Elections in Poland & Switzerland

[stannis]

Just for your information, that there have been two major elections in European countries in recent days, in Poland and Switzerland.

The Polish election has seen the centre-right and economically liberal* Civic Platform succeed over the incumbent government of the nationalist conservative Law & Justice and its allies. link (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601085&sid=arCiZf7vTnfY&refer=europe)

In Switzerland the 'far-right' anti-immigration party, the SVP, has increased its share of the vote amid turmoil and controversy. link (http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/10/22/swiss.vote/)

* in the European sense - i.e. tax cutting, free trade etc.

[Truth_and_Power]

It seems that all of europe is swinging to the right at present.. except maybe england. Why do you think that is? Just the pendulum action?

By the way, I read some article today by someone swiss decrying the loss of confidentiality in swiss banks of late. The person connected it to the bush war on terror in the finance realms. While I understand the need for privacy, considering the role of swiss banks in crime -- in american flicks its a cliche -- do you think this is a bad thing? Seems like corrupt leaders use it a lot to get their bribes out of country for the day they are revealed. Of course I'm sure they'll switch to bahamas accounts if the swiss open up, but still. Like to get your take on this.

[stannis]

It seems that all of europe is swinging to the right at present.. except maybe england. Why do you think that is? Just the pendulum action?

By the way, I read some article today by someone swiss decrying the loss of confidentiality in swiss banks of late. The person connected it to the bush war on terror in the finance realms. While I understand the need for privacy, considering the role of swiss banks in crime -- in american flicks its a cliche -- do you think this is a bad thing? Seems like corrupt leaders use it a lot to get their bribes out of country for the day they are revealed. Of course I'm sure they'll switch to bahamas accounts if the swiss open up, but still. Like to get your take on this.


Pendulum is a good word. It applies to European politics as much as American politics. As for a swing to the right, that's broadly true. Look at France with Sarkozy and of course Switzerland today. But the pendulum always swings back, so we could see a return of the centre-left to dominance in a few years. Actually, overall, Europe isn't too far right or left.

On the Swiss banks issue, it's not something I've read much about. It's a tricky one though. Confidentially encourages major saving by the wealthy, but opening up the banks would help transparency and perhaps the fight against crime. I'm undecided myself.