The Azul Tide...Stopped(A Spanish Election Thread)

[Shrillland]

On Sunday, May 28, Spain had their own regional elections for the legislatures of most of Spain's Autonomous Communities as well as the Council of Ceuta and Melilla. It was a massive loss for the centre-left PSOE of Government President(Although Prime Minister is colloquially used, the more common term in Spain is President of the Government) Pedro Sanchez, with his party losing all but three communities(Asturias, the Canaries, and Castilla-La Mancha) and the PP and Vox taking up most of the balance. The further left Podemos also saw significant losses to the right. It's such a bad result that Sanchez decided to call a semi-early vote for the Cortes on Sunday, July 23.

PSOE"s had a hard few years with the pandemic, the global rise in inflation and the energy crisis, both resulting from the War in Ukraine. In the meantime, a new party on the Spanish Left has appeared, Labour Minister and Second Deputy President Yolanda Diaz's progressive and green Sumar, led by Mais Pas, the United Left(including Podemos), and Spain's two green parties. Meanwhile, a 2022 electoral law made it easier for expats to vote in national elections. Polls currently show PP getting about 130 seats, so they'll need a coalition. The question is will they work with Vox? Will they try their luck with the Community parties? Only time will tell.

Here's how it'll go down. Both Houses of the Cortes will be voted on. First, the Chamber has 350 members, 348 chosen by D'Hondt closed-list PR with a 3% threshold in 50 multi-member constituencies, and 2 chosen by FPTP for Ceuta and Melilla. The Senate has 266 members, 208 chosen by open-list block vote. The remaining 58 are appointed by the Autonomous Communities themselves with one appointed member per one million people. The Chamber is where the Government will be determined.

Now to meet the most likely parties(national and communal) going into the Chamber:

People's Party(PP) led by Alberto Núñez Feijóo: Centre-right to Right, Christian Democratic, Pro-Europe, Liberal Conservative

Socialist Workers Party(PSOE) led by Current Government President Pedro Sanchez: Centre-left, Social Democratic, Pro-Europe

Vox led by Santiago Abascal: Far Right, Catholic, Centralist, National Conservative, Soft Eurosceptic, Economic Liberal, Ultranationalist

Sumar(Unite) led by Yolanda Diaz: Left Wing, Progressive, Feminist, Left Populist, Pro-Europe, Green Policy, Anti-Neoliberal

Republican Left of Catalonia-Sovereigntists(ERC-Sobiranistes) led by Oriol Junqueras: Left Wing, Catalan Independence, Republican, Social Democracy, Democratic Socialist

Junts Per Catalunya led by Laura Borras: Catch All, Catalan Independence, Populist, Direct Democracy

Basque Nationalist Party(PNV) led by Andoni Ortozar: Centre, Basque Nationalist, Conservative Liberal, Social Democratic, Christian Democratic

Basque Country Unite(EH Bildu) led by Arnaldo Otegi: Left Wing, Basque Independence, Socialist, Abertzale(Basque Left)

And of course, there are other regional parties to choose from.

Choose your horse, NSG! Who do you want? This time, I'm going with Sumar even though I know the most likely outcome will be a PP-Vox Government.

[The Union of Galaxies]

Man, I wish life did let me have Spanish citizenship (story for another day). Past stories apart, I don't know much about politics. But if I had to choose, I'd vote for Más País.

[Vivolkha]

Ah shit, here we go again.

My main problem with this election (outside the horrendous timing) is immense distrust in basically all major political parties involved. I've long stopped believing in Catalan independence, so regional parties are out. Meanwhile, the PP is infamous for being the face of corruption in the country.

But damn this left-wing government has been a disaster. And the main reason why, in my opinion, is the prevalence of ideology above pragmatism and common sense. Case in point, the disastrous new law on sexual assault, which they touted as "putting a woman's consent first" when all it did is lower punishments for sex offenses - which, under Spanish law, applies retroactively. Congratulations!

