.

[Antonio the Sixth]

I still believe Romano Prodi was almost a saint...had to manage a coalition going from demochristians to hardcore communists,did so succesfully for a few years and managed to get us in the Eurozone.
And,of course,beat Berlusconi twice out of two general elections.

He had the potential to be very successful, had the parties (and the voter) given him a true chance to act.

So, everybody nominates their own local left-wing government of the 90s instead? How shocking. But I certainly won't nominate Jospin's government on my part.

I will do it for you. Jospin was great.

[Insula Dei]

So, everybody nominates their own local left-wing government of the 90s instead? How shocking. But I certainly won't nominate Jospin's government on my part.

You could nominate Chretien

[Hash]

So, everybody nominates their own local left-wing government of the 90s instead? How shocking. But I certainly won't nominate Jospin's government on my part.

You could nominate Chretien

Chretien was centre-right, and some would argue to the right of Mulroney (at least in economic policy)

[You kip if you want to...]

No one gonna chime in with "BOB HAWKE!"?

[minionofmidas]

No, but Brian Cowen was until a few days ago.

[Antonio the Sixth]

No, but Brian Cowen was until a few days ago.

I know you like to practice irony but here I really need to bed sure. You... are... joking... right ?

[minionofmidas]

No. Though only if the tactical purpose and gauge of success of centre-left governments is to be succeeded by slightly more leftwing governments.

[SPQR]

So, everybody nominates their own local left-wing government of the 90s instead? How shocking. But I certainly won't nominate Jospin's government on my part.

I am far from saying Prodi's was most succesful center-left gov't in the world...just thought it deserved at least one mention.

[they don't love you like i love you]

[Keystone Phil]

Zapatero really needs to do something about those Devil-like eyebrows. Maybe he can work on them after he loses the next General election.

[minionofmidas]

So, everybody nominates their own local left-wing government of the 90s instead? How shocking. But I certainly won't nominate Jospin's government on my part.

I am far from saying Prodi's was most succesful center-left gov't in the world...just thought it deserved at least one mention.

It doesn't. It only appears as if it did when compared to Berlusconi's do nothing (but party and self-protect) administrations.

[Beet]

LOL, successful center left governments in the 1990s were a dime a dozen. Show me one today outside of Latin America and I might be impressed.

[The Mikado]

Spain has the busiest coat of arms.  So much going on there.  And they stuck the thing on the flag.  Who puts their coat of arms on the flag?

[SPQR]

So, everybody nominates their own local left-wing government of the 90s instead? How shocking. But I certainly won't nominate Jospin's government on my part.

I am far from saying Prodi's was most succesful center-left gov't in the world...just thought it deserved at least one mention.

It doesn't. It only appears as if it did when compared to Berlusconi's do nothing (but party and self-protect) administrations.

Prodi came to power both times when Italy's conditions were disastrous,so putting things into perspective,I believe he made crucial policies in order to save (temporarily,of course) Italy from complete decline.
Just try to think about us with lire instead of euros...

[Keystone Phil]

Just try to think about us with lire instead of euros...

Ah, yes, a sense of a national identity. Imagine that.    Way better looking bills, too.

[Franzl]

Just try to think about us with lire instead of euros...

Ah, yes, a sense of a national identity. Imagine that.    Way better looking bills, too.

The national identity part isn't important. I don't particularly care if my currency is called "Deutsche Mark" or "Euro".

I do care about having to bail out everyone else. And the worst part about the Euro is there really is no alternative.

[Swedish Rainbow Capitalist Cheese]

I truly believe Sweden's best and brightest electoral moment was "Euro YES; 42,0% NO 55,9%" Sometimes even Sweden manages to make the right decission at the ballot box.

As for successful left-wing goverments today... Stoltenberg in Norway appears to be doing fine despite some of the facist-lite left-wing reforms he's pushed through during his six years in power. But then when you're strongest political opponents are the actual facists...

[Hash]

Spain has the busiest coat of arms.  So much going on there.  And they stuck the thing on the flag.  Who puts their coat of arms on the flag?

It looks cool. Castila, Leon, Aragon, Navarra, Granada with the Bourbon arms at the middle. It looked even cooler under Franco when there was a huge eagle behind and there was the 'Espana, una, grande y libre' slogan.

[SPQR]

Just try to think about us with lire instead of euros...

Ah, yes, a sense of a national identity. Imagine that.    Way better looking bills, too.

Yeah,and our economy would have probably collapsed like Argentina's by now
We haven't developed a true sense of national identity in 150 years,it's not like having lire would make much difference.

[Keystone Phil]

Yeah,and our economy would have probably collapsed like Argentina's by now

You mean it's possible to be any worse?

[Redalgo]

Yeah,and our economy would have probably collapsed like Argentina's by now

You mean it's possible to be any worse?

Look at it this way: at least it isn't the DR Congo. ^^

[SPQR]

Yeah,and our economy would have probably collapsed like Argentina's by now

You mean it's possible to be any worse?

Don't be naive.

[Keystone Phil]

Yeah,and our economy would have probably collapsed like Argentina's by now

You mean it's possible to be any worse?

Don't be naive.

I think you mean "don't be sarcastic." 

[SPQR]

Yeah,and our economy would have probably collapsed like Argentina's by now

You mean it's possible to be any worse?

Don't be naive.

I think you mean "don't be sarcastic."  

I thought you were serious...

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Thinking about this, but was he actually riffing off the Carlsberg adverts?