Maybe Europe Is Finally Growing Up

BBC NEWS | Europe | Jubilant Sarkozy supporters celebrate

First Germany, and now France have elected leaders who promise recovery from their moribund tradition of nanny-statism and America envy. While Sarkozy is by no means conservative by American standards, the contrast with conventional European mandarins is none the less startling.

As recently as a few weeks ago I would have said that because of the corrosive effects of socialism and deluded immigration policies, Europe was on course for a bloody swing towards Fascism and genocide, as is their historical predilection. With this moderating turn of events, and a more mature attitude towards governance, maybe that can finally be avoided.

That, may I add is a very large maybe.