Volker

Germany's Merkel suffers setback in key state election - Yahoo! News

Yes, the Left Party gets seats in two West German State parliaments, they got 7 per cent in Lower Saxony and 5 percent in Hesse.

In an actual poll they are at 12 per cent for all of Germany, this makes them #3 so far.

Yes, the Left Party is getting stronger, this is good for us

mikhail

hmm i dont understand with the predicted potential recession coming why people would turn tp left wingers.

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Volker

This is actually a reason to vote the Left Party. What Germany needs to not get hit by a possible recession is a stronger domestic demand. There are a lot of people who want to buy things but they simply can not or are afraid to do because of these "social reforms" from the Schroeder government. If a recession comes, it is good to have the Left Party in power or at least have them influenced the other parties. If you have not, it's like more people get into trouble in this situation, while the rich guys cry for tax reductions.

The stronger the Left Party gets, the more concerned get the Christian Democrats and Social Democrats.

They both already began to shift to the left, because this is where the German voters will be

DarkWizard12

I hear the american left is opposite from the Euro left. Can someone explain that to me?

Volker

I sure don't can. My uncle is in the Left Party and he did kiss Angela Davis in friendship at Berlin airport.

My cousin was at a lecture of her and he was not so impressed of her. He is an American and not really a left one, but not a right one, too.

I don't think, there is a lot of a difference between American and European left.

the makeout hobo

I always thought the difference was that the european left are democratic socialist, while the American left is generally capitalist with a large social safety net.

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Volker

Well, maybe I use the term American left not in the way it is used in America. I talk about the peace movement and so. Hillary Clinton or JFK are not left in my book.

The Left Party sure wants Socialism here, even though they do not mention it that often in election campaigns at this time. The Social Democrats want a Socialism, too, it is written in their current party program. The Christian Democrats started with wanting Socialism or at least they had a strong Socialist element in the beginning, but they turned more to the capitalist side later.

DarkWizard12

^---its the same here in America. The Far-American Left wants everything socialized, health, oil, industries, everything.

the makeout hobo

I assume you're talking about the Socialist Party and not the Democratic Party? (waits for the quip "what's the difference?)

PeteEU

There is a huge difference. But first remember the term "liberal" means something totaly different in Europe (and around the world) as it means the acutally dictonary meaning of the word, and not a socialist or lefty.

The following is very basic as each party type has unique "issues" that can easily throw them into another catagory.

Because we have a muliparty system in most countries (more than 2 parties), the choice is often rather large. Now there are always a big "right wing" and a big "left wing" party in each country for the most part.

But thats where the similarties end. Remember the following is very simplistic

Left wing Demcocrat = Social Democrats in Europe. They are socialist in part, but are "off spring" of the communists or anything over there. And yet many ideas in Social Democratic parties are quite "centrist" too. They for example believe in the same things as the conservatives, just not in the method of getting to that point.

Centrist Demorcat = Centrist parties in Europe. A bit socialist, a bit conservative. I use to call them transvestite parties due to one danish centrist party being "king maker" in danish politics for 3+ decades and it jumping from one side to the other depending on who would give its most power. Often the religious based parties (the few we have) are in this category.

Right wing Democrat = Conservatives and liberal parties of Europe. UK conservatives fit in here, as does the party in power in Denmark, the Liberals. Basicly conservative ideas of free market, freedom of choice and lower taxes (with in reason), but not giving up the welfare system. Often royalists

Left wing Republican = same as Right wing Democrats. Maybe "republic" promoters, not really popular in most countries. Anti EU parties (non socialist) often are in this category.

Centrist Republican = Far right parties that have been "accepted" by the rest as main stream. Often older nationalistic parties that have toned down thier racist overtones. Anti royal, anti goverment, anti tax, but for the most part anti immigrant (based on colour and religion often), but padded into acceptable wording instead of the usual racist "kick out muslim" banners.

Right wing Republican = Neo Nazi, nationalistic racist parties across Europe. Le Pens party is a great example.

Now the US does not have true socialists (well the US communist party) as we have in Europe. Now they are not as "popular" as they use to be but they are still around and still very active and popular in big cities. Often they are matured former communist party members, and due to the downfall of the USSR they have switched to become "green" parties and social justice parties. But basicly they are far far left non communist parties. Lets say, makes Pelosi look like a bible thumping radical, but not as bad as Mao, Stalin and Lennin

Again this is a very generalised view and it can be hard to throw specific parties into each category.

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PeteEU