Peter Mertens is an author, political strategist, Member of Parliament, and General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Belgium. To connect with an international audience, Peter has launched new social media accounts featuring English-language content focused on global issues. Give him a follow and stay connected. Just as our struggles are. Instagram: www.instagram.com/petermertens_int YouTube: www.youtube.com/@petermertensinternational Multilingual social media: X (Twitter): www.x.com/peter_mertens TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@peter.mertens

Amidst the chaos of a world falling apart, hope is born. And few places radiate that hope as much as ManiFiesta, the Festival of Solidarity. 🔥 For two days, we celebrated, danced, laughed, played, debated and tore the world apart… to prepare ourselves to build a new one. 17,000 people came together in the spirit of solidarity and hope, in the fight for peace, the climate and social justice. Take a look at the photos and some of the weekend’s highlights.

Raoul Hedebouw's speech during the main event of ManiFiesta 2026.

Restructuring, layoffs, factory closures: the European automotive industry is faltering and shifting its focus to the defence sector. It prioritises profits for its shareholders, the tech crisis, and war, even though prosperity and peace are possible.

Closing speech by Peter Mertens, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Belgium (PVDA-PTB), at the International Anti-War Conference, London, 20 June 2026.

Healthcare, not missiles; pensions, not F-35s; schools, not tanks. That is the message from the 12,000 people demonstrating in Brussels today against war and for social justice.

This Sunday, we took to the streets of Brussels. Not for a minor issue but for a fundamental choice: “Welfare, not warfare.” For today Europe seems determined to massively rearm, making it increasingly resemble Donald Trump’s militarized United States.

The Last Days of the Old Normal. That is the title of Peter Mertens's new book, which will be published in French in October by Agone. In this book, he delves into the reality of today's world, where shocking events unfold at a breakneck pace. The PTB's secretary-general analyses how Europe and the United States are fighting for their survival within capitalism and imperialism. But resistance is growing. Choices have to be made. "Those who want to see the sun will have to fight for socialism."

We will not pay the price for their wars. In Brussels, on Sunday, June 14, the European march "Welfare, not Warfare" will take place, organized by the Belgian front Stop Militarisation and the European coalition Stop ReArm Europe. We will be there with the PVDA-PTB (Workers' Party of Belgium).