France: the cultural war against the fascist Front National
The results of the French presidential elections are in, with Macron beating the fascist Le Pen. Here we look at the cultural war challenging Marine Le Pen and the FN, and the conditions that have allowed the fascists to flourish
FRANCE: Marine Le Pen’s fascist Front National – what you need to know
Marine Le Pen’s Front National is a fascist organisation – and it threatens to make a breakthrough in the French presidential elections on Sunday. We look at its roots and development, who votes for it and why, and the elements of its fascist organisation that it seeks to hide.
The women who made punk
If I recall right, the first woman punk musician I saw on stage was Gaye Advert (Gaye Black), the Adverts’ bass player. It was sometime in 1977 and they were touring with my favourite band, The Damned.
UPDATED Netherlands election: spotlight on far right racist Geert Wilders and the PVV
Wilders’ PVV failed to take first place in the Dutch election, although its vote has risen. But the most dramatic result is the collapse of the centre left PvdA after years of coalition government with the conservatives. Read our updated analysis.
First Poland, now Ireland: the strikes for abortion rights
Something special is happening in the fight for abortion rights, for a woman’s right to choose – it is a sort-of international strike wave. A sort-of strike wave that is so far made up of just two strikes. But the first – in Poland – has already won a victory.
Folk music and the politics of resistance
The folk music scene has always had a political, radical edge. This is a short, personal survey by Russ Chandler of the level of political engagement in the scene today.