15426
Researcher & writer based in Hong Kong. Former academic. Longform articles archived at https://lauraruggeri.substack.com and https://laura-ruggeri.medium.com. Email: lauraru852@yandex.ru
TAIWAN - US-puppet Lai Ching-te and the DPP are blocking Kuomintang veterans who fought in the war against Japanese aggression, from travelling to Beijing to participate in the commemorations that will be held on September 3. That day China will hold a military parade in Tian'anmen Square to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Taiwan's ruling party also refused to hold commemorative events.
The Global Times writes:
"On the issue of wartime history, the DPP has long pushed for "de-Sinicization," deliberately obscuring and distorting Taiwan's historical role in the war, and forcibly severing the deep-rooted blood ties between the residents of Taiwan and the Chinese nation. They seek to make the younger generation forget the sacrifices of their forebears and to detach Taiwan society from its historical identity as part of the Chinese nation. Such shameless manipulation is not only a grave betrayal of historical truth but also a disgraceful insult to the martyrs who gave their lives in the war."
🇨🇳🇷🇺🇺🇸China will be guided by its own interests in its energy security policy, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun, commenting on US threats to impose secondary sanctions against Russian energy carriers.
"China will take reasonable energy security measures based on its national interests. There are no winners in the tariff war, and coercion and pressure will not solve the problems," he said at a briefing.
At the end of June, the diplomat made a similar statement in response to Donald Trump's hope that Beijing will start buying oil from the US.
Russia for several years in a row has been a major supplier of crude oil to China: According to official statistics, China imported 107 million tons of oil from Russia in 2023. At the end of 2024, Beijing purchased from Moscow 108.47 million tons of oil for $62.425 billion.
The day before, Trump said that he was reducing the 50-day period he had previously set for reaching a truce between Russia and Ukraine to ten days. If the negotiations fail, he plans to impose import duties, sanctions or "something else." At the same time, the American leader admitted that he was not sure these restrictions would work. (Source: RIA Novosti) @LauraRuHK
On 21 July President Putin signed a decree http://publication.pravo.gov.ru/document/0001202507210007 that could have very important ramifications. All foreign tankers must now obtain clearance from the FSB before entering Russian ports. Understandably Russia is concerned about security, for instance both the port of Novorossiysk, in the Black Sea, and Ust-Luga in the Baltic Sea, are located near military bases of the Russian Navy. But the decree also sent an indirect message to the EU after it approved the 18th package of sanctions. Last week, due to stricter controls, the shipment of Kazakh oil from Novorossiysk was temporarily delayed, that is about two percent of global oil supplies were suspended for a day. The port of Ust-Luga is vital to coal exports from Kazakhstan, 38.5% of which is received by EU countries. New requirements for ship owners include securing Russian insurance with a minimum coverage of $1 billion and passing mandatory underwater inspections — at their own expense. @LauraRuHK
Читать полностью…
Ursula agreed to buy $750B in US gas. Most analysts believe that this figure is completely unrealistic. The EU spent €375 billion on energy imports last year, including €76 billion from the U.S. Unless demand and/or prices suddenly skyrocket this quota won't be met. The EU would have to triple its American imports over the next three years — in the process shunning other providers, such as Norway, Qatar, Azerbaijan etc. Pretty difficult, not only because of existing contracts but also because the EU would be alienating countries it wants on its side. At the same time, the U.S. only sent $166 billion in oil and gas abroad last year, meaning it would have to divert all its exports to the EU — and then some. That’s “just never going to happen,” said Laura Page, a senior analyst at the Kpler commodities firm, quoted by Politico. U.S. LNG exports are not tied to a single destination and usually go to the highest bidder worldwide.
A senior Commission official also stated that the deal would be contingent upon specific “circumstances,” such as sufficient LNG infrastructure in Europe and “shipping capacity on the U.S. side.”
Another challenge is how Brussels would facilitate those purchases, given that it plays no role in buying cargoes itself.
