Politics in Spain can appear somewhat baffling and therefore is a subject often ignored by most foreigners in Spain.  However, some understanding is worthwhile – if for no better reason than that it makes life in Spain more interesting and the modern culture of Spain a little more comprehensible.

Of course, Spain is geographically huge and has 17 autonomous regions and two autonomous cities (Ceuta and Melilla).  This has resulted in many political parties, some of which are very area specific.  However, politics in Spain is basically dominated by two major parties: the Partido Popular (PP) and the Partido Socialista Obrero Español (PSOE).

Very crudely, the PP is similar to the Conservative party in the UK and the Republican party in the US, in being to the right of the political spectrum.  By contrast the PSOE party mimics the Labour party in the UK and the Democrats in the US.  However, the truth is that both parties are far from extreme and, like most of the developed world, tend to squabble over the centre ground of politics.  This can make any detailed differences between them quite difficult to isolate.

Nonetheless, the perception is that the PP is traditionalist and prides itself upon a business-like approach to political issues and sound economic management.  By comparison the PSOE is strong on social issues (and the spending to support these) supported by the Unions and is less sympathetic to the private sector and business.  Doubtless, both sides would argue against this analysis but it is broadly correct.

Obviously, the current national government is PSOE and is run by Presidente (Prime Minister) José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, who has led the PSOE to victory over the past two general elections in Spain.  Meanwhile, the head of the opposition is Mariano Rajoy Brey of the PP.

The next national general elections in Spain are due to be held in March 2012 – although general elections in Spain can be held earlier than the normal four year period.

However, on the 22^nd May 2011 local elections in Spain will be held for the municipalities and for 13 of the 17 autonomous regions.  These are worth looking at more closely for an insight into how politics in Spain works – and possibly as to what will happen next year at the national general elections in Spain.

For example, in my local town of Gandia (pop. approx. 80,000) in Valencia Province, the PSOE party is currently in control of the town – as it has been for something like the last 28 years!  The Mayor is Jose Manuel Orengo whose socialist administration has been supported by a curious local party called the Plataforma, which (amazingly) is a splinter group of the (Conservative) PP party.

In Gandia there are some 25,000 people eligible to vote with 25 council seats available.  Each of these seats (obviously) has, more or less, a thousand voters with the main parties competing for these seats the PSOE, PP, the BLOC and the Plataforma.  The BLOC is another odd regional party and, theoretically, campaigns for Catalan independence.

Four years ago, at the last elections in Gandia, the PSOE gained 12 seats and then did a deal with the Plataforma (2 seats) to gain a majority.  The BLOC gained 2 seats and the PP 9 seats although the latter were, understandably, beside themselves at the perceived treachery of the (Conservative) Plataforma party!

In fact, elections in Gandia have always been pretty close which makes the coming local elections potentially very interesting – particularly given two relatively new issues (which will probably be mirrored across much of Spain).

The first (and most important) issue for any elections in Spain revolves around the current appalling economic situation (unemployment in Spain is in excess of 20%).  Accordingly, all the political parties in Spain are maintaining that they have the answer to this and that they can ease the problems and create employment and a return to wealth.  On this issue the ruling PSOE (socialist) parties may have some difficulty if they have been in power, on a local level, over the past four years – as they may be seen to have ‘caused’ the problems.

The second issue relates to immigrants and the changing culture of Spain.  Some 20% of Gandia’s population, for example, is now (after only some 8 years) comprised of immigrants.  Most of these are not ‘wealthy’ North Europeans and have newly come from Eastern Europe, Latin America and Africa and the chances are that they are likely to support a high spending socialist party rather than a right wing party.  So, all of a sudden, a non-native Spanish population may well significantly effect the outcome of the elections.

Of course, local politics in Spain are also dominated by local issues.  So, in Gandia for example, the ruling PSOE party is proposing a new tram system to be implemented between Gandia town and the beach at a staggering cost of some 12 million Euros (running cost approx. 4 million Euros per year).  This is causing some controversy – not least because the town hall is, like so many in Spain, effectively bankrupt.

Certainly, one of the truly astonishing things about many municipalities is their parlous state – despite having enjoyed the longest and biggest economic boom known to Spain from 2000 – 2007.  This probably indicates a high level of financial ineptitude, to put it mildly, and the neccessity of soon-to-be-imposed, unavoidable economies and severe cuts, despite any politician’s assertions to the contrary.

Needless to say, the stakes for local elections in Spain are high for all concerned given the power gained by an elected local government.  The Mayor in Gandia will also find himself earning something like 6,000 Euros a month (a terrific salary in Spain) and his councillors some 3,000 Euros a month (a significant salary).

Meanwhile, the Mayor has the right to appoint all the heads of department of the town hall – the tourism department, rubbish collection department, roads department etc. thus making his benificence extremely important.  Indeed, curently anyone in one of these appointments must be deeply concerned by the results of the forthcoming election.  Should there be a change of local government then they will almost certainly lose their job and be replaced.

So, what will happen during the local elections in Spain in Gandia ?

Of course, I have no idea!  However, it would be hard not to argue that a change in government is overdue given that the same party (the PSOE) has been in power for so long.

The PSOE have certainly developed Gandia very well over the past few years and transformed it into a wonderfully fresh and pretty place to live.  However, I suspect, that they have also overspent wildly and not really concentrated upon well thought out regenerative programs that will provide long term wealth and jobs for the population.  A period of retrenchment and tightly controlled business efficiency is therefore probably now overdue – and may be possible under the PP leader (Arturo Torró) a notably successful private businessman.

However, whatever happens, it will be interesting to see the results of the elections in Gandia and how they compare across Spain.  Many of the issues in Gandia are common to other areas and it will be fascinating to see how the population of Spain reacts – and what political parties in Spain they chose to be governed by for the next four years…

Nick Snelling - Culture Spain

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Elections in Spain