Notes from the front – of the week 11/2/2015

11th February 2015 Socialist Action 0

 

Greece confrontation moves closer – Syriza hasn’t blinked

The confrontation between the anti-austerity Syriza government in Greece and Germany – which stands behind the decisions of the financial troika of the European Commission, IMF and European Central Bank – is shaping up for a denouement as early as the end of this month. Greece’s current bailout programme is due for renewal on 28 February.

Eight years of progressive politics in Ecuador

30th January 2015 Socialist Action 0

The following article by Matt Willgress was originally published by the Morning Star. It sets out some of Correa’s achievements since he was first elected President, including poverty reduction, low unemployment and an economy growing at four per cent a year – all underpinned by a huge increase in state investment, whose proportion of GDP has trebled in eight years.

Eight years ago President Rafael Correa was elected in Ecuador and, as in many Latin American countries in recent years, there’s been a tremendous shift in the country.

Syriza’s victory: turning hope into reality

26th January 2015 Socialist Action 0

Following Syriza’s victory in the Greek elections far wider forces than socialists are supporting the new Greek government’s calls for renegotiation of Greece’s debt – for example the Jubilee Debt Campaign. Before the election letters to the Financial Times and Guardian by leading economists supported this. The following article analysing the the situation after Syriza’s victory appeared on Socialist Economic Bulletin by socialist economists Michael Burke and John Ross.