Wilhelm Zenz
Verified User
Social democracy, the most influential force in European politics for decades, is dying. And the result could be political fragmentation, instability and paralysis.
In recent months, social democratic parties have been swept from power in the Czech Republic, Austria, France and the Netherlands, adding to a long string of losses since 2010.
Since World War II, social democracy has stood, along with the center right, as one of the twin pillars of European democracy. Its decline, accompanied by the sharp rise of populists on both the right and left, will likely leave the Continent’s politics neither stable nor predictable.
The center left may survive in some form, but it will likely be shadow of itself. France’s Socialist Party, which won just 6.4 percent in the parliamentary election last year, and Greece’s Pasok, which last polled at just over 6 percent, offer hints of what may lie in store.
As elsewhere in Europe, frustrated voters in Italy have flocked to the populists. Renzi’s PD is expected to finish in the low 20 percent range on Sunday. It’s chances of playing a role in the next government depend largely upon Silvio Berlusconi’s ability to hoover up enough votes to form a grand coalition.
Nonetheless, some observers argue that the same global tremors that sparked the center left’s crisis could also prove its value as a political force.
“There’s still a role for social democracy in Europe,” insisted Michael Broening, an analyst with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, a foundation supported by Germay’s SPD.
“The problem is that social democratic parties have forgotten how to mobilize.” he added. “Once they manage to rediscover how to do that, there’s still a lot that they can do.”
Madeleine Schwartz contributed reporting.
In recent months, social democratic parties have been swept from power in the Czech Republic, Austria, France and the Netherlands, adding to a long string of losses since 2010.
Since World War II, social democracy has stood, along with the center right, as one of the twin pillars of European democracy. Its decline, accompanied by the sharp rise of populists on both the right and left, will likely leave the Continent’s politics neither stable nor predictable.
The center left may survive in some form, but it will likely be shadow of itself. France’s Socialist Party, which won just 6.4 percent in the parliamentary election last year, and Greece’s Pasok, which last polled at just over 6 percent, offer hints of what may lie in store.
As elsewhere in Europe, frustrated voters in Italy have flocked to the populists. Renzi’s PD is expected to finish in the low 20 percent range on Sunday. It’s chances of playing a role in the next government depend largely upon Silvio Berlusconi’s ability to hoover up enough votes to form a grand coalition.
Nonetheless, some observers argue that the same global tremors that sparked the center left’s crisis could also prove its value as a political force.
“There’s still a role for social democracy in Europe,” insisted Michael Broening, an analyst with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, a foundation supported by Germay’s SPD.
“The problem is that social democratic parties have forgotten how to mobilize.” he added. “Once they manage to rediscover how to do that, there’s still a lot that they can do.”
Madeleine Schwartz contributed reporting.