Vanessa Sproul, a student from North Carolina studying history in Rome said the pick wasn't progressive enough and didn't represent a "bold" move.

WSJ: Dancing, Chants Greet New Pontiff

"There's no question that it's inconsistent with what is happening in Europe and on domestic routes in the UK that there shouldn't be progressive liberalisation on services on the North Atlantic, " he said.

BBC: 'Open skies' talks resume

President Obama learned a political lesson from President Clinton, which is that the tough decisions made in 1993 didn't advance the progressive cause.

FORBES: Grand New Party

But what is the point of being a latte-drinking, sushi-eating, Volvo-driving progressive if you can't get a decent cup of coffee?

ECONOMIST: The differences between Air Obama and McCain Airways

Hollande himself, though he promotes gay marriage as a progressive symbol, admitted he doesn't personally favor allowing medically assisted reproduction to homosexuals, and with the assent of many socialist party officials, had these corresponding measures postponed -- for parliament to decide -- as another law to a future debate, in March, or never.

CNN: Gay rights: How U.S. leads the way

But it isn't just higher taxes that make these so-called progressive states less attractive to business.

WSJ: Laffer and Moore: The Red-State Path to Prosperity

You can talk about all these things in Tunisia now, some of these topics were taboo under the Ben Ali regime, which used to project the image of a progressive and modern political regime but it wasn't the case.

BBC: Three faces of the new Tunisia

The Progressive Unionist leader Billy Hutchinson says the forum isn't his idea, but he hopes it might create a connection between the politicians and the people on the streets.

BBC: Forum receives guarded welcome from loyalists

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's governing United Progressive Alliance, which relies on Trinamool's 19 seats to form its Parliamentary majority, isn't likely to fall immediately.

WSJ: India Government Roiled as Ally Withdraws Over Retail Plan

"Even if it didn't manage to take the first place, Syriza is now the most basic body representing the average individual, the progressive and the anti-memorandum portion of our population, " Tsipras said.

CNN: Greek New Democracy leader hails 'victory for all Europe'