Costly Bank Bailout Overshadowed by Swedish Government's Pursuit of Divisive Gender Law

Sweden's central bank lost 44 billion kronor, needing a bailout equal to half its defense budget, due to poor financial decisions
This budget disaster received little coverage as politics focused on a controversial gender law the right-wing government is forcing through
The government is ignoring its own party's and voters' opposition to focus on this trivial issue rather than serious economic problems
Across Europe, governments increasingly take unpopular stances opposite their voters' wishes to appear strong and avoid "populism"
With shrinking options, European politics is becoming meaningless, restless activity to combat frustration - a "decadence" foreseen by historian Jacques Barzun