Perhaps Dion Should Visit Sweden

Sweden's Social Democratic Party has a lot in common with the Liberal Party of Canada.

Both were considered for decades to be the "natural governing parties" in their countries.

But in recent years, each faced challenges from rightist political organizations. In Sweden, a four-party alliance -- commanded by the conservative Moderate Rally Party -- spent years planning a comeback. In Canada, a merger ultimately led to the creation of the Conservative Party.

Now, the Swedish Social Democrats and the Canadian Liberals share something else. They are out of government, pushed aside in two elections held in 2006. Sweden rejected giving another term to experienced Prime Minister Goran Persson, who was criticized for his inaction after 500 Swedish adults lost their lives in the December 2004 tsunamis. Canadian voters precipitated the retirement of Paul Martin, who was unable to hold on to his brief minority administration in an election marked by the sponsorship scandal.

The similarities continue. Persson and Martin left the helm of their respective parties, and leadership battles ensued. In a year filled with discussions about global warming, two politicians perceived as environmentally friendly eventually took the reigns.

Revitalizing Swedish centre-left

The Swedish Social Democrats selected former sustainable development minister Mona Sahlin as their new leader in January 2007, seeking a contrast with business-friendly prime minister and current leader of the Moderates Fredrik Reinfeldt.

Canada's Liberals required 11 months to select their leader: former environment minister Stéphane Dion. Both Sahlin and Dion headed to their respective conventions as long shots, only to emerge victorious.

But that is as far as the resemblance between the Swedish Social Democrats and the Canadian Liberals goes.

Sahlin has effectively capitalized on a series of blunders by Reinfeldt and his coalition -- including revelations that ministers did not purchase their television licenses, and paid domestic workers under the table -- to place the Social Democrats well ahead in voting intention polls. Sahlin has focused on job creation, welfare and foreign policy, and has secured a slight edge as the most trusted political leader in the country.

The latest survey places her party at 43.3 per cent, well above the governing coalition of rightist forces and -- counting on the support of the Left Party and the Greens -- with enough backing to form the government in the next election.

Sahlin cannot bring down Reinfeldt unless the current coalition crumbles, but 2 1/2 years before the next legislative election, the status of her party has been restored, and the incumbent government seems destined to be regarded as a glitch in the long history of dominance by the Social Democrats in Sweden.

Dion's sputtering leadership

Dion's story has been different. His approval rating as opposition leader has dropped dramatically, even in the face of a Conservative minority government that has provided plenty of openings, from the isotope controversy to the allegations of misconduct over the vote of Chuck Cadman. Dion has failed to connect with Canadians. The standing of his party -- four points below its 2006 election total -- is a product of traditional allegiance, not to the sentiment of change that his election as leader was supposed to generate. Even the environment, Dion's perceived favourite topic, has fallen behind health care as the most important issue facing the country.

After more than a year as opposition leader, Dion has very little to show for it. Jack Layton has become the main protagonist in the House of Commons, providing the few questions that have forced the government into awkwardness.

The behaviour of the current Grit opposition is a far cry from the last time the party played the role of second fiddle in the lower house. When Brian Mulroney enjoyed large majorities, the Liberals found a way to keep the pressure on, particularly with the tactics of the so-called rat pack: Sheila Copps, Don Boudria, Brian Tobin and John Nunziata. If anything, their antics found their way into the nightly newscasts. Dion, on the contrary, has become well known for what he hasn't done.

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