Workers across Greece are participating in a nationwide general strike today (20 November), encompassing all sectors of the country. The strike is being held under the slogans “Money for Wages, Education, and Health” and “Out of the War Slaughterhouses.”

This strike follows weeks of preparation, marked by massive protests and sector-wide actions involving doctors, construction workers, dockers, maritime workers, metal workers, telecom workers, hotel staff, and distribution employees. These coordinated efforts underscore the growing discontent among Greece’s working class.

In a statement, the Militant Front of All Workers (PAME), the organization leading the strike, declared: “For the strike to succeed, there is no alternative but to fight everywhere. If we don’t fight for our interests, we will gain nothing. The great strike struggles of construction workers, railway workers, delivery workers, hotel staff, miners in the shipbuilding region, dockers, shipyard workers, health workers, and teachers are showing the way, providing hope and optimism for more sectors to join in.”

The strike is expected to disrupt government offices, schools, hospitals, and public transportation, including trains and island ferries.

Yannis Panagopoulos, president of the leading private sector union GSEE, emphasized the growing challenges faced by workers: “The cost of living is too high, and our salaries have hit rock bottom, while the high cost of housing has left young people in a tragic situation.”

Like other labor groups, GSEE accused the government of “refusing to take meaningful measures to provide decent living conditions for workers.”

Currently, low-income Greeks are forced to subsist on a minimum wage of less than 900 euros per month, even as retail, telecom, and energy costs remain among the highest in Europe. The left-wing opposition often criticizes this disparity, claiming the less privileged are forced to pay “British prices on Bulgarian salaries.”

Conservative Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis recently pledged to raise the minimum wage to 950 euros. However, critics argue that this measure is insufficient in a society where the wealth gap continues to widen, exacerbated by rising housing costs.

Despite these domestic struggles, international credit rating agencies have lauded the Mitsotakis administration for its fiscal reforms. These reforms have not only ensured Greece met financial targets and returned to investment-grade status, but also enabled the country to outperform other EU member states in terms of economic growth.

In Germany, preparations appear to be underway for a potential conflict that could directly impact the Federal Republic much more than before. According to Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), the Bundeswehr has initiated training programs for companies based on the newly approved German Operational Plan. This classified strategy document reportedly spans 1,000 pages and outlines critical infrastructure and buildings deemed essential for military protection.

The report highlights plan to address a potential Russian threat, focusing on defense strategies and escalation scenarios. Among the measures discussed are steps to ensure the resilience of the civilian economy during crises.

Civil servants ‘train’ companies in Hamburg

One notable aspect of the strategy involves collaboration with businesses. A recent event hosted by the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce showcased this approach, where Lieutenant Colonel Jörn Plischke offered concrete recommendations.

“For every hundred employees, train at least five additional truck drivers that you do not need,” Plischke suggested, citing the high reliance on Eastern European drivers—70% of all trucks in Germany are driven by workers from this region. He raised concerns about a potential labor shortage should war break out in Eastern Europe.

Chamber of Commerce stresses ‘resilient economy’

The Bundeswehr advises businesses to create detailed crisis management plans, including assigning specific roles to employees. Self-sufficiency measures, such as installing diesel generators or wind turbines, are also recommended. The Bundeswehr has called for similar training events to be conducted nationwide, with implementation overseen by state commands.

Malte Heyne, General Manager of the Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the importance of these initiatives, stating:

“A well-prepared and resilient economy is essential for Germany’s civil and military defense.”

Greens propose special funding for armed forces

As early elections approach, debates surrounding Germany’s military spending are intensifying. Green Economy Minister Robert Habeck is advocating for a new “special fund” to bolster military capabilities before the elections, fearing that a two-thirds majority may be unattainable if the AfD and BSW gain more seats in the Bundestag.

The “special funds” allocated since 2022 are projected to be exhausted by 2027. Habeck, along with Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, argues for exemptions from the “debt brake” to accommodate these increases. Pistorius has proposed raising the Bundeswehr’s budget to 3.5% of Germany’s GDP, equivalent to over €140 billion.

Germans against military intervention

Polls reveal mixed views among Germans regarding military spending and intervention:

50% support increasing the Bundeswehr’s budget to 3.5% of GDP, but 56% oppose cuts to social, ecological, cultural, and developmental budgets.

Less than half (46%) favor greater German involvement in international crises, with 71% supporting diplomatic measures over military action.

65% oppose Germany assuming a military leadership role within the EU.

Support for military aid to Ukraine has declined from 66% in 2023 to 57%.

CDU prepares for new interventions

Despite public hesitation, political leaders emphasize the need for Germany and the EU to assert global influence. Economy Minister Habeck recently stated:

“We must be capable of global policy-making.”

Similarly, Friedrich Merz, the opposition CDU/CSU’s chancellor-designate, added:

“Europe must be capable of global policy-making on its own.”

These remarks underscore a shared priority among Germany’s political elite: positioning the country as a global power, potentially through enhanced military means.

The planned comprehensive bilateral agreement between Germany and the UK will not be ratified as scheduled due to the collapse of the “traffic light” coalition in Berlin.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his German counterpart Olaf Scholz announced plans for the historic bilateral treaty—the first of its kind between the two nations—during Starmer’s visit to Berlin in August.

Although negotiations progressed rapidly, the agreement, initially expected to be finalized by January, now faces delays following the announcement of early elections in Germany.

“In view of the upcoming early elections to the German Bundestag, it is unlikely that the agreement will be ratified in the current legislative period,” the German government stated.

The ‘discontinuity principle’ halts progress

A week after the coalition collapsed amid internal political struggles, Scholz called for snap elections scheduled for February. With the SPD trailing behind the opposition CDU in polls, Scholz’s re-election appears uncertain, raising questions about the treaty’s future.

SPD foreign policy spokesman Nils Schmid previously told Euractiv that negotiations were set to conclude in January. This timeline aligned with the Bundestag’s schedule, allowing for ratification before the summer recess.

However, the German government clarified that the unfinished treaty would be subject to the “principle of discontinuity”. Under this rule, any bill not adopted during a legislative period is shelved and must be redrafted for reconsideration.

Negotiations cancelled

According to Euractiv, the ongoing negotiations have now been cancelled. The next German government will determine whether to resume talks and what the agreement’s content should include.

The agreement has been compared to the Treaty of Aachen (2019), which enhanced Franco-German relations by institutionalizing cooperation, including the creation of a joint parliamentary assembly.

Schmid noted that similar initiatives, such as regular meetings between parliamentary committees, were envisioned in the UK-Germany agreement.

London optimistic about progress

The UK government expressed satisfaction with the rapid pace of negotiations before the snap elections disrupted the timeline.

These negotiations, described as proceeding at an “unprecedented pace”, aimed to deliver practical benefits for citizens and a mutual focus on economic growth.

Germany had previously signed its first defense cooperation agreement with the UK under the Starmer government, reflecting deepening ties between the two nations.

While bilateral treaties typically take years to finalize, this agreement was on track to be concluded “within months”, according to UK officials.