The Commission official said the target “is not something that the EU as a public authority can guarantee,” but is rather “something which is based on the intentions of private companies.”
And so far, firms don’t see the economic rationale.
“The EU is not a company,” said one gas specialist at a prominent energy trading house. “Will they force EU companies to buy gas and oil from the U.S.?”
“If there is a commercial rationale behind [this], companies will do it — otherwise [it’s] obviously only hot air.” (Source: Politico) @LauraRuHK https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-trade-war-donald-trump-us-oil-gas-energy/
The EU just accepted a trade deal where the US imposes 15% tariffs on most EU goods, keeps 50% on steel and aluminium, the EU commits to buying $750B in US gas and investing $600B in the US. The EU drops tariffs on US goods.
Just don't call it a deal. It's a complete surrender to US interests. Which is hardly surprising when you look at the profile of Ursula's advisers. Bjoern Seibert and Tomas Baert. @LauraRuHK
⚡️Taiwan - Not a single KMT legislator has been recalled! ▪️The DPP administration led by Lai Ching-te will continue to face difficulty in implementing the divisive, anti-China agenda imposed by Washington, which includes an increase in military spending. @LauraRuHK
Читать полностью…
In Taiwan political polarization is intensifying, with the opposition KMT and the ruling DPP each accusing the other of paralyzing the activity of institutions such as the legislature and the Supreme Court, and blaming the other party for destroying social cohesion. To secure control of the Legislative Yuan and advance its legislative agenda, the ruling DPP has initiated a series of recall elections targeting opposition MPs. The KMT, which maintains a de facto majority through its alliance with the Taiwan People’s Party denounced this move as anti-democratic.
Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets. Some demand the recall of KMT legislators, other protesters oppose their recall. A vote on the recall will be held on Saturday 26. Regardless of its result, it's clear that Taiwan is not the shining beacon of democracy the West has been supporting and touting. If elected legislators are forced to step down, people who voted for the KMT will feel robbed of their votes and confidence in political institutions will be further eroded. If they keep their seats, they will continue to hobble the power of the executive and block the defense budget. In the last presidential elections held in January the ruling party, the secessionist DPP, lost control of parliament which hampers its ability to pass legislation and spending bills. @LauraRuHK
Kakha Kaladze, the mayor of Tbilisi, said that if it were up to him, he would expel the EU ambassador from Georgia.
Earlier the "diplomat" representing the EU in the country, Pawel Herczynski, had stated that the only way for Georgia to return to the path of European integration is to "stop repression, release those unjustly detained and repeal a number of laws".
"If he really made such a statement, he should be kicked out of the country. If it were up to me, I would have sent him away, because, first of all, we need to respect the Georgian statehood. The ambassador has no right to interfere in the internal affairs of the country, fuelling confrontation and polarization. He should refrain from statements that are steeped in lies and incite extremism," Kakha Kaladze said. (Source: Sputnik Georgia) @LauraRuHK
I fully agree with Professor Sergei Karaganov and support his vision. And not only because of my love for Siberia and Siberian ancestry. ▪️In his recent article he returns to, and expands on, his call for Russia's Eastern Turn. In order to take advantage of emerging opportunities and to fend off new threats, Russia needs a new Turn to the East: not just to Asia, but to itself, to its origins as a great Euro-Asian empire. And this requires a national strategy for the new movement towards “Siberization” of Russia, from the Urals to Kamchatka. ▪️Siberia’s development was greatly advanced by the Soviet Union, but then almost went into reverse due to the wretched reforms of the 1990s. Nevertheless, attempts to move the center of development to the East continued, at least on an intellectual level. Obstacles to it included the fading but still significant Western-centrism of the Russian elites. Only in recent years has Russia begun to build eastward gas and oil pipelines. The region almost entirely lacks north-south routes connecting it to the markets of the future. ▪️Siberia profoundly strengthened the best of the Russian character: cultural and ethnic openness, volya (free will), immense courage, and the collectivism necessary to survive and conquer such expanses and elements.