Europe Left the Left

Change was the campaign slogan of United States President Barack Obama, change we can believe in supporters shouted across the United States, the change did come, and America woke up in 2009 to a new era. But at the same time the real political change occurred at a different continent, the old continent. Process of change that began in 2007 and since then occupying the entire continent by storm, the change is the rise of right-wing parties in Europe, or more accurate the collapse of European socialist left.

Yesterday it was Germany that adopted the change. The collapse of the left in the elections, gave the Christian Democratic Union headed by Angela Merkel additional term and an option to join the liberal right-wing party for a stable coalition for years to come. More than this victory triples the power of the right since the last elections. It was mainly a huge defeat to the left, who got the lowest support percentage since World War II. Now Germany, the richest country and most populated in Europe, to a country with the rule of a clear right government.

Germany is not the first, it joins France that in 2007 chose the conservative President Nicolas Sarkozy. Italy that in 2008 brings back Silvio Berlusconi for prime minister. European Union citizens that in June 2009 gave a decisive victory to a right coalition of parties in the elections for the European Parliament, what gave the right the power in the most powerful legislative body on the continent. And to Poland and the Netherlands that have right-wing parties in power since 2007 and - 2002 respectively. In addition to these countries even in Britain where the Labor Party still controls the government, the future for the left seems bad. Too many corruption scandals and a public's dissatisfaction with the current British government, going by all recent polls to give the Conservative Party a victory in the next year elections. And will put the right parties in power in six of the seven richest countries on the continent.

What particularly fascinates in this process is timing. On paper this is the worst time possible. The World is in economic crisis, economists and thinkers doubt the capitalist idea, and even the United States capital of the liberal world chose a president with left ideology, flooding herself with social reforms that had not taken place in several decades. In addition, the huge waves of immigration to Europe in the last decade, who support in general the left parties only adds to the strength of the European right's victory.

The explanation probably lies in two processes occurred in recent years, the first process is the European right-wing parties are not really right. Most have adopted a lot of socialist ideas and brand themselves as right-central parties. Showing the left's ideas in a fresher and much more pragmatic way. The second process is the rise of power of the radical left, drawing the entire left in radical's colors. And by doing so frightening voters not only from them but also from parties that may bring them to build coalitions together.

When we sum 2009 in a few months and check what were the events that characterize this year, it will be possible to say that 2009 was the year that the United States and Europe changed sides. United States turned left, and Europe turned right.