More state intervention in the Covid era
The vital role of the state in fighting the pandemic has also strengthened the position of European social democracy, analyses Právo:
“It was not long ago that people were writing obituaries for European social democrats. Now they have won in Germany and Norway. For the first time since 1959 there are left-wing governments all across Scandinavia, and in Italy, Spain, and Portugal they for part of coalition governments. What is behind this trend? One thing that has helped is the pandemic, which showed that not less but more state intervention is needed.”
A missed opportunity for Greece's social democrats
Kathimerini observes that the fresh wind of renewal is passing by the Greek social democrats without a trace:
“The Scandinavian countries are governed by social democrats, and social inequalities are their top priority. The main demands are to protect vulnerable workers, redistribute wealth and increase taxes on high incomes and inherited wealth. Social democracy seems to be gradually restoring its relationship with the 'people' after a long period of elitism that drove a large part of the 'masses' into the arms of populist parties. ... [However] Greek social democracy is absent from this trend at a time that would be favourable for its development. This is harming not only its own cause, but also the government, and above all, democracy.”