COVID relief funds? Sure, let's allocate them to pensions and renovating public buildings, not to the economy where they are desperately needed. Foreign policy? Essentially being intimidated by Morocco of all countries to give them the Western Sahara (where Morocco is commiting genocide) in exchange for absolutely nothing. Aid for Ukraine? Constantly gutted by interference of the extremist Podemos, which is blinded by their idealistic and foolish pacifism. Similarly, Podemos is trying to block a defense spending boost and promoted selling properties of the Ministry of Defense for social uses - exactly the opposite of what we need right now.

Oh, and how could we forget Podemos's obsession with the intelligence community and the judiciary being against them? They promoted conspiracy theories, weakened the CNI, and repeatedly tried to undermine public trust in the judiciary to feed their persecutory delusions.

On top of all that, in a pathetic attempt to win back voters during local elections, they threw public money down the drain in suspiciously timed and highly populist social programs, when 1. Spain's welfare system is horribly mismanaged, and 2. Spain has a very high debt burden because of constant excessive public spending, which of course the left boosted further.

And they continue further down this line too. The campaign for PSOE and Podemos can be summed up as "try not to say progressive in your political speeches challenge (IMPOSSIBLE)". I couldn't care any less about your progressism. It seems like they are trying to win an election by proving the superiority of their ideology instead of their capacity for governance.

[Shrillland]

PP and Vox are now going after Germany over Andalusian strawberries

[Vivolkha]

PP and Vox are now going after Germany over Andalusian strawberries

Yikes. With the left's reputation ruined for me, now the right is trying to follow down their very same path and alienate my vote.

To be fair, it's probably the politically smart move considering the context of the elections, but still in the greater scope of things regularizing these illegal berry fields is a grave mistake.

[Shrillland]

In both municipal and communal governments where Vox has become a part, Equality Departments have either been disbanded or reorganised as Departments of the Family

Abascal has rejected the use of the term gender violence as an ideological concept

Meanwhile, PP announces they'll maintain a current tax on banks until a 2024 review

[Dresderstan]

Feijóo plans to reverse the government's planned decommishioning and extend the life of Spanish nuclear power plants if elected

[Shrillland]

Feijóo plans to reverse the government's planned decommishioning and extend the life of Spanish nuclear power plants if elected

For once, I must agree. At least in the short term, Spain, and other nations, will need nukes to offset carbon.

[Dresderstan]

Alberto Núñez Feijóo vows to overhaul windfall tax

[Shrillland]

Alberto Núñez Feijóo vows to overhaul windfall tax

Sorry, could you share the story please? Financial Times is a bit expensive...

[Dresderstan]

Alberto Núñez Feijóo vows to overhaul windfall tax

Sorry, could you share the story please? Financial Times is a bit expensive...

The conservative frontrunner to be Spain’s next prime minister has vowed to overhaul a €3bn windfall tax reviled by banks and energy companies, saying he wanted to make it legally watertight but offering no commitment to repeal it.

Alberto Núñez Feijóo, who is leading Socialist incumbent Pedro Sánchez in the polls ahead of this month’s general election, told the Financial Times that the levy was “badly designed” and needed to be amended. But his pledge to reform it is likely to disappoint businesses that hoped he would scrap it entirely.

Feijóo, head of the People’s party, acknowledged that he would face the daunting task of bringing down Spain’s massive public debt burden if he wins the election on July 23, putting him under pressure to reduce the cost of government and generate additional tax revenues.

Sánchez introduced the windfall tax to divert “extraordinary” profits from business into government initiatives to combat the cost of living crisis. But it has been scorned by leading companies such as Santander, the bank, and power group Iberdrola, which are challenging it in the courts.

“We have to adjust the legal risk we’re incurring,” Feijóo said, arguing that the levy was highly vulnerable to court challenges because it applied, unusually, to revenues as opposed to profits. “This is not the right model.”

