Conversation corner
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Dangerous games by socialists in Central Europ
Date2006/09/21 00:26 by: democratThe socialists in Central Eastern Europe are pursuing the worst and very dangerous politics. The socialist nationalist government in Slovakia and the liberal socialist government in Hungary are using the worst method to get to the power, lying to own its citizens only to win the elections. Its a shame that European PES is supporting these pseudo parties... Shame on PES! And shame on Hungarian and Slovak Socialists!
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Re:Dangerous games by socialists in Central Europ
Date2006/10/01 00:45 by: EFI strongly endorse and support the statement above. The PES should take action to ensure "extreme-right wing" socialist parties of central and eastern europe follow the essential policies of democratic socialism. Having been under a repressive communist regime in the past is not a reason to follow extreme neoliberal policies under the flag of democratic socialism. SHAME ON YOU HUNGARIAN, POLISH, LITHUANIAN, SLOVAKIAN AND ROMANIAN SOCIALISTS!!!
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Re:Dangerous games by socialists in Central Europ
Date2006/10/06 17:46 by: OjciecThis are not any games. In Poland situation is extremely difficult. Polish right wing parties are using socialist-like manifesto with many populist ideas. The leading socialist party in Poland (SLD) can fight with them only by pro-european and liberal policies. There is no other way !!
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Re:Dangerous games by socialists in Central Europ
Date2006/10/08 20:17 by: KarolyI think the truth is a bit more complicated than Democrat's email indicates. But overall, yes, the socialists in Hungary and Slovakia are mishandling a difficult situation.
It's a reminder that without an ideological basis, and a sense of direction, parties simply operating as a Technocrats are wide open to attack from a populist agenda. We know politics is about more than managerial competency.
We must also never make the mistake of simply equating modernity with progress. The success of Labour in the UK relates to its identification and strengthening of the institutions that people care about. Likewise, if social democrats don't seem to actually care about protecting the public services which people use, and actually being for "the people" then they are consigning themselves to irrelevance.
Unfortunately in the case of much of Central Europe, socialist parties seem to have lost a sense of their own purpose, and the lying that you refer to simply reflects a desire to keep a chauvinist, authoritarian party out of power. In the absence of a clear identification with the electorate's aspirations, ideals and any alternative vision for society, politicians are boxing themselves into a corner. I suspect the result may be a prolonged period of pseudo-right-wing domination.
