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The article focuses on French President Francois Hollande's job destroying austerity policies, which is affecting the economy of France.

The article reports on the coalition crisis in Portugal. It states the collapse of the political deal that President Anibal Cavaco Silva hoped for between coalition parties Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the People's Party and the opposition Socialist. It shows how the cabinet reshuffle led to the crisis within the coalition government. It discusses the failure of President Silva to secure a compromise to deal with the effects of the austerity measures that led to the recession in the 1970s.

The article looks at issues concerning the Die Linke or the German Left. In June 2013, the Left has held its congress. On the issue concerning Europe, a minority of the Left is challenging its support for the euros. In early 2000, several labour reforms implemented by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Germany have resulted to poverty wages. At the 2013 congress of the German Left, tax and other reforms have been proposed which are aimed at redistributing wealth from the rich to

The author discusses the clamor for structural reforms to bolster the economy of France in 2013. According to the author, France is back in recession for the third time in four years and is being urged by economist to submit to the rigours of neoliberal change. The author stresses that two key reasons for the French recession, a collapse in household incomes in 2012 and a collapse in export markets.

The article reports that the Socialist government of France has been accused of breaking another promise after rejecting a campaign for amnesty of workers convicted for offences during strikes and other protest actions.

The article provides an overview of some of the wealthiest individuals in Europe. Portuguese food distribution head Alexandre Soares dos Santos and his family posted a 300 million U.S. dollars growth in their wealth. Irish Tata steel owner Pallonji Mistry increased his net worth to 10.5 billion in 2012 after posting 700 million U.S. dollars gain. Italy's richest is Ferrero Group patriarch Michele Ferrero followed by Luxuttica founder Leonardo Del Vecchio.

The article focuses on Italy's political scene as Italians vote after 14 months under the leadership of Mario Monti. Candidates include Pier Luigi Bersani of the Democrats, Silvio Berlusconi's right-wing alliance and blogger Beppe Grillo. Democrats vowed to continue Monti's neoliberal programme but will ensure that burden of austerity is not borne solely by workers. More Italians are putting their faith on politicians who emphasise national sovereignty over super-national and global.

The article focuses on the plan by Renault to cut jobs in France by 2016 due to falling demand. It cites a decline in the country's car registrations in December 2012. The car maker says would go through natural wastage but plant closures would go ahead unless pay changes were accepted by workers. According to the author, the plan is bad news for employees but good for shareholders who received 324 million Euros in dividend payments in 2011.

The author asserts that Italian Democratic party leader Pier Luigi Bersani's plan to continue former prime minister Mario Monti's budget policies, should he get elected as president in February 2013, will push the country and Europe further into austerity. According to the author, the Democrats' promise to add jobs and equity to Monti's program is an empty pledge unless they can stop the rich from tax evasion. He also questions the Democrats' lack of plan for addressing employment rights.

The article discusses the implication of the 2012 poll results in Spain. According to the author, the local elections have confirmed the distrust of the Socialists rather than the austerity policies of Mariano Rajoy. He cites an increase in the absolute majority for the ruling Popular Party (PP), noting that the region of Galicia has been controlled by PP since 1988. He also mentions the 21 seats won by the Bildu separatist party.

The article reports on the strikes and protests across Europe, which is noted to reflect the rejection of the workers of the austerity agenda, as well as highlights the decline of the Eurozone business confidence.

The article discusses the transaction of coal by Spain in the black market to counter difficulty of reducing unemployment rate. It notes that corporate taxes will be raised through progressive tax reform campaigns. It mentions that cargoes of coal weighing 156,300 tonnes have been brought inland for inspection.

The article focuses on the 2012 presidential elections in France. Based on results of opinion polls, François Hollande of the Socialist Party maintains a consistent lead over opponent incumbent French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Aside from the preference of Sarkozy for austerity, economic problems which include unemployment, poverty, and public service cuts reportedly made him lose a significant number of French voters. Details about economic plans announced by Hollande are also offered.

The article reports on the rally staged by communists and socialists at Paris, France's Bastille monument in support of Left Front presidential candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon. An estimated 120,000 turned out in the event which saw Melenchon deliver a revolutionary battle cry in a campaign that is turning into a plebiscite of capitalism. The marchers also demanded a VIth republic and proclaiming a need for justice during the event.