▪️Most of our countrymen, in developing Siberia, did not fully realize that, by opening Russia up to the Asian markets of the future, they were transforming it into a great Euro-Asian power. That future has come now, and with it, the need to transfer some federal agencies and major corporations to Siberia.▪️Apart from Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia absolutely needs a third, Siberian, capital, not least because of the military-strategic situation of the coming decades. If Peter the Great lived today, he would have certainly founded a new capital in Siberia and greatly expand the “window to Asia.”▪️Sun Tzu, Confucius, Kautilya (aka Vishnugupta), Rabindranath Tagore, Ferdowsi, King Darius, Tamerlan, Al-Khwarizm (founder of algebra), the great Turkmen Magtymguly, Abu Ali ibn Sina (aka Avicenna, founder of medical science), and Fatima Al-Fihri (founder of the first university in the world) should be as familiar to Russian secondary school graduates as Alexander the Great, Galileo, Dante, Machiavelli, Shakespeare, or Goethe. We must understand the essence of not only Orthodox Christianity but also of Islam and Buddhism. All these religions and spiritual movements are already present in our spiritual memory. We only need to preserve and develop them. Siberia, with its multiculturalism, multiconfessionality (Orthodoxy, Islam, Buddhism, and various paganisms), natural riches, and vast spaces, is an excellent springboard for Russia’s leap into the future. @LauraRuHK 👉 Read more https://eng.globalaffairs.ru/articles/eastern-turn-2-0-karaganov/
Читать полностью…
Zelensky has shut down the Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies NABU and SAPO, which were set up with the help of the US to ensure its money wasn't stolen. They didn't make any difference to the level of corruption in the country.
Well, if anybody needs a face-saving pretext to throw Zelensky under the bus or dump Kiev, here is one. 😏 @LauraRuHK
China will build a new airport in Hegang, in the Heilongjiang Province, near the northeastern border with Russia. The airport, scheduled to open in 2027, is expected to accommodate 450,000 passengers and 1,600 tonnes of cargo annually.
The new airport could bring practical benefits, as areas with inadequate air links face enormous challenges in catching up with better-connected urban regions. Bordering Russia and hosting two national-level land ports, Hegang could benefit from growing bilateral trade, which reached US$244.8 billion in 2024, according to China Customs. @LauraRuHK https://www.interairportchina.com/en-gb/media/news_and_information/Newsfolder/10-11-1.html
⚡️Commento dell’Ambasciatore della Federazione Russa in Italia Alexey Paramonov
Suscitano sgomento gli spropositati toni polemici e la retorica aggressiva sulla stampa italiana relativi all’invito che le autorità della Regione Campania e la direzione del Festival “Un’Estate da Re” hanno rivolto al Maestro russo Valerij Gergiev – direttore d’orchestra di fama mondiale – chiamato a dirigere, il 27 luglio 2025, nella Reggia di Caserta, l’Orchestra Filarmonica di Salerno. Il programma comprende opere di Čajkovskij e altri compositori russi.
In Russia non erano certo passate inosservate le dichiarazioni con cui, di recente, si sono espresse le più alte cariche italiane contro le politiche di “cancellazione” della cultura russa, sempre più diffuse in Occidente. Nel 2022, quando l’opera lirica “Boris Godunov” di Modest Musorgskij è stata portata in scena, in apertura di stagione lirica, al Teatro La Scala, era stato in persona Sergio Mattarella, Presidente della Repubblica Italiana, a sottolineare che
“La grande cultura russa è parte integrante della cultura europea. È un elemento che non si può cancellare…”.
“Storicamente, le relazioni tra l’Italia e la Russia, e in particolar modo sul piano culturale, sono sempre state solide. Per questo io ho appoggiato la decisione del Teatro La Scala di inaugurare la nuova stagione portando in scena un’opera russa...”.
