Main focus of Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Brown lures Liberal Democrats into coalition

In a surprise move British Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced on Monday his resignation as Labour Party leader, to pave the way for coalition talks with the Liberal Democrats. But Europe's press doubts this gambit can keep Labour in power.

The Guardian - United Kingdom

Gordon Brown's renunciation of the Labour Party leadership won't keep Labour in power, writes the daily The Guardian: "The new man or woman at the helm will carry the burden of the party's record but be unable to offer the expertise to cope with the future. Yes, Brown failed to understand the social consequences of excessive immigration in his quest to keep UK labour costs competitive. Yes, he failed to support the military with the kit it needed. Yes, he allowed Ed Balls to so centralise control of the education system that teachers have become mere puppets dancing on Whitehall strings. There is more, but you get the idea. But Brown did not act alone. He had accomplices in the party: every member now being considered a possible successor supported these failed policies. The voters know that, and will remember." (11/05/2010)

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Corriere del Ticino - Switzerland

Gordon Brown's announcement that he is resigning as leader of the Labout party could severely damage both him and his party, the liberal daily Corriere del Ticino writes: "The resignation is on the one hand an admission of his election defeat and on the other an attempt to sabotage the negotiations for a coalition between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats. In one fell swoop the Labour boss has weakened the Conservatives' bargaining position and presented his party as the more attractive alternative. ... However it may turn out to be a miscalculation, leading to political suicide. Should a rainbow coalition emerge it would be under Gordon Brown's leadership until September, and he would quickly become the target of harsh criticism if he goes from the loser of the election to proclaiming himself as the knight in shining armour. He would pay a high price for his sacrifice if the Conservatives then went on to take the role of the true saviours, as a minority government without the backing of the Liberal Democrats." (11/05/2010)

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All available articles from » Gerardo Morina

Aftonbladet - Sweden

Gordon Brown's announcement that he will resign as leader of the Labour Party opens new possibilities in the post-New Labour era, writes the social democratic daily Aftonbladet: "Brown has gone and Labour - unlike social democracy in Sweden - has a new generation of politicians bent on taking the party forward. That helps. The party has an active economic policy and promotes industry, and last year's discussion on equal rights was lively indeed. New Labour carried through major reforms in its fight against poverty, but hardly dared talk about them for fear of scaring off centrist voters. Today the zeitgeist has changed." (11/05/2010)

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All available articles from » Katrine Kielos

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