Tuesday 3rd of December 2024
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germanic diplomacy at its finest.....

Thousands of Volkswagen workers in Germany went on strike on Monday after the company announced plans to close three plants and slash pensions. 

"Warning strikes will begin Monday in all plants," said Thorsten Gröger, who is leading the union negotiations with German auto giant.

"If necessary, this will be the toughest wage dispute Volkswagen has ever seen."

Tens of thousands of employees with the IG Metall union stopped work at 9:30 a.m. The strike is set to last two hours, a process which will be repeated by the late shift.

The move is a response to €18 billion ($19 billion) in budget cuts at the struggling carmaker, which includes major changes to its generous pension plan and an unprecedented three plant closures within Germany. 

"We demand that all make their contribution — management and the shareholder side as well," workers' council leader Daniela Cavallo said at the rally outside VW's flagship plant in Wolfsburg, referencing a demand from employees that executives take cuts to their Christmas bonuses.

She said the next round of talks, schedule to take place next week, "is likely to set the course — rapprochement or escalation. We are ready for both."

Sluggish economy

The issues at Volkswagen highlight the struggles facing the eurozone's economic powerhouse.

Germany's export-heavy economy has been suffering in recent years due to declining industrial orders.

VW, for example, has seen its once-lucrative Chinese market rapidly shrinking as domestically produced electric vehicles become more popular there. Moreover, looming EU tariffs on Chinese EVs have prompted fears of retaliatory measures.

In October, VW reported a 64% plummet in third-quarter profits. Other German automakers, such as BMWand Mercedes-Benz, have also reported major losses.

https://www.dw.com/en/volkswagen-workers-strike-at-factories-across-germany/a-70933630

 

YOURDEMOCRACY.NET RECORDS HISTORY AS IT SHOULD BE — NOT AS THE WESTERN MEDIA WRONGLY REPORTS IT.

 

         Gus Leonisky

         POLITICAL CARTOONIST SINCE 1951.

 

PLEASE DO NOT BLAME RUSSIA IF WW3 STARTS. BLAME YOURSELF.

dumme Diplomatie....

The chancellor made the previously-unannounced visit to reaffirm Berlin's support for Ukraine. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is in China, warning UN Security members to not add fuel to conflicts. DW has more.

What you need to know
  • German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has arrived in Ukraine to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
  • It is the German leader's first trip to Ukraine in more than two years
  • German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said the use of Chinese-made drones and deployment of North Korean troops on Russian territory was widening the conflict
  • President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine must find diplomatic solutions to retake some of its occupied territory from Russia

Here are the latest developments in Russia's war in Ukraine on Monday, December 2.

 Skip next section German military aid for Ukraine to include air defense systems and tanks7 hours ago7 hours agoGerman military aid for Ukraine to include air defense systems and tanks

German military aid that will arrive in Ukraine in December includes IRIS-T air defense systems, Leopard 1 tanks and armed drones.

"Winter is just around the corner, so there will also be winter equipment, as well as hand-held weapons and warming devices," a German defense ministry spokesperson said just hours after Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrived in Kyiv.

The ministry said that the deliveries were part of an aid package already announced by Berlin in October.

 

Kremlin not expecting anything from Scholz visit to Ukraine

The Kremlin said Monday that it had no "expectations" from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's visit to Ukraine.

"Germany is continuing its line of unconditional support to Ukraine," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Scholz spoke by phone to Russian President Vladimir Putin last month.

 

Zelenskyy eyeing diplomacy to reclaim occupied territory
Ukraine must find diplomatic solutions to retake some of its occupied territory from Russia, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with Japan's Kyodo News published on Monday.

The Ukrainian president said diplomacy could be an option "only when we know that we are strong enough," he told the news agency.

Zelenskyy said US President-elect Donald Trump and his team were evaluating the Ukrainian "victory plan" and expected more talks with them to explain "certain things in more detail."

 

Baerbock slams Chinese drones in Beijing visit

Russia is bringing Asia into the war in Ukraine with the use of Chinese-made drones and deployment of North Korean troops on Russian territory, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Monday.

Baerbock, who is in Beijing, stressed the responsibility of permanent members of the UN Security Council, which includes China, not to add fuel to conflicts.

"Drones from Chinese factories and North Korean troops attacking peace in the center of Europe violate our core European security interests," Baerbock said after meeting with her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi.

Baerbock told Wang that "increasing Chinese support for Russia's war against Ukraine has an impact on our relations," according to a readout from Germany's foreign ministry.

"Core German and European security interests are affected," she said.

Beijing says it is neutral over the war in Ukraine and it will not send lethal assistance to either side, unlike the United States and other Western nations.

 

https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-updates-olaf-scholz-makes-surprise-visit-to-kyiv/live-70934214

 

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YOURDEMOCRACY.NET RECORDS HISTORY AS IT SHOULD BE — NOT AS THE WESTERN MEDIA WRONGLY REPORTS IT.

 

         Gus Leonisky

         POLITICAL CARTOONIST SINCE 1951.

 

PLEASE DO NOT BLAME RUSSIA IF WW3 STARTS. BLAME YOURSELF.