The establishment left in third place in elections in France (presidential) and Germany (regional). In France, Lionel Jospin of the Socialists scored a measly 15%, coming behind both Chirac and the loathsome Le Pen. In Germany, in one of the eastern German Lands, Schroeder's Social Democrats trailed the Christian Democrats and the former communists. However, this is probably less a rejection of the left than a rejection of politics as usual across Europe. French and German establishment politicians are just terrified of their voters. Given the historical record, you can't blame them. They're afraid of populism, because they don't know where it might lead. So they take refuge in the bland and bureaucratic. No wonder 7% of French voters plumped for the huntin' and fishin' candidate. Say what you want about American politics - and I intend to - but US politicians are wonderfully responsive to popular concerns.
· Shock success for French far right [BBC]
· Schroeder hit by election setback [BBC]