Eastern Congo is the dramatic scene of a war that has claimed 6 million lives over the past 27 years. Today, itʼs the city of Goma - one of the largest cities in the Congo - that is threatened to fall into the hands of Rwanda via the armed militia M23 and the regular Rwandan army present on Congolese soil. Hereʼs a behind-the-scenes look at an invasion that threatens millions of people. [Below find an explainer video by our MEP Marc Botenga in French]

Peter Mertens, Havana, January 31, 2025, 6th International Conference for World Balance. Below is the full text of his speech.

More than 30,000 teachers, railway workers, firefighters, peace activists, and more : together we were there to say stop to the government of Bart De Wever (N-VA) and George-Louis Bouchez (MR) who want to attack our pensions.

The situation of industry in Europe is alarming, and its future is at stake. This dossier from lavamedia.be looks at the key issues for understanding the current crisis, and puts forward 9 principles for saving our industry.

In response to the demonstration for our industry that brought more than 10,000 people to Brussels in September, Pieter Timmermans, head of the FEB (Federation of Enterprises in Belgium), presented his vision for relaunching Belgium's industry. For him, cutting wages and eliminating the recognition of overtime is the way forward... In other words, the proposals emanating from the future Arizona government coalition (named after the U.S. State that has in its flag the five colors of the coalition’s composing parties). Harmful measures that have already proved ineffective.

We can feel it: things are going to get moving in 2025 ;-)

On 28 October 2024, an international delegation arrived in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for a week-long observation mission. Among them were lawyers, former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau, Jaume Asens, a former Spanish MP who has since become an MEP, and Marc Botenga, his PVDA-PTB counterpart in the European Parliament. Solidaire met up with Botenga for a hard-hitting account of the few days he spent close to Israeli army fire.

ManiFiesta 2024 was all about a fiery atmosphere, talented musicians and artists, exciting speakers from all over the world, Belgium's biggest left-wing book fair, an international trade union village, a children's festival for our youngest revellers, the best food from around the world and sport and games for everyone. A new MundoFiesta square where we met many international guests from all over the world to share their struggles and enthusiasm. Thank you so much for making ManiFiesta 2024 unforgettable! We look forward to seeing you at the 2025 edition, on 13 and 14 September!

More than 32,000 people from the care, social welfare and socio-cultural sectors, from all over the country, took to the streets of Brussels to demand better pay, better working conditions and new colleagues.

Donald Trump has been re-elected as President of the United States and many people are wondering how we got here. And what should we do now? Peter Mertens, Secretary General of the PVDA-PTB, analyses the reasons for Trump's victory, the defeat of Kamala Harris and the Democrats, and gives a sign of hope in spite of everything.