Political Retrospection: 1995- 1999 Part 2
Western Europe
Western Europe was finding itself changing over to the new dynamic, to the end of the Cold War along with the continued presence of NATO and the formation of the European Union. France would remain under the Socialist Party with the victory of Lionel Jospin triumphing over Jacques Chirac though with Jospin claiming he will leave politics after this term of the presidency, which were leaving many to wonder what will happen. The Communists were gradually trying to rebuild, the National Front continued to lose alot of members, and the RPR, while growing, was losing members to the Union for French Democracy, which was seeing a phoenix-like rebirth in popularity over time. Germany would see the SPD/FDP winning the election once moe though the FDP was growing more while the the PDS was making gains over in the western part of Germany. Both the French and Germans were having to focus on growing their nuclear power reach, much to the reluctance of certain groups. However, given the revelations from a decade prior, it was the only real solution to deal with coal as solar and wind would still be several years off from practical wide-scale implementation, resulting in the German Greens to go and crack apart, potentially into two parties down the line. Despite this though, Germany would still be going forward as eastern Germany was everyday more and more integrated with its western half and catching up to stand over in prosperity, leaving behind the past. Over in Spain, controversy would cause a shift in political party. The PSOE would be replaced in the government by the Partido Popular in 1996. This would be the result of scandals regarding Felipe González and the creation of death squads over in fighting the ETA, the most well-known group of Basque seperatism. Despite this, the Partido Popular was still havng to adjust to the new status quo especially as the growing influence of women in prominence would not be stopped. The Porutuguese Socialists continued their reign with relection, moving foward after giving Macau back over to China and also dealing with East Timor independence, which included having to get involved with Indonesian actions onto East Timor.
Over in Italy, the Olive Tree coalition of leftist parties would triumph after the dissolution of the Italian parliament caused by prior troubles. It being a rather unexpected turn of events, it gave the various groups time to rise up and begin reforming, especially in growing in strength. Over in the Netherlands, the Labor Party would win reelections though this time by a larger margin against the main rival, the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy. They would also make massive news regarding SATMIN+ rights with the introduction of civil unions for same-sex couples beginning in 1998 and bigger news coming over with them consider same-sex marriage in the next future years. Such news would spread rapidly across the world and cause an upsurge of hope and political activity at such movements, with Belgium also in it. Overall, Western Europe would be experiencing a growth in new developments while tackling old ones, such as handling their colonial pasts and atoning fo those.
Central Europe
As the Cold War was now over and Central Europe rushed to join in the prosperity of the social democratic world order established, they were finding themselves having to deal with new changes at a rapid pace. This would be especially the case as the influence coming over from the West would also begin their push over into Central Europe. Poland would succeed in their goals to join NATO along with the creation of their own version of NATO for the former Warsaw Pact in CETO. With CETO, they were getting the chance to start becoming more of a regional influence, even as they rushed to catch up with Western Europe as they saw themselves part of the west. The Democrat Left Alliance and the Labor Union Party would rise strongly enough and continue a hold with Poland. Though speaking of CETO, its formation would be accompanied by Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, with the former two having joined NATO as well and the last one speculating on it. Hungary would see the the Hungarian Socialist Party maintain hold along with their relationship with the Alliance of Free Democrats in ruling as a prominent group in parliament, though the latter was growing larger. The balance between the new leftism along with traditions would lead to some buckling along with some politicians getting shifted around parties. Though Austria has remained the closest ally and influence on Hungarian growth and development. Austria would continue with Victor Klima and the Social Democratic Party of Austria, especially after a last-ditch attempt at coalition of the Austrian People's Party and Freedom Party of Austria failed, with one element being the growing rise of the Liberal Forum, especially with some the changes of their ideology.
Such trends of the victory of social democratic party victories along with the rise of more liberal parties was also seen in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, namely with the more liberal center parties accepting various matters of the status quo and to be maintained while presenting themselves as a fresh and new alternate. All the while everyone here would be making their plans to join the European Union, including their economies all lined up to meet the social democratic economic requirements. The Nordic nations would also be moving on in their own matter, though also cooperating in their own economic sphere. Norway in particular was focusing plenty of spending on expanding and diversifying their economy as they began planning to rely on petroleum less and less over time as market forces and ecological aims were declaring it to bess less and less profitable in the future. Though they have not considered joining in the EU unlike their neighbors in doing so. Further south, the Yugoslavic Wars would eventually reach their end over with the Kosovan War and the ousting of various political figures over in Yugoslavia as Kosovo would be liberated and joining up with their fellow countrymen in Albania. All while the other nations and countries were trying to rebuild and decide where their futures would be heading, at least beyond the plans to join the European Union and how well that would go.
Eastern Europe
The State Union of Sovereign Republics finished its transition and now stood as the lonely multi-headed giant of Eastern Europe. Optimism kept growing with the peaceful transferance of government within, as Chief Director Georgy Arkadyevich Arbatov would retire from politics and taking his place over as the Chief Director of the SUSR would be Viktor Arkadyevich Tyulkin over near the end of the decade. It truly helped to highlight the upcoming changes for the 21st century. The maket socialist reforms along with the growing adoption of computers and new freedom of speech was helping the nation find itself and recover from the troubles of a couple of decades prior. Military hardware was being cut down and recycled and the people couldn't help but try and indulge in what laid outside of the Sovereign Union. However, some of the various people have not given up on the grander ambitions and have begun looking into alternate means of achieving it. After all, from Cybersyn 2.0 being outlined in Chile over to the advnacements and implementations in computers and the Internet, they were alot of new tools and techniques that needed to be considered. They were also doing their best to try and mend relations with other countries once part of them though it was recognized it would take a while.
The Baltics were focusing on remaining together and finding their place though at the same time, political influences from their personal spheres were leading to some growing differences. From Estonia's growing closeness to Finland and by proxy the rest of the Nordic nations to Lithuania being influenced over with Poland's developments in spite of itself and Latvia caught in the middle, it would be worth keeping an eye on. Bulgaria and Romania meanwhile would still be focused on trying to purge the corruption within their governments and try to bring out some meaningful reforms over in the area. However, both would end up making the same unique decision regarding their economics: focusing on working and trading with Iran's sphere of influence. After all, both nations had connection to the Black Sea, which they could trade over with Armenia and Kartvelia, both of whom had their growing modern trade networks lead through Iran and their allies. Armenia and Kartvelia in turn saw this as a way to grow closer to Europe proper, even with their close ties over with Iran remaining strong. They have also been influenced by the social democratic policies over and even focused on it as a way to grow closer to Europe. Greece would also following this direction in their own way. While there was the shock and tensions from the Iranian-Turkish War seemingly validating their concerns and pushing for Turkey's exclusion from EU oppotunities, the shared troubles from earthquakes would lead to a rebuilding ties and connections, especially with the growing solidarity there. Cyprus meanwhile would also increase trade and ties with Kurdistan and Iran, appreciative of the support during the rough times with Turkey and saw it to help be part of some new growth.