Ukraine launches "Test dummies" program. Foreign arms manufacturers will be allowed to use Ukrainian soldiers as test dummies, according to a new programme launched on Thursday.
Brave1, a defence technology incubator supported by the Ukrainian government, announced the “Test in Ukraine” initiative, where allied governments could hand over prototypes for new air defence capabilities, drone interceptors, AI-guided systems, loitering munitions, naval drones, electronic warfare systems etc, for testing on the battlefield.
In exchange, Brave1 would return with a detailed report about how it performed on the battlefield and suggest any additional real-time changes that would have to be made. (Source: Reuters/Euronews) @LauraRuHK
Dopo aver riportato la notizia di un "attacco di droni russi sulla città ucraina di Voronezh", confondendo autori dell'attacco (ucraini) e obiettivo (Voronezh è russa), ecco un'altra perla. I nazisti dell'Illinois, quelli dei Blues Brothers, avrebbero assassinato il colonnello dell'SBU Ivan Voronych. Secondo la giornalista de La Repubblica è andata proprio così, ma ovviamente dietro ai nazisti di John Belushi ci sarebbe il Cremlino. Elementare, Watson. A questo punto viene naturale il sospetto che nella redazione de La Repubblica la macchinetta del caffè sia stata da tempo sostituita con un erogatore di sostanze allucinogene. @LauraRuHK
Читать полностью…
The European Union has blacklisted two small Chinese banks in its latest package of sanctions, despite a warning from Beijing to expect consequences.
Suifenhe Rural Commercial Bank and Heihe Rural Commercial Bank, two regional lenders from cities close to China’s border with Russia.
The move could prompt retaliation from China, which has lobbied intensely behind the scenes to get the banks removed from the package. It also comes less than a week out from a high-stakes summit in Beijing.
During a meeting with the EU’s worst diplomat, Kaja Kallas, this month, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned her “three or four times” that there would be a response to the banks’ inclusion, according to sources familiar with the exchange. (Source: SCMP) @LauraRuHK https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3318793/european-union-sanctions-2-chinese-banks-over-aid-russia?module=top_story&pgtype=homepage
A big thank you to all those who have read, commented, shared or re-published my latest article. Research takes time and effort, your support makes all the difference. https://lauraruggeri.substack.com/p/azerbaijan-a-pawn-on-the-wests-chessboard
Читать полностью…
The Russian military launched an Iskander missile attack on the training center of the Ukrainian armed forces in Ukraine’s Chernigov (Chernihiv) Region, eliminating and injuring about 200 troops, the Defense Ministry says. How will Western media spin it? Will they claim it was a culinary school, a sports centre, an arts, crafts and design institute? /channel/rian_ru/307495
Читать полностью…
The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) reported that US and British representatives held a meeting in the Alps with Yermak, Budanov, and Zaluzhny to discuss replacing Zelensky. The SVR claims the US and UK proposed Zaluzhny as Ukraine’s next president, and Yermak and Budanov accepted the decision.
