Europeans Voters Turn Against Left

[Stefu]

There is a righty sweep going on, indeed. Ever since Dubya, really. Putin in Russia, Fox in Mexico, Sharon in Israel, Rasmussen (not Rasmussen!) in Denmark, whoever (I'm pretty sure it isn't Varg Vikernes!) in Norway, Berlusconi in Italy, Balkenende in Netherlands, now Gaullists in France... and we can't forget Blair in Britain.

It's partly good and partly bad. I wouldn't vote for Berlusconi or British Conservatives, and definitely not for Dubya or Sharon, but having some change in power to less social-democratic in Scandinavia and other European countries isn't that bad.

As long as the change doesn't include Centre Party getting to government in Finland. Then again, they aren't righty party or anything.

[Immortal Wombat]

Originally posted by DinoDoc
Turning?

Is that you in your avatar? You're purty

[Giancarlo]

I always seen this shift about to happen since Aznar was elected in Spain in 1996.

Reddy, be more apparent about it then if it was a joke.

[red_jon]

Originally posted by Giancarlo
I always seen this shift about to happen since Aznar was elected in Spain in 1996.

Reddy, be more apparent about it then if it was a joke.

But I used da smileys!

[Hueij]

So what else is new? Ten years ago it was the other way around, the left was on the rise... Ten years before that... I can guarantee you that before this decade is over we'll see a swing to the left again... And after that...

[Giancarlo]

Originally posted by Hueij
So what else is new? Ten years ago it was the other way around, the left was on the rise... Ten years before that... I can guarantee you that before this decade is over we'll see a swing to the left again... And after that...

I think my country, Spain, will be the only one to learn not to elect socialists again. We did and ended up having a 25% unemployment rate.

Sorry redjon, I skimmed through your message too quickly.

[red_jon]

Originally posted by Giancarlo


I think my country, Spain, will be the only one to learn not to elect socialists again. We did and ended up having a 25% unemployment rate.

It will eventually, or a 'third way' party. No countries votes either right nor left wing forever.

[Hueij]

Originally posted by Giancarlo


I think my country, Spain, will be the only one to learn not to elect socialists again. We did and ended up having a 25% unemployment rate.

Sorry redjon, I skimmed through your message too quickly.

Don't you worry Giancarlo, voters have a very short memory

[Giancarlo]

OKAY! OKAY... maybe my country will go towards the center... (I am not going to concede anymore than that)...

Damn voters... they never learn... stick with the conservatives! Well that is just my opinion...

But Aznar will be remembered in the minds of voters... he managed to bring the 25% unemployment rate to 11%.

[*End Is Forever*]

Given that a US conservative posted this, it's interesting to note that on quite a few issues, these "right-wing" parties would be considered at least centrist, and possibly even centre-left, on the "American spectrum". I don't believe there would be any tolerance for the current Republican platform in any EU country, and hopefully there never will be.

Iain (a Tory branch vice-chair)

[red_jon]

Originally posted by *End Is Forever*
Given that a US conservative posted this, it's interesting to note that on quite a few issues, these "right-wing" parties would be considered at least centrist, and possibly even centre-left, on the "American spectrum". I don't believe there would be any tolerance for the current Republican platform in any EU country, and hopefully there never will be.

Iain (a Tory branch vice-chair)

I SAID THIS IN MY FIRST POST!

[Immortal Wombat]

But you are not a Tory branch vice-chair

[*End Is Forever*]

Yes, but it's easy for Lincoln (incorrectly) to dismiss that as a view of someone on the far-left. Although come to think of it, he probably thinks I'm on the hard left myself... which just shows how extreme-right and loony the Republican Party actually is.

[Monk]

What made Fortyun famous even before his death was his liberal approach on various social issues. This serves as an indication of the crucial difference between the Republican Party and at least some of the European populists - the moral, restrictive part isn't present, or at least severely toned-down, making them easier to swallow. I've yet to see a Danish People's Party frontperson speak out against abortions or condemning homosexuality. And they're the only Danish party in favour of lifting the ban on selling alcohol to people younger than 15.

[Starchild]

Unlike the American (or Canadian) right, the European right is something that I occassionally consider voting for on the basis of some of their policies.

Usually however, for every policy I like, two others are slightly offputting. So I stay a centre-left cheerleader (with matching rose red pompoms!).

All the more reason to get some proportional representation and voting lists so I can vote for who I like in the order that I like them!!