Italian climate activists demonstrate outside the European Parliament, Wednesday, July 6, 2022 in Strasbourg, eastern France
FRANCE will fully nationalise electricity giant EDF, its prime minister said today, as the European Parliament voted controversially to include natural gas and nuclear in its list of “sustainable” energy sources.
Both moves are responses to Europe’s deepening energy crisis as Russia’s war against Ukraine and retaliatory sanctions drive prices sky-high — and make the continued flow of gas uncertain.
Elisabeth Borne, who succeeded Jean Castex in France’s number two job in May, told lawmakers the crisis meant “we must have full control over our electricity production and performance. We must ensure our sovereignty in the face of the consequences of the war and the colossal challenges to come. That’s why I confirm the state’s intention to own 100 per cent of EDF’s capital.”
From summit to summit, imperialist companies and governments cut, delay or water down their commitments, warn the Communist Parties of Britain, France, Portugal and Spain and the Workers Party of Belgium in a joint statement on Cop30
The desperate French president keeps running up the same political cul-de-sac. DENNIS BROE offers an explanation
In the conclusion of his two-part article, PETER MERTENS reveals that while global military spending hits $2.7 trillion with European arms company profits soaring 1,000%, €1 invested in hospitals creates 2.5 times more jobs than weapons
