May Day: A Rightward Shift

The article discusses the German Trade Union Federation (DGB) and its affiliated unions' support for Germany’s new right-wing government during May Day rallies. The DGB, historically associated with social democracy and workers' rights, is depicted as aligning itself with a government pursuing policies that prioritize rearmament and military intervention. The article criticizes the union leadership for endorsing these policies, arguing they will lead to social cuts and austerity measures that harm the working class. It suggests that the DGB's actions are driven by a desire to maintain its influence within the political establishment, even at the expense of its members' interests. The author contends that the union's support for the government's agenda is a betrayal of the working class. The article further suggests that this alignment is part of a broader trend of trade unions across Europe becoming increasingly integrated into the state apparatus and prioritizing national interests over the needs of workers. The piece emphasizes the need for workers to develop independent organizations to defend their interests against both the government and the established unions. find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/05/04/c66b-m04.html