He pledged to “talk to the electricity companies and banks about how we can ask for their solidarity and contributions to overcome the deep public debt and deficit . . . before taking decisions”.

Sánchez himself has used the language of solidarity, saying businesses must do more to help citizens because banks are benefiting from rising interest rates and energy companies have profited from high gas prices.

While polls give Feijóo a clear lead, they also suggest the PP would fall short of an absolute majority in parliament and could only govern with the support of the hard-right Vox party.

Feijóo has consistently said he does not want to form a coalition with Vox, a populist party that challenges the idea of gender-based violence, dislikes multiculturalism and is sceptical about climate change. He said voters had to “make a decision about whether they want a strong government or, on the contrary, a coalition government with Vox”.

Yet the two parties have struck coalition deals at the local and regional level since elections in May. Some PP-Vox city governments have since stopped LGBT+ flags being flown from public buildings. Sánchez responded to a pact agreed in one region on Friday by saying “Spain goes backwards” when the pair govern together.

Whoever wins the election will have no choice but to tackle the country’s public finances. Enforcement of the EU’s Stability and Growth Pact resumes from next year after it was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, adding to the pressure for member states to curb borrowings.

Spain’s public debt is equal to 113 per cent of gross domestic product and its budget deficit last year was 4.8 per cent of GDP.

The country’s debt load jumped due to the economic costs of the pandemic, but Feijóo also accused Sánchez of allowing the public sector workforce to swell.

Pledging to avoid cuts to public services, Feijóo said he would boost tax revenues by making Spain one of the fastest-growing economies in the EU and lift employment — measured via the social security system — to 22mn from its current 20.9mn.

Spain’s economy grew 0.5 per cent in the first quarter and was not one of the eurozone’s top performers. Feijóo stressed that Spain was one of the last EU economies to return to its pre-pandemic size.

Asked how he would achieve his economic goals, the PP leader said he would pull in more foreign investment with “specific fiscal policies to make Spain an attractive country”, including tax incentives for people moving there. He would also look to consolidate Spain’s position as a renewable energy hub.

Feijóo has promised to cut income tax for those earning less than €40,000 a year — which is the majority of Spanish adults — saying doing so would boost economic growth too.

Sánchez is touting his own success in attracting foreign investment and encouraging the growth of renewables, as well as stressing how employment has increased sharply under his leadership. The prime minister has criticised Feijóo for waging a negative campaign of attacks against “Sanchismo” without offering a comprehensive plan for the country.

The Sánchez government has said the windfall tax would bring in €3bn this year. Feijóo acknowledged that sum would be useful, but said it would be even more valuable “if it were dedicated to lowering public debt, and not spent”.

[Minoa]

I assume Vox wants to go back to the days of Franco?

Seriously, the political polarisation has to stop, especially since the Internet Research Agency is in trouble due to their links with the leader of the Wagner Group.

[Shrillland]

I assume Vox wants to go back to the days of Franco?

Seriously, the political polarisation has to stop, especially since the Internet Research Agency is in trouble due to their links with the leader of the Wagner Group.

There are some Neo-Falangists among them, yes.

[Eternal Algerstonia]

i'm declaring my support for vox, i think its past time europe regains its tradition of strong leadership to stop the spread of degeneration and the red banner within politics. there was once a time within europe where all nations were ruled by divinely appointed monarchs with god's blessings, and that was the golden age of europe. there were no atheists, communists, globalists, heathens, heretics, liberals, or americans! it is time europeans look to the past and look to god as an inspiration. i support vox under the assumption that they launch a full monarchist and neoreactionary era for spain, and they eventually build the forces to destroy israel and saudi arabia, to reclaim the holy lands

[Shrillland]

The sun is shining, the bulls are running, and party manifestoes are now out as campaign period officially begins.

If you want a general idea, the link in the middle's the best bet.

[Minoa]

Liberal voters should vote PSOE or a regional party of similar alignment
Conservative voters should vote PP or a regional party of similar alignment

The point is that we cannot let US political polarisation spillover into other countries any more.