Earlier, American journalist Seymour Hersh had said that Zaluzhny had been selected to replace the head of the Kiev regime. He noted that the decision on the fate of Zelensky is in Trump's hands. (Source: Vesti.ru) @LauraRuHK https://www.vesti.ru/article/4618148
In The Grand Chessboard, Zbigniew Brzezinski, a major influence on U.S. foreign policy, referred to Azerbaijan as “the vitally important 'cork' in the bottle containing the riches of the Caspian Sea basin and Central Asia.” His metaphor, laden with imperialist undertones, vividly captures Azerbaijan’s strategic value as a gateway to vast energy and mineral resources. At the time of the book’s publication in 1997, Azerbaijan’s potential as a major gas and oil producer was already well-known (the Baku oil boom started in the 1870s, when the country was part of the Tsarist empire). Its importance as an energy corridor and critical node in global trade emerged later, but it was already clear that the West would seek to leverage Azerbaijan’s position not only to gain an edge in energy and trade, but also to extend its reach in the region in an attempt to undermine Russian security and interests. 👉 Read more in my latest article https://lauraruggeri.substack.com/p/azerbaijan-a-pawn-on-the-wests-chessboard, https://strategic-culture.su/news/2025/07/28/azerbaijan-a-pawn-on-the-wests-chessboard/
Читать полностью…
Weekend Challenge. A few days ago I finished a very long article about the West's shenanigans in a country described by Zbigniew Brzezinski as the 'cork' in the bottle containing the riches of the Caspian Sea basin and Central Asia. It will be published next week, but in the meantime it can be found on one of the platforms where I usually archive my work. Since it's a challenge, I won't tell you which. 😎
Читать полностью…
Taiwan - Spot the difference 🔺Pro-DPP media and netizens claim the first picture represents one of their demonstrations. 🔺Pro-KMT media and netizens claim the second picture represents one of their demonstrations. Read more 👉/channel/LauraRuHK/10329
Читать полностью…
Zelensky's strategic defeat
The president has introduced a bill that effectively nullifies all changes to the laws on anti-corruption agencies which were adopted by the Rada on Tuesday and signed by Zelensky himself.
SAPO and NABU are once again becoming independent from the Prosecutor General (i.e. from the government)
By the way, NABU has already approved the bill.
In general, Zelensky has completely "backed down." /channel/golosmordora1/48273 And this is his heaviest strategic, and political defeat since taking office as president.
First, he signed amendments to the law, then he himself canceled them after pressure from the street and the West.
Zelensky was under very strong pressure from the Europeans, they even threatened to cut off funding (Zelensky's main calculation was a soft reaction from Europe. He was wrong). Plus, the authorities were scared by the protests, even though they were not massive.
Therefore, the president decided to back down.
Such a rollback could actually mean Zelensky's gradual loss of control over the power vertical. Especially if he fires Yermak, making him a "scapegoat" (which many are already pushing the president to do).
(Source: News Front/ukroSMI) @LauraRuHK
A CIA officer's transition from the dirty "Global War on Terror" to the dirty "Great Power Competition with China." According to Jack Poulson, last September the U.S. Embassy in Manila rented an apartment at the Raffles Makati luxury hotel for $106,631 to house RA OFFICER PETER ENZMINGER. During the so-called War on Terror, Enzminger led the CIA’s Amman station under cover as a Regional Affairs Officer, was chief of the political section of U.S. Embassy Djibouti, acting as political / military chief for the nearby U.S. Embassy Sana’a, which closed in 2015. A June 2010 report published by the U.S. State Department’s Office of Inspector General further names “Peter R. Enzminger” as chief of the political / military section of U.S. Embassy Abu Dhabi in August 2007.
@LauraRuHK
https://substack.com/home/post/p-168981656
Anduril, the AI-powered defense startup backed by Palantir's Peter Thiel, is best known for its relatively cheap drones and autonomous lookout towers that track targets using radar and cameras. Its flagship software product, Lattice, integrates multiple data sources into a single point of view and can be used to “accelerate the closing of complex kill chains,” according to the company’s website. Anduril has benefitted from military tactics deployed in Ukraine, where drones have accounted for more than two thirds of battlefield casualties. “Ukraine is key because not only is it contributing to all of Europe doubling down on defense, but drone companies, software companies… they’re testing their equipment in Ukraine.” The company has secured over $2 billion worth of contracts with the U.S. government, and after building a powerful network in the U.K. its sights are now set on a European expansion. POLITICO explains how Anduril achieved its expansion into the U.K. with a massive PR operation, winning influential supporters and government contracts worth tens of millions. @LauraRuHK https://www.politico.eu/article/ai-weapons-for-westminster-defense-disruptor-anduril-trains-its-sights-on-the-uk/
Читать полностью…
The Beer Bear Russia has overtaken Germany in fifth place in the world for beer production, Handelsblatt reports, citing the largest German hop producer, BarthHaas.
