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Mass Demonstrations in Europe as Counterrevolution Brings Everything to a Head

Major protests against the economic crisis and the U.S./NATO war against Russia broke out in Europe on the weekend of September 3. Throughout Europe the people reject the sharply escalating attacks on their security and standard of living and demand their rights and claims be protected.

In the UK, natural gas prices have risen nearly 96 per cent in the past year, while electricity prices are up 54 per cent. In France, electricity bills are up 40 per cent. Bloomberg News reports the wholesale price of electricity in Germany has gone up more than 500 per cent during the year.

Bloomberg notes that the economic crisis is compounded by "droughts and extreme heat across Europe [drying] up rivers and reservoirs that are crucial to hydropower supply in some countries, starving the continent of another alternative to fossil fuels. Wind generation has also been below seasonal norms, pushing up costs for near-term power."

Czech Republic

The mass protest of over 70,000 people in Wenceslas Square in central Prague, the Czech Republic on September 3 caught the attention and imagination of many. Held under the slogan "The Czech Republic First of All," demonstrators carried signs denouncing the country's membership in the EU and NATO. People demanded the country should be militarily neutral, cease arms supplies to Ukraine and ensure that direct contracts are made with gas suppliers, including Russia, so that energy prices are brought down. They called for the resignation of the current government of Prime Minister Petr Fiala for not upholding the national interest and vowed to return in larger numbers if their demands are not met. They denounced the crisis as self-inflicted because of subservience to the U.S./NATO and the worn-out forces of old Europe.

Germany

In Germany, since September 4, people in Dusseldorf, Berlin, Cologne and other cities have been protesting the energy and war crisis non-stop. They denounce the ludicrous position of the German government which blames Russia for the energy crisis, yet refuses to certify and launch the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline and participates in the U.S.-led anti-Russia sanctions and the proxy war in Ukraine by sending weapons. In Kassel, the protests are demanding a ban on weapons exports to Ukraine. Mass actions blocked the entrances to the facilities of arms producer Rheinmetall and tank manufacturer Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, which are profiting from the U.S./NATO war hysteria.

Reports suggest that many Germans are deeply concerned with the militarization of the economy and the government's practice of openly handing over money to powerful companies including the privatized energy sector. Demands have appeared in demonstrations that Germany must take the lead to disband NATO and stop the aggressive war talk and threats against Russia and China.

Italy

In Italy, people are refusing to pay their electricity bills and are publicly burning them in the streets. They denounce the government's promise of 15 per cent aid in payments when in fact increases are running at 300 to 400 per cent.

Moldova

Rallies were held September 5-6 in Chisinau, Moldova demanding the resignation of the country's government and the president of Moldova for refusing to defend the people from the economic crisis. Instead they have kowtowed to the big powers in the EU and U.S./NATO through servile arrangements and have submitted to the big power pressure to enter the war against Russia. Energy prices in the country have jumped fivefold in less than a year generating havoc throughout the economy and hardship for the people.

France

A rally in Paris on September 3 denounced the economic crisis and called for the country's withdrawal from the EU and U.S./NATO. Demonstrators accused President Emmanuel Macron of refusing to defend the people and country and demanded his resignation.

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This article was published in

Volume 52 Number 9 - September, 2022

Article Link:
https://cpcml.ca/Tmlm2022/Articles/M520098.HTM

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