Newsline

Elections , Newsline

Is Leftism at the Dawn of a Global Retreat?

Posted on Tuesday, November 21, 2023
|
by Ben Solis
|
70 Comments
|
Print

AMAC Exclusive – By Ben Solis

Meloni, liberal vs conservative

Nonconformist anti-left firebrand Javier Milei’s victory in Argentina’s presidential election has shocked the global political establishment and ended decades of leftist rule in the South American nation. But far from an isolated incident, Milei’s meteoric rise is just the latest in a growing backlash against failed liberal policies around the world.

Throughout his campaign for president, Milei often launched into tirades against Argentina’s “useless and parasitic” political class, and even employed a chainsaw in his demonstrations of disdain for excessive government spending and bloated bureaucracies. Viral videos now making the rounds on social media show the 53-year-old economist vehemently denouncing what he calls the evils of leftism.

Across the Atlantic in Spain, conservatives delivered a similar shock to the European liberal establishment by dominating the country’s local elections earlier this year. Shortly thereafter, the conservative Popular Party saw a nearly 13 percent net gain in its overall vote share, becoming the largest faction in parliament.

However, the results of that election left no one ideological faction with enough support to form a government. In an underhanded attempt to cling to power, acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez of the Socialist Party is attempting to offer major concessions to Catalan separatists, including an amnesty deal for separatists who led a failed secession attempt in 2017, in exchange for their support.

The scheme has ignited weeks of widespread protests against the Sanchez government, showcasing the growing influence and momentum of the conservative movement inside a country that was once thought a permanent liberal stronghold.

In France, the cradle of European liberalism, conservatives now control the Senate and have erased the absolute majority previously held by President Emmanuel Macron’s liberal Ensemble coalition. Although France’s next presidential elections are still nearly three years away, polls show that Marine Le Pen, leader of the conservative National Front, would win against all the hypothetical candidates to replace Macron, who is term-limited. Le Pen has been a strong advocate for deporting illegal immigrants, cutting taxes, and reducing welfare spending and red tape.

Finland and neighboring Sweden – two other hotbeds of far-left radicalism – have also seen swings rightward amid chaos and dysfunction wrought by liberal policies. The new Finnish government under Conservative Prime Minister Petteri Orpo is taking on the unsustainable cost of Finland’s massive welfare programs, including unemployment benefits and unchecked power of unions over wage negotiations.

The Swedish conservative government, which took power last year in a historic reversal of fortunes after decades of irrelevancy, has reversed growth killing policies by cutting funding for climate policies and introducing tax-cuts on gas and diesel. It has also reversed its policy of financing shady foreign groups that taxpayers were hardly aware of, like the Association of Serbian Orthodox Women or the Gambian Association. Other features of the conservative budget include tax-cuts for pensioners and more funding for police and prison system.

Conservative Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is now just over one year into her tenure in Italy and has achieved major victories for what some have termed her “Italy First” agenda. Meloni’s government has reversed a prior ban on the export of natural gas, expanded drilling contracts in the Adriatic Sea, ended the dangerous practice of allowing foreign countries like China to own significant portions of Italy’s public debt, and pursued tax cuts and a targeted program of deregulation.

Meloni’s government has also forced the European Union to reconsider its immigration policies and placed pressure on German NGOs for delivering shipwrecked migrants to Italian ports. Earlier this week, Meloni unveiled more details of what she calls the “Mattei Plan” to invest in the African energy sector and deter illegal immigration.

In Slovakia, the new government elected this year won on promises of lower taxes, including on children’s clothes, feminine hygiene products, and groceries, along with a promise to restrict immigration. Slovakia’s Prime Minister has vowed that his country will not accept “even a single Muslim migrant.”

In the Netherlands, the upstart conservative Farmer-Citizen Movement Party (abbreviated BBB in Dutch) won big in provincial elections in March and is expected to make more gains in the country’s general elections this week. BBB was founded as a single-issue party opposed to the liberal government’s proposed “green” policies demanding drastic cuts in nitrogen emissions which would have destroyed most of the country’s vital farming industry.

The backlash against leftism has not stopped in Europe. In South Korea, conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol has emphasized the need to reduce government spending, and has followed through with a 2024 budget proposal that is the smallest year-on-year increase since 2005, expanding barely by 2.8 percent to US$487 billion.

“The cost of this government is too high; and it adversely affects our business climate,” Yoon said after his election last year. His budget notably features significant spending cuts on subsidies for climate policies and tax cuts.

Last month in Australia, voters also rejected proposition introduced by the liberal government that would have amended the country’s constitution to create an “Indigenous People’s Voice” with representation in parliament. The ruling parties insisted that indigenous Australians suffer injustice because they lack their own governing body with a consultative function for cabinet.

