The Democrats

Is there a future for European (and Greek) social democracy? I could provide a straightforward answer: Given their existing organizational structures, their sadly inadequate leaderships and their parochial ideological and political character, Europe's social democrats are not very likely to win back their once-prominent position in the European political system.

Romania's Social Democrats nominated on Tuesday MEP Viorica Dancila, known for her women's rights initiatives in the European Parliament, to replace Prime Minister Mihai Tudose who resigned on Monday after the ruling party withdrew its political backing.

Austria's far right won more than a third of the vote in the presidential election on April 24 and will face an independent in next month's run-off, dumping out the country's two main parties from the post for the first time.