Russia has produced 9.1 billion liters of beer per year, compared to Germany's 8.4 billion. China remains the top producer of beer, followed by the US, Brazil and Mexico. (Source: RIA Novosti) @LauraRuHK
On Trump's 50-day timeline to end the war in Ukraine ▪️In her article for RIA Novosti Victoria Nikiforova argues that an uncontrolled collapse of Ukraine could backfire on Trump, with his domestic and foreign critics likely blaming him for a "second Afghanistan." Russia also has no interest in a vast, unstable region teeming with refugees, potential terrorists, and armed instability on its borders. However, the concept of "controlled demolition" in construction applies here—Ukraine needs a managed resolution. This process must be overseen by global leaders. This is where Trump’s idea of a 50-day timeline gains significance. Coinciding with this period, China will celebrate the 80th anniversary of World War II’s end in early September. Xi Jinping has invited Vladimir Putin to Beijing for the occasion, and reports suggest Trump may also be invited. Trump faces two paths to resolve the Ukrainian conflict: wait for Kiev’s collapse and face a wave of criticism, or collaborate with the leaders of the other two superpowers to diplomatically settle Ukraine’s fate, earning acclaim as a peacemaker. Engaging with Putin and Xi is certainly more in keeping with Trump’s self-perception as a powerful leader than dealing with the expired president of a failing state or European lackeys. One can only hope that Trump will choose wisely, making September 3 in Beijing the day a war-weary world can turn the page. @LauraRuHK https://ria.ru/20250721/ukraina-2030288881.html
Читать полностью…
🇮🇹Italy cancels concert of Russian conductor Valery Gergiev
The performance was opposed by representatives of the Western-funded Russian opposition and Ukrainian activists.
They sent letters to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Italian authorities demanding the cancellation of the concert.
The Russian conductor's performance was scheduled to take place on July 27 at the Royal Palace of Caserta as part of the Un'Estate da Re festival. ▪️ Russian Ambassador to Italy Alexei Paramonov stated that the aggressive rhetoric and disproportionate controversy in Italian media regarding the invitation of the Russian conductor to perform at the Royal Palace of Caserta is staggering.
Paramonov emphasized that Italian authorities, including President Mattarella and Prime Minister Meloni, had previously spoken about the impossibility of canceling Russian culture, noting that relations between Rome and Moscow have historically been strong.
"In Italy, with the full acquiescence of the authorities, a small but highly active and loud group of destructive forces is doing everything to provoke negative perceptions of Italy in Russia and of Russia in Italy—essentially, to drive a wedge between our peoples, Russians and Italians," the ambassador remarked.
Maria Zakharova: Moldova is being groomed to become the next Ukraine.
"On July 4, Chisinau hosted the first Moldova-European Union summit. [...]
The longest section of the declaration focuses on security and defence cooperation. This fact only confirms what we’ve long emphasised: the West is pulling out all the stops to transform Moldova into a NATO outpost for potential confrontation with Russia. And they’re doing it with the full compliance of Chisinau’s authorities, who are systematically eroding the country’s constitutional neutrality. But how can they claim Moldova as “theirs” when its leaders are now Romanian citizens themselves, insisting that the Moldovan language be called Romanian, and rewriting Moldovans into Romanians? Let’s not forget: Neutrality is enshrined in the country’s Constitution.
Here’s more proof.
On July 10, Moldova’s parliament ratified an intergovernmental agreement with Germany on the equipment assistance program for foreign armed forces – a deal signed back in May by the two countries’ defence chiefs. The pact includes stationing a Bundeswehr advisory group in Moldova. So how, exactly, does this boost education in Moldova? How does it advance EU integration – as Chisinau keeps promising voters? Let’s not forget: the EU is, first and foremost, an economic bloc. What does any of this have to do with improving Moldova’s economy? Nothing. It’s pure deception.
