Voters steer Europe to the right

POSTED BY: Geezer
UPDATED: Tuesday, August 18, 2026 16:35
VIEWED: 24282
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GEEZER

Monday, June 8, 2009 1:24 PM

Quote:
Centre-right parties have done well in elections to the European Parliament at the expense of the left.

Far-right and anti-immigration parties also made gains, as turnout figures plunged to 43% - the lowest since direct elections began 30 years ago.

The UK Labour Party, Germany's Social Democrats and France's Socialist Party were heading for historic defeats.

The centre-right European People's Party (EPP) looks set to continue to hold power in the parliament.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8088309.stm

Be interesting to see the analysis of this - as to why Europeans are rejecting the socialist platform.

"Keep the Shiny side up"

KPO

Monday, June 8, 2009 4:01 PM

I think in tough economic times people generally move to the extremes, and since marxism is no longer a credible solution people are being drawn more to the far-right (putting blame on immigrants etc.).

That's the case in the UK anyway, I'd say - the centre-right conservative party didn't make any substantial gains, but we have our first fascist MEPs now. Yay.

Heads should roll

CITIZEN

Monday, June 8, 2009 4:02 PM

Labour is probably Centre-Right if anything.

I wouldn't be expecting a loss of socialist programs like healthcare though, they work far too well.

BLUESUNCOMPANYMAN

Monday, June 8, 2009 5:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by kpo:
(putting blame on immigrants etc.).

I recall in Saarland Germany in the 90's there existed extreme predjuce against near easterners, most specifically Turks. If you went into a McDonalds in Saarbruken, you'd see anglos manning the front counter and Turks cooking in the back, placed specifically out of sight. I remember thinking it felt the same way mexicans are sometimes treated stateside, doing the dirty work nobody wants and doing it out of sight.

DAVESHAYNE

Monday, June 8, 2009 8:24 PM

Far more intriguing however is this result http://www.salon.com/tech/htww/2009/06/08/swedish_pirate_party/index.h
tml?source=rss&aim=/tech/htww Swedish Pirate Party FTW!

David

'Begone, sugar-free candy antichrist!' - Nathan Rabin.

'Geeks can't admit that anything worthwhile was invented before 1981. Soon, "making cocoa" will be called "milk hacking."' - Lore Sjoberg

http://xkcd.com/386/

"Don't worry. Captain Hammer will save us." - Penny.

I has myspace - http://www.myspace.com/daveshayneforpresident

WHOZIT

Monday, June 8, 2009 9:28 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by daveshayne:
Far more intriguing however is this result http://www.salon.com/tech/htww/2009/06/08/swedish_pirate_party/index.h
tml?source=rss&aim=/tech/htww Swedish Pirate Party FTW!

David

'Begone, sugar-free candy antichrist!' - Nathan Rabin.

'Geeks can't admit that anything worthwhile was invented before 1981. Soon, "making cocoa" will be called "milk hacking."' - Lore Sjoberg

http://xkcd.com/386/

"Don't worry. Captain Hammer will save us." - Penny.

I has myspace - http://www.myspace.com/daveshayneforpresident

Pirate Party! That'll make Pirate News happy!

FIVVER

Tuesday, June 9, 2009 1:58 PM

Quote:
I wouldn't be expecting a loss of socialist programs like healthcare though, they work far too well.

Quote:
A stroke patient has died after an ambulance driver allegedly refused to work beyond his shift and clocked off part-way through a 999 journey.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/5468213/Stroke-patient-di
es-after-ambulance-driver-clocks-off.html

Far too well indeed.

CITIZEN

Tuesday, June 9, 2009 3:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by fivver:
Quote:
I wouldn't be expecting a loss of socialist programs like healthcare though, they work far too well.

Quote:
A stroke patient has died after an ambulance driver allegedly refused to work beyond his shift and clocked off part-way through a 999 journey.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/5468213/Stroke-patient-di
es-after-ambulance-driver-clocks-off.html

Far too well indeed.

A single anecdote disputes that Public healthcare systems far outperform private only? Nope.

JONGSSTRAW

Tuesday, June 9, 2009 3:15 PM

Yes, socialized medicine is the best system. After all, don't people with money always fly to Europe to get the best care from the top doctors and surgeons? Ooops, that's America they go to, with its' antiquated private medical care system....sorry, never mind.

CITIZEN

Tuesday, June 9, 2009 3:35 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Jongsstraw:
Yes, socialized medicine is the best system. After all, don't people with money always fly to Europe to get the best care from the top doctors and surgeons? Ooops, that's America they go to, with its' antiquated private medical care system....sorry, never mind.

Well sure, if you live in the American far rights imagination, for everyone else in the real world that's still no where near the truth.

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