President Barack Obama's big government programs have caused some fears that the U.S. may be headed for European-style socialism. 

But Europe seems to be going in the opposite direction.

The New York Times reports socialists are in retreat across the continent.

In Germany this week, Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats won a big election victory over the Social Democratic party.

Her win follows recent socialist defeats in Italy, France and Sweden.

Socialists remain in power in Britain, Spain and Portugal, but in the UK, Gordon Brown's Labor party is third in the polls, it's worst showing since 1982.

The Times quotes a leading French socialist who was asked if his party was dying. "No," he said. "It is already dead."