His motives are partly self-serving: he needs social credentials in a state that leans leftwards.

ECONOMIST: The sad lack of reformers in Germany, even on the right

He also claims that Mr Prodi has shifted leftwards since he was prime minister in 1996-98.

ECONOMIST: Italy's election

Even before his party reforms, the tendency of Labour governments had been to move rightwards not leftwards under the pressures of the real world.

ECONOMIST: Would Prime Minister Blair be a radical?

But Mr McCreevy has gone to Brussels, Ms Harney has now taken the health portfolio, and Mr Ahern's low popularity has put him under pressure to shift leftwards.

ECONOMIST: The economy has some weaknesses��but several strengths too

Does this mean it is heading leftwards?

ECONOMIST: Mexico's former ruling party reverses its losing streak

Mr Netanyahu, with an eye to the middle-of-the-road voter, could conceivably swing the pendulum leftwards again in the months ahead, perhaps carrying out the next phase of withdrawal prescribed by Wye and softening his refusal to free more political prisoners.

ECONOMIST: Israel and Palestine: Clinton’s trip | The