However, neither the Prime Minister nor any other politician could explain how this idea could work within institutions established by the Constitution. Voters wisely recognized that the proposal would only deepen racial divisions, as it would in effect create a special representative entity for only one racial group. 60 percent of Australians voted “no” on the measure. The vote was a major blow to liberal Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who bunkered down in his executive residence on election night and offered no comment on the outcome.

Throughout the world, voters in many countries that have for years been dominated by left-wing political parties appear to be slowly turning toward conservative alternatives. Along with a backlash against failed liberal policies, what we may now be witnessing is a moral counterrevolution – an outright rejection of the foundational precepts of modern liberalism and a re-affirmation of traditional morality.

Ben Solis is the pen name of an international affairs journalist, historian, and researcher.

We hope you've enjoyed this article. While you're here, we have a small favor to ask...

The AMAC Action Logo

Support AMAC Action. Our 501 (C)(4) advances initiatives on Capitol Hill, in the state legislatures, and at the local level to protect American values, free speech, the exercise of religion, equality of opportunity, sanctity of life, and the rule of law.

Donate Now
Share this article:
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
70 Comments
Most Voted
Newest Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
LMB
LMB
1 year ago

The only problem I see here in the USA is the DNC has taken over the Election/Voting system to twist it in favor of the Dem-o-rats!!! You have the majority of the judicial system/courts/judges (Leftists) that are preventing the investigations/court proceedings for VOTER FRAUD!!! The Marxist-Leninist Dem-o-rats have become very effective in voter fraud through fake ballots, ballot box stuffing, leftist ballot counters, computer hacking, etc.!!!

DenvilleSr
DenvilleSr
1 year ago

Leftist policies in the US make no sense. They have reversed the energy independence achieved under the Trump administration. How does somebody else’s oil put less carbon into the atmosphere than our own? They want us to drive EVs. The batteries or the raw materials to make them come from Chinese owned companies. Meanwhile China is threatening our Asian allies and their military jets are encroaching upon our military jets in international airspace. They have allowed millions of illegal aliens to invade our nation without background checks. Who are these people? Do they have any skills with which to support themselves? Are they terrorists? Gang members? And tax payers get to educate their children and provide government services to them, including healthcare. Yes, we need immigrants, but they need to be screened for criminal history, ability to work and communicable disease. Common sense tells us these liberal policies are irresponsible and stupid. So what does that make the people who promote these policies?

Bill Smith
Bill Smith
1 year ago

The push-back against the communists in this country must begin now. Those who call themselves “socialists,” “progressives,” “liberals,” are individually little dictators, collectively, big dictators.

Scott L
Scott L
1 year ago

Leftists worldwide are poor at policies (especially economics), but they did learn one thing from their commie masters:
Control the press and you can literally get away with murder. Murder of opponents, of the electoral process, of education, of social norms like decency.

Thinking
Thinking
1 year ago

Will America follow? Will they reject the trans movement? The white racism? The open borders? The weakening of our military? Brainwashing our kids by teaching CRT? The spending and spending by the dems and not any of it for the American people, who are deeper in debt than ever? Support for the war in Ukraine to the detriment of the citizens of the US? Will we return to a complete police force? Will safety and justice be equal for all citizens? The rest of the world seems to see the destruction leftists are making in their countries. Will we the American people reject the left before America is destroyed?

Jerry
Jerry
1 year ago

Hopefully enough people will wake up and see the folly of these left wing agendas. Looks like that might be happening.

Jackie
Jackie
1 year ago

“The cost of this government is too high; and it adversely affects our business climate,” Yoon said. That’s exactly what I think, especially in our government!! It grows exponentially every time Democrats take control and once the new governmental appendages are there, it’s really difficult, if not impossible to get rid of!! We don’t need a federal Department of Education, they have made a gigantic mess of our schools!!! We don’t need a Department of the Interior, they don’t do anything at all!! We don’t need a Department of Transportation, they don’t do their job!! And the Department of Energy and the Department of Health and Safety – hahaha! And if there is a Department of Immigration, well….. Then there is the Department of Defense that seems to be run by a bunch of deviates!! There are way too many alphabet ‘Departments’ in this federal government and most of them are getting to be intrusive and interfering!!

Melinda
Melinda
1 year ago

For some reason, this country is always behind the curve, politically. I think having Trump in office was a wake up call to other countries, not so much here. Change comes slowly.

Patriot Bill
Patriot Bill
1 year ago

No time for complacency. We need more grassroot Patriots to step up and help restore our constitution.
It is good to my soul to see the world is waking up.

