I don't know why I can't keep it straight, in Europe, left is same as left here?..seems like I was told its the other way around
In the post-WWII world when the old order in Europe died, leftist means socialist world a bit like Sweden is governed in practice. There was a minority of left that wanted to remake Europe in US founding's image in 19th century Europe, but it is nowadays classified as pro-market moderates by continental European standards. (eg Free Democratic Party in Germany)