After Pope Francis, a Catholic Move Rightward Seems Likely
Pope Francis brought a limited but desperately needed progressive spirit to the Catholic Church. Under his successor, that spirit is likely to wither.
16 Articles by: Pablo Castaño
Pablo Castaño is a freelance journalist and political scientist. He holds a PhD in Politics from the Autonomous University of Barcelona and has written for Ctxt, Público, Regards, and the Independent.
Gustavo Petro’s Final Year
Gustavo Petro became Colombia’s first left-wing president three years ago. With a hostile Congress threatening his landmark labor reform, he’s scrambling to make sure he’s not its last.
A Housing Crisis for Spain’s Center-Left Government
In Spain, rents have risen 74% over the last decade, with even steeper rises in the main cities. The Socialist-led government’s Housing Act has failed to rein in speculation, leaving many working-class Spaniards struggling to pay the bills.
Solidarity Has Saved Spanish Villages After Flooding
Flash floods in eastern Spain last month killed over 200 people. A massive solidarity effort by ordinary Spaniards helped to clean up devastated villages — and shamed the weak response by local authorities.
Sahra Wagenknecht’s Party Is a Bad Example for the Left
In Germany, the new Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance has scored well in its first electoral tests. Its burial of class politics and imitation of right-wing positions on migration show why its rise isn’t good news for the Left.
Bolivia’s Divided Left Is at Risk of Losing Power
A clumsy, short-lived coup last month couldn’t bring Bolivia’s discredited conservative forces back to power. But the divide between Luis Arce and Evo Morales over the legacy of the Movement for Socialism could give those forces a bigger opening.
The New Popular Front Can Win in France
According to polls for France’s snap election, the far right’s main opponent isn’t Emmanuel Macron but the left-wing New Popular Front. It has to rally working-class voters and show that the social damage of Macron’s rule can be undone.
Gustavo Petro Wants to End the War on Drugs
Colombia’s leftist president, Gustavo Petro, has plainly declared the war on drugs a bloody failure.
Gustavo Petro Wants to Lead the Global Green Transition
Colombia’s left-wing president, Gustavo Petro, has put environmental justice at the center of his agenda, pairing it with the fight against poverty and inequality.
Gustavo Petro’s Left-Wing Government Is Facing Staunch Resistance in Colombia
After a hopeful start in 2022, Gustavo Petro’s leftist Colombian government has run into major obstacles from economic elites. But the powerful mobilizations that brought him to power, paired with parliamentary negotiating, may be able to turn that around.
Colombia’s Left Government Will Be Watched Closely by All of Latin America
Colombia’s new leftist president, Gustavo Petro, took office Sunday. His government will face massive challenges in carrying out its promised progressive agenda — but success could help spark similar left insurgents throughout Latin America.
A Green New Deal for Europe
Europe’s rising far right want to make the EU elections a vote on defending national identity. For the socialist left, the elections are about defending the planet itself.
Barcelona, a Beacon By the Sea
With far-right forces on the rise across Europe, Ada Colau’s progressive administration in Barcelona shows how local government can be a base of resistance.
The Politics of France Insoumise
In the wake of its impressive performance in last year’s presidential campaign, the movement around Jean-Luc Mélenchon has set about establishing a new kind of political organization.
Building a Catalan Republic
Lluc Salellas of the Catalan leftist party CUP discusses the events that led up to Catalonia’s declaration of independence — and what happens next.
Notes on the Spanish Election
A strong Unidos Podemos showing in Spain’s election today would give hope to radical left forces across the continent.