Political Retrospection: 1980 - 1984 Part 2
Europe (NATO-Aligned)
France was still dealing with the complicated affairs of the Algerian Revolution and moving forward from the decisions there. Economic growth was slowly returning to the nation as it tried to steady itself for the future. Despite the past troubles however, it looked like matters would be going all right and they were arranging for greater economic unity with the rest of Europe Spain meanwhile was also moving forward after the death of Francisco Franco back in the 1970s. Of course, there was still some trouble such as having to deal with an attempted coup by neo-Francoists known as the Tejerazo over in 1981. At the same time, the newer policies and opening has led to a boom in economic and cultural growth, especially with the ascension of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party with the hopes of this trend continuing to help Spain. The same as been going on for other nations as well such as Portugal.
West Germany would continue on over with Helmut Schmidt. However, in 1982, there was an attempt at unseating Schmidt and replacing him Helmut Kohl. However, despite the plans put into place for the FDP to go from the SPD to the CDU, the vote was quite close and pressure coming from the uncertainty led to the vote failing only by three votes. As such, Schmidt would remain in power for the time being, though still enjoying some popularity along with a positive relationship with President Udall. Italy also saw some change as the "Pentapartito" coalition would see the Christian Democrats lose favor as voters realized they could support the other four parties of the coalition and maintain the same end goal in trying to avoid the Communists from rising. Then in 1984 would see Italy officially become a secular state with Catholicism no longer the state religion. In other parts of NATO-aligned Europe, the signs of progress continue to develop, such as the rapidly growing liberal ideals over in the Netherlands.
Overall with the NATO-aligned members of Europe, they have been warily watching othe Soviet Union, hoping that the situation can be dealt with long-term and without the concerns for nuclear weaponry. At the same time, the rise of the Udall Administration's successes have brought alot of further positives for the Europeans with Udall becoming quite popular as a respected leader and many noting he seemed to be the idealization of the best aspects of Americans.
Europe (Warsaw Pact)
The early 1980s were a tough time for the Soviet Union. While a combination of learning from the Americans' mistakes and clever usage of saber rattling was enough to avoid a potential war in Afghanistan yet still achieving their goals indirectly, there was still plenty of issues to be had, especially because of what was going on with their leaders dying. There was also the concerns as a result of the economic stagnation going on, especially with the Soviets' lagging behind over in computer sciences and other fields of growing importance. It was becoming clear that there was a need to do reforms and changes, but the how and of course the details were looming over the USSR. However, the positive was in having someone like Udall in charge of the United States. Unlike the more belligerent Reagan, Udall was a man of peace and quite good-natured, reassuring the Soviets enough to be able to start focusing on domestic affairs, especially since Udall was doing the same with the US.
The rest of the Warsaw Pact would see the fractures grow, especially as more and more nations were starting to want out of the Soviet Union's sphere. Poland would see the rise of the independent trade union known as "Solidarity" that would growing more and more to become a threat against the Polish United Workers' Party. Even despite the persecution and the martial law that was put into place starting in 1981. Other nations were starting to rise up more and more against the USSR-imposed governments. This had the rest of Europe keeping an eye on them, wondering what would be happening. The austerity measures put in Romania by Ceaușescu led to further decline in popularity for him while East Germany continued its own form of minor resistance.