In Memoriam - Obituaries and appreciations

“Alan Thornett, who has died aged 89, was the best-known militant in the British car industry during the decade when the industry settled the fate of British trade unionism.”

“We will miss Eleni very much, because what emanated from her was her deep appreciation of human connections, friendship and life.”

“[Harbi’s] death on the first day of 2026 means the passing of one of the last eyewitnesses of one of the great anticolonial struggles and the loss of an incisive historian.”

Jean Malifaud was for many years a member of the leadership of the LCR in France. Until the end of his life he was active in international solidarity and a committed trade-unionist.

Further to the appreciation by Alan Wald “Eleni Varikas (1949-2026)”, contributions from Greek Fourth Internationalists.

Eleni Varikas, a revolutionary Marxist-Feminist French-Greek professor of political philosophy, best known for her pioneering use of the concept of gender in French research, died of heart failure in Paris in early January 2026. She was 76 years old and the life partner of Michael Löwy, the French-Brazilian Marxist sociologist and philosopher. Both were contributors to AGAINST THE CURRENT and good friends of its sponsoring organization, Solidarity.

“Gilbert’s commitment was the antithesis of sectarianism. For several years, he had systematically drawn attention to the urgent need for unity in anti-capitalist action in the face of the danger of the far right exploiting social frustrations within the working class itself in order to recruit disaffected elements to the service of reaction. Denouncing electoral illusions, he tirelessly advocated a united front, "the only way to ensure the mobilization of all those called upon to fight if they wish to live with dignity, freedom, and protection from abject poverty." ”

Serge Chasseuil , my friend and comrade, has passed away. He had been experiencing health problems which had kept him away from activism in recent months, hence his absence from various gatherings in the Charente region.

Henri Benoits 1926-2025.


On 6 November, our friend and comrade Paul Mepschen passed away, far too young. For many years, Paul had been one of the central people in SAP, the Dutch section of the Fourth International. He was a dedicated socialist and scholar whose work and life revolved around emancipation. Paul’s warm and sympathetic personality will be missed by many.