A
message of hope from the regional elections in Spain - Big defeat for
the neoliberal parties that govern for nearly four decades - A test
for the national elections in December
“Spain's
anti-austerity Podemos movement has vowed to defeat the governing
Popular Party (PP) in national polls this year, after its dramatic
gains in Sunday's local and regional elections. The leftist
movement's leader, Pablo Iglesias, said the result spelt the end of
traditional politics in Spain, which has been dominated by two
parties. Podemos-backed candidates in Barcelona and Madrid both fared
strongly. The PP suffered heavy losses, amid voter discontent over
economic policy.”
“With
the count almost completed, the party of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy
won the most votes nationwide - 27%. Its traditional rival, the
Socialists (PSOE), came second. But the two parties fell short of
overall majorities in many areas that they have governed, losing
ground to Podemos and to the party Ciudadanos, which campaigned on a
pro-business platform.”
“Mr
Iglesias said the PP and PSOE 'have had one of the worst results in
their χιστόρυ'. [...] Anti-eviction activist Ada Colau, who is
supported by Podemos, won the most votes in the mayoral race for
Barcelona, Spain's second largest city.”
“As
expected, in the wake of the economic crisis and high-profile
corruption scandals which have tarnished the reputation of the
traditional political parties in Spain, the country has now entered a
new political era. Anti-austerity parties, linked to the Podemos
movement on the far left, which is barely one year old, have the
prestige of holding power in Barcelona, and could form a coalition to
rule in the Spanish capital.”
“Barcelona
in itself is an incredible story. The new mayor will be Ada Colau, a
woman who made her name by campaigning for people who couldn't pay
their mortgages, and who faced eviction by the banks after Spain's
construction bubble burst.”
“The PP
suffered heavy losses in its stronghold, Madrid. It may lose control
of the city council if the Podemos-backed candidate, who came a close
second in the city, can form a coalition with PSOE, which came third
there. Analysts say that similar deals could take place in a number
of councils such as Valencia, further eroding the local power of the
PP.”
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