Rob citizenship
Rob citizenship
1 year ago

This article is very encouraging Mr.Solis, the wording in the last sentence is appreciated – ” an outright rejection of the foundational precepts of modern liberalism and a re-affirmation of traditional morality.” That sure enough is what is needed. Straight talk, that is the product of straight thinking – the definition of the word straight I am referring to has to do with honesty. That is the healthy way to communicate ideas that are respectful of the principles of honor,honesty, integrity,courage and loyalty. It is good that you mentioned the progress Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is making – her qualities are a great example of how to do things honorably and intelligently. And it is good to know that there is still courage, strength and wisdom to be found in Australia – there have been some reasons recently to be concerned about Australia – some leftist influence that apparently did not cause the admirable Australian spirit of respect for freedom to diminish. Well done with this article Ben

Myrna
Myrna
1 year ago

When voters are sufficiently impressed with the disastrous policies of politicians and have any opposite choice, they will vote for change. I think Socialism/Statism have shown their policies to be disastrous. The challenge goes to their replacements. We have to hope there is powerful and positive change.

Staber
Staber
1 year ago

Hopefully we set the ship to starboard in 2024. Anymore of this extreme port democrap and we could end up on the rocks.

JMS
JMS
1 year ago

We will never have fair and free elections in this country until we do away with mail-in ballots, enforce Voter ID, and monitor every polling place in the country. Otherwise, all these primaries, debates, and polls are useless. The cheating left will always find a way to stuff the boxes and silence the opposition.

David Millikan
David Millikan
1 year ago

Excellent article. The World is tired of constant failed socialist/communist liberal policies. All funding for Global Warming policies in the United States must be cut entirely and bigger tax breaks on gasoline and diesel.
Above all for the United States is the WAR on our ENERGY INDEPENDENCE and SOVEREIGNTY must end.
The Leftists are nothing but corrupt losers with only self serving interests for power and control. Their policies prove that at the people’s expense and freedoms and freedom of choice.

Mark Condon
Mark Condon
1 year ago

New Zealand’s recent national election saw a center-right coalition win, beating the left leaning Labor party which took office in October, 2017.

Joe McHugh
Joe McHugh
1 year ago

I have been following the political career of Italy’s prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni for some time, and I’m very impressed! She seems to be the best European leader at this time and the other politicians should catch a clue from her initiatives.
Meloni is a unabashed conservative and she takes it to the liberal socialists in Italy. For those who think women aren’t suited for political leadership, I point to women like Giorgia Meloni, and the late Margaret Thatcher.
The socialists promise the world for the people, the conservatives seek to improve the people’s chances to earn their own way so they can decide how to spend their individual earnings. People are attracted to the socialist promises until they have had enough of the socialist nonsense, and then vote the conservatives back into power.

Jeri
Jeri
1 year ago

Anyone who has read history is provided with numerous examples of the leftist tyrants and their reign of power does not work. Absolutely every time a tyrant has come to power people die and the reign of terror ends when the tyrant dies. But, please do not believe one word I say read history and see and hear the examples for yourself.

David Millikan
David Millikan
1 year ago

Even Dictator Beijing biden is pushing to BAN Private Financing of COAL which would drive Natural Gas prices through the roof. Only a Socialist/Communist Dictator would do that.
Another prime example of Leftist policies.

Linda
Linda
1 year ago

Very interesting indeed…MARXISM or socialism is not good..very interesting article and thanks for sharing…AMERICA is hanging on by a thread…In GOD WE TRUST…we are more united than most think ..THANK God for our founding fathers and us constitution ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????❤️????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

anna hubert
anna hubert
1 year ago

Good dose of harsh reality will wake up even the sound sleeper

Laura
Laura
1 year ago

They must be prevented from cheating. They only win because they cheat.

Barrett Smith
Barrett Smith
1 year ago

We, the people, do not want what the left is pitching. The left, on the other hand, do not care about the will of the people.

David Millikan
David Millikan
1 year ago

Another Leftist policy by Dictator Beijing biden that is illegal and unconstitutional is his Surveillance Program ran out of the White House called, “DATA ANALYTICAL SERVICES” (fancy name for SPYING) by Tracking ALL of Our Phone Records violating our 1st, 4th, 5th, and 10th Amendment rights.
An excellent example of why people are tired of Leftist policies and abandoning Socialist/Communist policies.
Socialism/Communism must be BANNED and OUTLAWED in the USA.

ButchDG
ButchDG
1 year ago

The answer is YES! People are sick and tired of the leftism marxist unlawful crap. The globalist progressive liberal elites are self imploding all around the world. Some say this is the dawn of a New Conservative Age. Conservative Nationalist Populists are gaining power in at least 19 European countries. Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Belgium, Estonia, Finland, Sweden, Italy, Spain, France, Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Poland, Greece and Cyprus. We will NOT hear about it from the leftism marxist lame street media. And there is a rising Conservative Nationalist Populist movement in our country that will probably put Trump back in office in 2024..

