With concerns in many democracies that socialism is on its way out in the face of increasing success in elections of far right parties, it was refreshing that Portugal has shifted firmly to the left of centre in their general election two days ago.
Seguro celebrates victory in Portugal [RFI]
With concerns in many European democracies about the rise in popularity of the AfD in Germany, Reform UK, VOX in Spain, Meloni in Italy, Le Pen in France and Trump-ism in the USA, it's refreshing to learn that the socialist party in Portugal achieved its best ever result, sending the right-wing party into oblivion.
So, is Socialism Dead?
Whilst we are at a turning point in world politics, with dictatorships in China, India, North Korea, and Russia calling most of the shots, this is a crucial time for electorates to come to their senses and eschew the far right.
Vladimir Putin [unknown] Kim Jong-Un [El Mundo]
Xi Jinping [Britannica] Narendra Modi [Britannica]
There are widespread fears of a return to Nazism despite the images of the concentration camps, gas chambers and exhumed corpses of World War II ever present on our TV screens as we commemorate the 80 year anniversary of the end of that brutal conflict.
If not, what's next?
There is a bulwark of socialism in Canada, Denmark, France, Ireland, Poland, Scandinavia, Spain, the UK and now Portugal. In addition, socialists have a presence in coalition governments in Germany and the Netherlands.
Whilst Emmanuel Macron, Sir Keir Starmer, and Pedro Sanchez are unpopular in their respective countries and might not last much longer, all three bestride the international stage with aplomb and resolve.
Mark Carney the Liberal Party's prime minister of Canada is an important antidote to the tyranny of Donald Trump.
Links
Centre-left holds off far-right as Seguro wins Portugal's presidential election - RFI
© Paul Whitelock
Photos:
Britannica, El Mundo, RFI
Thanks:
Malaga Hoy, Paul Whitelock, RTVE
Tags:
AfD, Canada, China, coalition governments, concentration camps, Denmark, Emmanuel Macron, exhumed corpses, France, gas chambers, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Keir Starmer, Kim Jong-Un, Le Pen, Malaga Hoy, Mark Carney, Meloni, Narendra Modi, nazism, Netherlands, North Korea, Paul Whitelock, Pedro Sanchez, Poland, Portugal, Putin, RTVE, Reform UK, Russia, Scandinavia, Seguro, socialism, Spain, Trump-ism, UK, USA, VOX, World War II, Xi Jinping,