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Peter Mertens
Desk drawer with printed pictures including Trump with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell and Trump standing with women in swimwear. Trump, ICE, and the Epstein Files

Belgian political leader Peter Mertens writes on how in the US, security forces move into working-class neighborhoods – not into the villas and golf clubs of Epstein or Trump. Words like “monsters” and “death penalty” are reserved for people at the bottom, but as soon as the spotlight is turned upward, the hysteria dissipates.

Tanks don’t fill lunchboxes

Berlin rearms, Washington directs—but who pays the price? Money for pensions, healthcare, and public services is now funneled into tanks, missiles, and frigates. There is no reason to accept a societal model where plowshares are reforged into weapons.

¿Quién paga el precio por el retorno al militarismo alemán?

El resurgimiento del militarismo alemán, la fiebre armamentística europea y la retórica bélica de Washington apuntan a una escalada. Pero, como antes, la fuerza de la paz reside en la base: en los trabajadores, que pagan el precio.

Who pays the price for the return of German militarism?

The resurgence of German militarism, Europe’s arms fever, and the war rhetoric from Washington all point toward escalation. But as before, the strength of peace lies at the bottom – with the workers who pay the price.

Europa no necesita un clon local de Trump

El juego de poder de Trump con Zelenskyy expone el imperialismo estadounidense, el sometimiento de Europa y la urgente necesidad de la diplomacia sobre la guerra.

Europe does not need a domestic Trump clone

Trump’s power play with Zelenskyy exposes US imperialism, Europe’s subjugation, and the urgent need for diplomacy over war.

Soundtrack to a Coup d’État: neocolonialism and resistance

Director Johan Grimonprez discusses Soundtrack to a Coup d’État, his powerful exploration of Congo’s decolonization struggle, in conversation with Peter Mertens, Belgian political leader and author of Mutiny.

The year of the watermelon

A year after the beginning of the genocide against Gaza, Peter Mertens takes stock, reflecting on Hayat, born amidst the bombs, watermelons, Israel’s status as an international pariah, language, student occupations, and labor union actions.

Peter Mertens Peter Mertens: Mutiny in South and North

At the Cumbre de los Pueblos (Peoples’ Summit) at the European Parliament, Peter Mertens, Secretary General of the PTB, spoke about the mutinies that are needed to turn the world around