign of left-wing hopeful Jean-Luc Mélenchon

The leftwinger's inspiring campaign raises crucial questions about the potential and limits of state action in favour of the working class, writes John Mullen

The spin of the two-horse race conceals the anti-capitalist hopeful, notes Susan Ram

Mainstream alarmism cannot distract us from the actual dangers of the Nazi Front National, writes John Mullen

The soft left’s kowtowing to phony internationalism has to stop now, argues Reuben Bard-Rosenberg

A thorough analysis by John Mullen of the role of austerity and Islamophobia in the upcoming French elections and what the prospects for a radical left alternative are.

On Remembrance Sunday, Andrew Marr and the BBC decided to air an interview with Marine Le Pen reports Shabbir Lakha

French authorities and the British Home Office have washed their hands of remaining refugees in Calais, explains Shabbir Lakha

Is France's left doing enough to challenge the new wave of state Islamophobia, asks John Mullen

Friday night’s central London emergency protest shows how Islamophobia must be countered, reports Katherine Connelly

As France imposes this draconian ban, Lindsey German states why we must say no - clearly and unequivocally

The government has been stunned by the strength of the strikes and protests, but what now for the movement? John Mullen investigates

The barricade is the iconic tactic of historic class struggles, and its history is engagingly explored in Hazan’s history, finds William Booth

Danielle Obono speaks about the social movements in France and the current wave of protests and strikes around the country

Shabbir Lakha reports on the Convoy to Calais, which the French police shamefully turned back at the border

France's working class is taking a sledgehammer to Hollande's neoliberal reforms - an echo of the European economic machine, writes Reuben Bard-Rosenberg

Class struggle is back in France, with some surprising new initiatives, reports Paris-based activist John Mullen

If you want to understand what the EU is, then look at its intervention today – teargas on the streets of French cities, argues Kevin Ovenden

France has been convulsed by massive protests opposing the government's plan to scrap the 35-hour week. We reproduce here a speech by economist Frédéric Lordon at the Paris rally on 31 March

Defeat without having to face a decent opposition may be more useful than success for the continued growth of Le Pen's Front National, argues Alistair Stephens

Not since the 1930s has a far right, indeed a fascist party done so well in an election in Western Europe, writes Alastair Stephens

In the wake of the atrocities in the French capital, building an anti-war movement is more necessary than ever, writes Kevin Ovenden

Emmanuel Todd’s Who is Charlie? reveals connections between Islamophobia and moves to the right in France, finds Lindsey German