The article discusses Popular Party's labour reforms that include cuts in employees' maximum severance pay, tone down collective bargaining rights and strengthened power of employers over workers in Spain. These measures are seen by the government to cut unemployment rate that has tripled to nearly 23% since 2007. Spain's two biggest trade union confederation has called for a nationwide protests against the reforms which it claims aims to dismantle workers' rights.

The author reflects on the impact of fiscal austerity on progressive newspapers and media plurality in Europe. "Liberazione" is suffering from Italian government cuts subsidy for the press and daily, "Il Manifesto," is also said to be struggling. The author notes that the disappearance of these titles will roll back decades of working-class gains. He also adds that their closure will mean that capitalists may now have the opportunity to monopolize the news agenda.

The article provides insights into the prevalence of slavery in several fruit growing regions in Italy.

The author ponders the economic and political impact of the May 15, 2011 movement of the indignados in Madrid, Spain. The author points out that Spain remains in the front line of the eurozone's sovereign debt disaster. He commends the novel approach of the movement, saying that the movement is working towards a political programme that they believe is central to the country's problems.

The article discusses the austerity package passed by the parliament in Rome, Italy, on July 14, 2011, which includes cuts to pensions, education, health and several other areas of public spending where most of the country's middle and working-class people depend. It says that the government approved the sell-off of local government-controlled public services, post office and national energy firms after the referendum in June 2011. The growing income inequality in the country is also discussed.

The article features Guiliano Pisapia, who won as the mayor of Milan, Italy. The media magnate said that he used the local elections to gauge his national power. He ended the 20 years rule of the right in the area after beating incumbent mayor Letizia Moratti, who hails from the most powerful business family in Milan. According to the author, the elections were marked by three dominant theme that includes maximum oppression from the ruling party, the entry of new faces in Italian politics and the candidates' use of social networking.

The article reports on the mass street protests across Spain against the ruling Socialist party that resulted to their defeat in the 2011 local and regional elections. The election results favored the right-wing Popular Party while the Socialist party lost in all the cities under its control. Voters showed their opposition to the Socialist's anti-working class policies and the elections delivered gains for the extreme right and increased the popularity of the Popular Unity Candidates movement. Debates over the significance of the M15 movement continue.

The article looks at the impact of the global banking crisis on the economy of Portugal. The country has loaned a 79 billion euro-bailout with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Central bank and the European Union (EU). It also cites the increase in public spending in Portugal in the form of bank bailouts and the rise in welfare payments caused by the increase in the number of unemployed.

This article focuses on another scandal facing the administration of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. Another 18-year-old girl, prostitution, wild parties are some of the allegations underlying the new scandal. According to Emma Marcegaglia of Confindustria, there is a need for Italy to recover a sense of dignity. Particular focus is given to Italy's economic woes, along with financial scandals in the administration. It attributes Democrats' lack of credibility to their failure to restrain Berlusconi's freedom when they were in power.

The article focuses on the decision of Germany's democratic socialist political party Die Linke to conrol Thuringia's regional government for the first time, in collaboration with other political parties such as the Social Democrats (SPD) and the Greens. It says that Die Linke is the heir of the communist-era Socialist Unity Party (SED). In addition, it also mentions the reasons the political parties choose Thuringia's regional government.

The article discusses the arrest of Portugese economist and banker Ricardo Espírito Santo Silva Salgado in July 2014 and its impact on the economic condition of Portugal and the rest of Europe. It states that Salgado was arrested and released after paying €3 million bail for tax evasion and money laundering. The widespread effects of the arrest in Panama where a bank is under control of financial authorities and in Angola which has been on a bad debt risks are mentioned.

The article reflects on Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi who was convicted of having sex with Moroccan prostitute Karima el-Mahroug, and then using his influence to cover it up. Topics discussed include comments made by lawmaker Renato Brunetta on Berlusconi innocence, charge against Berlusconi for child prostitution, and boycott of Berlusconi by journalists, political opponents and commentators.

The article reports on the impact of the approval of the first minimum wage in Germany on the youth and long-term unemployed which has been considered part of a power-sharing deal of Christian Democrats with the Social Democratic Party (SPD).

The article reports on a study conducted by a working group of the Collective for a Citizen Audit of Public Debt, which reveals economic policies favourable to creditors and the rich as the driver of public debt in France.

The author reports that the demand of the majority of Spaniards to have a referendum on the future of the monarchy are being resisted by the major parties. Topics covered include the legislation approved by the Spanish parliament which will formalize the abdication of King Juan Carlos, the threat by the Socialist Workers Party against its members of parliament (MP) voting against the legislation and the three socialist MP who voiced their disapproval over the bill.

