Corbynism’s critical year

As Britain’s weak Tory government clings on – and numerous social, political and economic shocks threaten its downfall – a key factor is whether the Labour Party can provide a mass alternative to harsh austerity. This is one of the main themes in the British Perspectives document for the Socialist Party’s national congress in March, drafted by HANNAH SELL, from which we print edited extracts.

Austria: anti-racism, anti-austerity

On 13 January, tens of thousands of people filled Vienna’s main shopping street to protest against the new right-wing coalition government formed by the conservative ÖVP (Austrian People’s Party) and the far-right FPÖ (Freedom Party of Austria). This government had only been in power for a few weeks and had already horrified an increasing number of people with its fully fledged austerity combined with state-sponsored racism and authoritarianism. CHRISTIAN BUNKE, from Sozialistische Linkspartei (CWI Austria) reports.

Iran: a revolutionary opening

Mass protests in December and January shook Iran’s reactionary regime to the core. Although facing severe repression, they signal a new confidence and preparedness by workers and young people to fight for their rights, in opposition to systemic corruption, repression and inequality. ROBERT BECHERT writes.