I was in Paris five years ago at the time Sarkozy just won the presidency, and I thought Sarko won't be a good president. Some French classmates-friends even despised me for being critical of 'their' new president. What now?!? Au revoir, King Sarko! So that's 'karma' for you, killing your most generous benefactor, Qaddafi!!!
I must say I'm pessimistic about the difference Francois Hollande can make at this time of crisis. But let's give him a chance. What does it mean to be leader of the 'socialist' party in France, in Europe these days?!? Though not supported by MEDEF or the bosses, I find Hollande's policies still very much within the ethos of 'neoliberalism', still pro-capitalist market, pro-capital, pro-business, and less on labour and the marginalized. To be socialist is not only to be anti-austerity. Austerity measures are only symptoms of the failed neoliberalism framework underpinning them.
My bet was Jean-Luc Mélenchon who understands pretty well what being a 'socialist' mean, why neoliberalism is deepening Europe's crisis, and why xenophobia and Islamophobia should end!
On the surface, it looks like Europe is now turning 'left' or 'socialist', but what frightens me is the constantly increasing number of supporters of fascist, extreme right parties. Imagine, the fascist Marine Le Pen getting 18% of votes, a considerable figure, truly alarming. Combine it with the numbers of neoliberal economic right-wingers! Meaning, progressives cannot afford to be complacent and there are more consciousness raising and touching lives to do!
I just hope that in France, in Denmark, in Greece, and soon in Germany, these so-called 'left' - or whatever is left in their socialist ideals - won't just prepare the ground for the return of the right neoliberal, xenophobe idiots!
To be for change!
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