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In this article the author examines the state of center-left political parties in Europe. He notes that both the German Social Democratic Party and the Socialist Party in Austria changed their leaders in the summer of 2008, a tactic he claims was meant to regain favor with their respective electorates. The author faults the parties for abandoning ideology in favor of personality.

The author reports on the possible impact that the German legislative election may have on the country. Topics discussed in the article include the impact that the election may have on the ability of German Chancellor Angela Merkel to pass public spending and tax policies, a debate amongst German politicians regarding the kind of economic system they would like to see Europe using and the author's opinions regarding the extent to which Germany needs to be part of the euro.

The article discusses Europe's political shift to the right and to an old populism that produces an atmosphere of anti-Semitism. The results of a public opinion poll show that in Spain, media members foster anti-Israel language, and in Poland, Communist rule supported anti-Semitism. The author presents Germany's support for the right-wing politician Jörg Haider as an example of Europe's acceptance of populist and anti-Semitic movements.

In this article the author discusses the state of France and the French economy in advance of the 2007 presidential election. The author compares France's sluggish economic conditions with the more dynamic economies of Great Britain, Spain and Germany. He suggests that the new French leader look to those countries for inspiration and for new economic policies.

This article focuses on support for the European Union (EU) in member countries on the fiftieth anniversary of its founding with the Treaty of Rome. The EU has just 22% support in France, 24% in Britain, and 28% in Germany. The author writes that the downward trend to a large degree reflects on deficient leadership. If either Segolene Royal or Nicolas Sarkozy win the presidency in France, they will join German Chancellor Angela Merkel and presumptive British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in the summer of 2007 in what is described as an Euro-skeptical triumvirate.

Presents developments related to politics in Dresden, Germany for the week ending August 15, 1997. Fascination with the Labour government in Great Britain under Prime Minister Tony Blair; Prevalence of criticisms among politicians; Growth of bureaucracy; Reconstruction of the Frauenkirche.