PARIS -- Not so long ago, a majority of the EU members had leftist governments. Most have since shifted to the right, starting with Spain followed by Austria, Portugal, Italy, Denmark and, on May 16, the Netherlands -- despite very low unemployment figures under the Socialist Cabinet.
The latest polls indicate that Germany, where the number of jobless is highest, may see a similar outcome when it goes to the polls Sept. 22. The only recent electoral success that a European socialist party can claim has been in Hungary.
French Socialist Prime Minister Lionel Jospin ended his political career after his brutal setback April 21 in the first round of the presidential election. Will the French reverse the trend on June 9 and 16 when they pick deputies for the the National Assembly?