On July 11, Denmark pledged roughly $8 million to strengthen Moldova’s defence capabilities – funding that won’t buy farm machinery, fertilisers, or loans for local industry. Instead, it serves one clear purpose: advancing Moldova’s militarisation for NATO’s benefit.
Moldova is further accelerating its integration with NATO countries, conducting over 30 joint military exercises with alliance forces in 2024 alone.
Why? The answer is obvious. Moldova is being groomed to become the next Ukraine. Tellingly, on July 13, Moldovan media reported four Moldovan officers killed near Kherson. According to reports, ten servicemen had been sent to a Ukrainian Armed Forces training ground – supposedly to “gain advanced experience.” Mission accomplished, it seems.[...] The crackdown against the opposition continues unabated. On July 10, a Chisinau court extended the house arrest of Gagauzia’s leader, Evghenia Guțul, for another 30 days – until August 12. On July 11, the Moldovan Prosecutor’s Office escalated pressure against opposition MP Marina Tauber (Victory Bloc), demanding a 13-year prison sentence on far-fetched charges of “illegal financing” and putting her on the wanted list. [...] Chisinau’s regime is desperately diverting public attention from its socio-economic failures. No time to address Moldova’s real problems – to develop its science, industry, arts or culture. There’s only one priority from Brussels: fast-track Moldova into NATO’s orbit as a staging ground against Russia."
🤡Battle of the braincells: According to "La Repubblica", one of the most disgustingly factious and deceitful newspapers in an environment already rich in factious and deceitful newspapers, the Ukrainian secret agent who was murdered was killed by "American neonazis linked to the Russian Federation".
Normally I'd have a snarky comment for bullshit such as this one, but honestly after hearing this I feel like my IQ has dropped by fifty points. Now if you excuse me, I'll go help myself to a gallon of vodka to numb the pain.
@Slavyangrad
I paesi dell'UE in corsa verso la bancarotta. Vogliono finanziare la digitalizzazione, la decarbonizzazione e l'aumento delle spese militari (tutto allo stesso tempo!) in un contesto di debito, deficit e declino demografico insostenibili.
Prendiamo ad esempio la Francia. Il primo ministro François Bayrou ha presentato un programma economico che prevede 44 miliardi di euro in aumenti di tasse e tagli sociali nel piano di bilancio del prossimo anno - almeno 7 miliardi di euro di tagli attraverso il congelamento delle pensioni e degli stipendi del settore pubblico il prossimo anno, 5 miliardi di euro di tagli alla spesa sanitaria e altri miliardi di euro verranno tagliati con una “riforma” draconiana dei sussidi per la disoccupazione. Ha inoltre annunciato tagli massicci ai posti di lavoro nel settore pubblico e forti tagli alle spese delle amministrazioni regionale. La ciliegina sulla torta è stata la cancellazione di due festività pubbliche. Il tutto per far fronte a un aumento del deficit, che è già tre volte il limite fissato dall'UE. Il debito sovrano della Francia ha raggiunto il 114% del PIL e il Paese spende 100 miliardi di euro all'anno per pagare il debito con le banche. Questo costo non potrà che crescere nei prossimi due anni, dato che i governi di tutta Europa pagano tassi di interesse molto più alti sul denaro preso in prestito anni fa a tassi inferiori.
Il piano di bilancio "lacrime e sangue" presentato da Bayrou intende iimporre tagli radicali a programmi sociali chiave, al fine di trovare decine di miliardi di euro per il rafforzamento militare francese ed europeo. Ricordiamo che il 91% dei francesi si era opposto ai tagli alle pensioni previsti da Macron per il 2023, ora Bayrou sta spingendo per misure di austerità che potrebbero esacerbare il conflitto sociale. La guerra di classe delle elites contro il popolo è stata dichiarata. @LauraRuHK