Rich
Rich
1 year ago

Leftism is on the decline as many “blinded” folks are gaining their sight into the truth all over the world. Watch the wounded socialist democrat party in this country be destroyed in the 2024 elections. The tsunami will be so damaging the liberal left will have to re-brand their wounded party and adopt some common sense. Thank God things are changing. Without significant changes in our country, this country would be lost. Once President Trump returns the democratic left will be in panic mode, for good reason.

Robbie
Robbie
1 year ago

AS a Front Line Defender of Freedom and Liberty I watch closely the political shifts throughout the civilized world. It is no small fact that the world IS turning away from the Socialist movements. The only thing we have to ensure is each of us do our parts to beat down figuratively and forceably the entire lefftist movement in our cities and states. Remember the best and only way to eat a lion is one bite at a time! Persoanlly I thin a war to clean out the swamp is requuired. It will be a hard long fight but we have no choice. Our Bureaucracy believes it is the finite definition of a system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives.

Leo
Leo
1 year ago

It’s well past due for humans to realize the travesty socialism brings on..!!

John Shipway
John Shipway
1 year ago

Before we start going all in with Mr. Mieli we need to catch our breath a moment and remember this is Argentina we are talking about. Mr. Mieli actually takes power on the 10th of December and I would be willing to bet that their isnt an insurance carrier on earth willing to write an in any way affordable life insurance policy for Mr. Milei. “Accidents” have a way of being manufactured in Argentina.
And celebrating Ms Meloni of Italy? She has effectively lied to the people that voted for her and has callouses on her knees from satisfying her owner, the corporate oligopoly called America. Debt rules the day in Italy and is growing thanks to Meloni’s idiotic continued support of the green clad Nazi, Zelensky. I guess she figures “anything for Uncle…….Sam”, as the citizens of Italy are getting to the point where the shoes famed for being of Italian manufacture are now regarded as “affordable food”. As for her supposed wish to not allow foreign countries “like China”, to own significant portions of Italys debt, only a dead beat nation would care who purchases bonds servicing their debt. A truly decent leader would lessen or eliminate national debt. That being something alien to American economists of course and it seems to Italy as well. The US sure is happy to have China own significant portions of American debt but unlike Italy we are at the point where we are going to have to become a dead beat nation. How does any country repay the TRILLIONS in profligate spending this slovenly nation has amassed? We are having extreme difficulty in paying the annual interest on our debt and interest only as that cost exceeds a trillion dollars a year……imagine those numbers. It is difficult.
I do wish the new Argentine President well, I really do. It is always good to see a Libertarian obtain a political office seat of any kind. Now, if the man survives,we will have to see how true to his word he becomes. Promising to eliminate massive swathes of bureaucracy is going to meet a LOT of resistance, a lot. The US is supposedly more “democratic” than is Argentina yet look what happened to President Trump for even attempting to do what Mr.Meili is proposing. Trump is in court right now and has how many open attacks ongoing against him now?
Good luck indeed President Elect Meili. You will need it sir.

no-mo-libs
no-mo-libs
1 year ago

Where did all the Communist – Marxist and Maoist – in all the noted countries go after their election defeats? To church to confess their sins, do their mea cuplas and for penance promised never ever to foster a revolution? Please. Check out Ho Chi Minh – they went underground – both literally and figuratively. So watch it and watch you children. Talk to them about what they learned in school. But be kind when doing so.

Gabe Hanzeli kent wa
Gabe Hanzeli kent wa
1 year ago

do let the left go into hiding. we need to find and prosecute every single leftist

Theresa Coughlin
Theresa Coughlin
1 year ago

I HOPE leftism is “at the dawn of a global retreat” but I won’t hold my breath. They will fight any attempt to stop the imposition of their policies to the bitter end and the leftist media will help them do it.

Stephen Russell
Stephen Russell
1 year ago

Or is this a feint, lure??

Musaiga
Musaiga
1 year ago

Still not holding my breath.

A Voter
A Voter
1 year ago

Yep. Everywhere except here in the USA.

Old Silk
Old Silk
1 year ago

The world is ready to have KKKlaus out of their lives and minding his own business in comfortable retirement with his bugs and weeds. They know that his policies lead to ruin of nations, just like 1930s Germany, where he was born into the German Reich when they were building back Europe better into Germany’s image, if anybody bothers to sit back on the porch and think for awhile without all of the electronics and Trump carnival sideshows.

Latest Articles

President Joe Biden, son Hunter Biden and sister Valerie Biden walk across the South Lawn of The White House on July 28, 2024 in Washington, DC. President Biden is returning from a weekend trip to Camp David. (Photo by Michael A. McCoy/Getty Images)
President-elect Donald Trump shakes hands with Dana White during the UFC 309 event at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2024 in New York City.
Textured red flannel shirts hanging on clothes rack in thrift shop

Stay informed! Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter.

"*" indicates required fields

70
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x

Subscribe to AMAC Daily News and Games