[Greater Miami Shores 3]

I assume Vox wants to go back to the days of Franco?

Seriously, the political polarisation has to stop, especially since the Internet Research Agency is in trouble due to their links with the leader of the Wagner Group.

Vox is not a Fascist Nazi Dictatorship Party, they are not going to declare España La Madre Patria The Fourth Reich. It is leftist Propaganda from the Leftist Fake News Media. Vox strongly supports a western style, multi political parties, capitalist $ Cuba and España La Madre Patria. Viva España La Madre Patria. We need a necessary coalition government of Vox and the Conservative Peoples Party of España La Madre Patria against the Leftists. Yes, the political polarisation of the Leftist Fake News Media in España La Madre Patria and the international Leftist Fake News Media needs to stop.

[Minoa]

I assume Vox wants to go back to the days of Franco?

Seriously, the political polarisation has to stop, especially since the Internet Research Agency is in trouble due to their links with the leader of the Wagner Group.

Vox is not a Fascist Nazi Dictatorship Party, they are not going to declare España La Madre Patria The Fourth Reich. It is leftist Propaganda from the Leftist Fake News Media. Vox strongly supports a western style, multi political parties, capitalist $ Cuba and España La Madre Patria. Viva España La Madre Patria. We need a necessary coalition government of Vox and the Conservative Peoples Party of España La Madre Patria against the Leftists. Yes, the political polarisation of the Leftist Fake News Media in España La Madre Patria and the international Leftist Fake News Media needs to stop.

The same arguments that led to people storming parliaments in an attack against democracy. Conservatism itself is not a bad thing, but attacks on the rule of law and civil liberties are.

[Greater Miami Shores 3]

Vox is not a Fascist Nazi Dictatorship Party, they are not going to declare España La Madre Patria The Fourth Reich. It is leftist Propaganda from the Leftist Fake News Media. Vox strongly supports a western style, multi political parties, capitalist $ Cuba and España La Madre Patria. Viva España La Madre Patria. We need a necessary coalition government of Vox and the Conservative Peoples Party of España La Madre Patria against the Leftists. Yes, the political polarisation of the Leftist Fake News Media in España La Madre Patria and the international Leftist Fake News Media needs to stop.

The same arguments that led to people storming parliaments in an attack against democracy. Conservatism itself is not a bad thing, but attacks on the rule of law and civil liberties are.

I think you are referring too to the democratic protest which is an American democratic right to do so, that turned into a violent riot in the USA related to the 2020 elections, which I have strongly condemned many times, but it is irrelevant to the subject of this thread, so I here by answer your question and drop it. If you wish to do so, post it again on the US Politics thread and I will quote you on it, but I will have to repeat myself again, like the broken record I am, lol because their is no better way of saying it. Please reread my most above in context without taking it out of context again by accident.

[Shrillland]

Spain is not the US, and Spain effectively did repudiate the actions of 23-F.

[Greater Miami Shores 3]

Spain is not the US, and Spain effectively did repudiate the actions of 23-F.

But what happened in the USA is not related to what happened in España La Madre Patria, as I have explained in details many times, so it is again irrelevant to the elections subject of this thread, please post it as a separate issue on the US Politics thread, and I will answer you there in details again.

[Shrillland]

Spain is not the US, and Spain effectively did repudiate the actions of 23-F.

But what happened in the USA is not related to what happened in España La Madre Patria, as I have explained in details many times, so it is again irrelevant to the elections subject of this thread, please post it as a separate issue on the US Politics thread, and I will answer you there in details again.

23-F was the 1982 Spanish coup attempt by Falangist Remnants on February 23, hence 23-F. I was referring to things that happened in Spain.

In any event, Vox is set to lose roughly 15 seats according to the latest poll figures.