The article discusses the results of the 2014 European Parliament elections. Topics discussed include an 18 percent increase in non-socialist left vote in Spain, the victory of political party Syriza in Greece which is led by European Union (EU) presidential candidate Alex Tsipras and a 17 percent rise in radical left votes in Portugal.

The article offers information on the European banking union which is touted to fix the banking system in the region. Topics include the single resolution mechanism (SRM) that will restructure failing banks, a bank levy-financed common fund for emergency cash, and the impact of the power of the European Central Bank (ECB). It also discusses the risks of "too big to fail" banks in the global financial industry.

The article reports on a court ruling on a tax fraud case against billionaire media mogule and former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and mentions details of the punishment, the ruling by the Italian Supreme Court on his case in August 2013 and a history of his political career.

The article looks at the anti-tax movement in France. President Francoise Hollande was criticized by the ruling class for promising to impose a 75 percent tax to the rich people. It explains that the overall tax burden of France at 44.2 percent of gross domestic product is one of the biggest in the world. Also discussed are France's public deficit made worst by the single currency and efforts of country to kick-start growth by regaining competitiveness.

The article reports on the plans of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to topple the government through the withdrawal of the support of his Popolo della liberta (PDL) party. It says that the Senate committee of Italy has voted on October 4, 2013 to recommend the stripping of Berlusconi out of his seat following his conviction for tax fraud. It adds that the bouncing back habit of Berlusconi in his political career must be a caution.

The article discusses how British communists are helping farmers bypass the big supermarkets.

The author discusses French President Francois Hollande's plan to extend the contribution payment period required for a full pension and argues that full employment and high wages are necessary for a sustainable pensions system.

The article reports that women from coal mining communities in Spain have launched a demonstration in protest of plans to shut down coal mines.

The article reports on the plan of Democratic Party premier Enrico Letta of Italy to implement European Union (EU) austerity doctrine despite the poor public finances of the country. Letta intends to deliver more tax cuts and neoliberal reform. Official figures forecast a potential contraction of Italian gross domestic product (GDP) and showed a decline in industrial output and increase in unemployment rate.

The article reports on a referendum in Bologna, Italy wherein voters rejected public funding for private nurseries run by the Catholic Church.

The article discusses upcoming 2013 local elections in Italy with regard to its economic and political crisis. It describes continuous popularity of former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and his right-wing political party among polled voters. It acknowledges competition between the Democrats and the Five Star Movement political party. The response of trade unions to said local elections is also explored.

The article reports on the political developments in France, particularly the major popularity crises confronting President Francois Hollande following two tax scandals in the country.

The article reports the increasing number of homeless in the European Union (EU) attributed to austerity policies during the economic crisis. According to the European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homelesss, the most affected countries include Portugal, Greece and Spain with 25-30% increase in homeless services reflecting higher unemployment, loss of income and suspended housing benefits. It also notes that three million people are homeless in the EU.

The article discusses issues regarding French President Francois Hollande's proposed supertax on those earning more than one million euros, which was struck down on December 29, 2012 by the Constitutional Court, based on the fact that the tax applied to individuals rather than households.

The author offers views on the economic crisis in Europe. The author discusses the trend towards privatization in European counties. But he mentions research that shows the other way around, in which private assets are taken back into public ownership. He insists that big business nowadays is more dependent on public contracts and public wealth to maintain its profits.

The article reports that the British councils has disregarded a government collection fund for the promotion of switching from fortnightly to weekly bin collections, according to a research that shows only one local authority has returned to weekly bin rounds out of 216 councils.

The article focuses on the agreement of a rescue plan for Spanish bankers, who believed their way to ruin, is being funded by all eurozone member states which is all eurozone citizens in 2012.

A reprint of the article "Clean Getaway," by Tom Gill, which appeared in an issue of "Counterpunch" is presented.

The article reports that workers at the Alcoa aluminum plant in Italy have reacted angrily following news that potential buyers of the Portovesme smelter have lost interest, putting the jobs of five hundred skilled workers at risk.

The article reveals that French radical left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon has called for a mutiny by Socialist Party ministers disappointed with the policies of President Francois Hollande. According to the author, Melenchon has criticised the president for inaction over an industrial meltdown highlighted by plans to close a Peugeot Citroen factory in an impoverished area.

The article reports on the move by miners to rally in Madrid, Spain to demand a reversal of subsidy cuts that could affect the coal industry in the country.