[Greater Miami Shores 3]

But what happened in the USA is not related to what happened in España La Madre Patria, as I have explained in details many times, so it is again irrelevant to the elections subject of this thread, please post it as a separate issue on the US Politics thread, and I will answer you there in details again.

23-F was the 1982 Spanish coup attempt by Falangist Remnants on February 23, hence 23-F. I was referring to things that happened in Spain.

In any event, Vox is set to lose roughly 15 seats according to the latest poll figures.

GMS: My apologies, I misread your post, by misreading your comment, Spain is not the USA. I take your word on the credible poll links you found online. What I am interested in is a necessary coalition government of the Conservative People's Party and the right wing Vox Party against the leftist parties in España La Madre Patria, as they govern in coalition in Spanish regions. According to this Poll provided by Reuters: MADRID, July 9 (Reuters) - Two weeks ahead of Spain's election, the conservative People's Party (PP) opened up its lead over the ruling Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) but would still need the help of the far-right Vox party to govern, according to an opinion poll published by a newspaper on Sunday.

A poll carried out by Ipsos for La Vanguardia newspaper between July 3 and July 6 interviewed 2,000 people and showed the opposition PP with 35% of the votes and the PSOE on 28%. The far-left Sumar party would win 13%, just ahead of Vox with 12.6%, the poll found ahead of the election on July 23.

Voting forecasts would give the PP between 138 and 147 seats in the 350-member lower house, with the PSOE winning between 102 and 112 seats.

Vox - the PP's most likely coalition ally - would win between 32 and 39 seats. Sumar was forecast to win between 31 and 39 seats.

If the results of the poll are correct, it means that a right-wing coalition of the PP and Vox would together win up to 180 seats, enough for an absolute majority.

Link Provided by Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/sp ... 023-07-09/

[Omnicontrol]

Spaniard here. If you want a government that sends every single immigrant back home, lowers the minimum salary more than it already is (a measly 1k/month), and sets women's rights 20 years behind, go ahead. Cash in the green vote.

If you want a normal government that actually gives at least half a fuck, good luck.

[Kvatchdom]

23-F was the 1982 Spanish coup attempt by Falangist Remnants on February 23, hence 23-F. I was referring to things that happened in Spain.

In any event, Vox is set to lose roughly 15 seats according to the latest poll figures.

GMS: My apologies, I misread your post, by misreading your comment, Spain is not the USA. I take your word on the credible poll links you found online. What I am interested in is a necessary coalition government of the Conservative People's Party and the right wing Vox Party against the leftist parties in España La Madre Patria, as they govern in coalition in Spanish regions. According to this Poll provided by Reuters: MADRID, July 9 (Reuters) - Two weeks ahead of Spain's election, the conservative People's Party (PP) opened up its lead over the ruling Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) but would still need the help of the far-right Vox party to govern, according to an opinion poll published by a newspaper on Sunday.

A poll carried out by Ipsos for La Vanguardia newspaper between July 3 and July 6 interviewed 2,000 people and showed the opposition PP with 35% of the votes and the PSOE on 28%. The far-left Sumar party would win 13%, just ahead of Vox with 12.6%, the poll found ahead of the election on July 23.

Voting forecasts would give the PP between 138 and 147 seats in the 350-member lower house, with the PSOE winning between 102 and 112 seats.

Vox - the PP's most likely coalition ally - would win between 32 and 39 seats. Sumar was forecast to win between 31 and 39 seats.

If the results of the poll are correct, it means that a right-wing coalition of the PP and Vox would together win up to 180 seats, enough for an absolute majority.

Link Provided by Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/sp ... 023-07-09/

Partido Popular aligning hard with Vox post-election might drive away some of the Cs voters PP just started gaining back. PP voters are far less likely than PSOE and the left to feel uncomfortable with Franco glorifiers, but some might still budge and get scared of the coalition.
When Cs started aligning with Vox in Andalusia to oppose PSOE many of my family there became politically more active on the left.

But yes, the future of Spain seems grim and uncaring.