Spain has been living in a grey political space since April, when it went to the polls with no major winner, leaving the country without a functioning government. After months of negotiation and disagreement, the parliament has has finally voted in a new government, putting an end to the nearly four-month deadlock.
Socialist leader Pedro Sánchez was re-elected as prime minister with 166 votes in favor, putting a stop to what many have called Spain’s worst political crisis in decades.
The elections in April had concluded with the Socialists winning the popular vote but failing to gain an outright majority and failing to garner the necessary support of other parties to form a stable governing coalition. As a result, the Socialists had to form a semi-cohesive coalition featuring anti-austerity and far-left parties.
Essentially, the Socialists had to agree to some of the smaller parties’ demands in order to form the coalition and secure a majority in parliament. Prominent among these demands were raising the minimum wage, a fierce push for pro-environment policies and increased funding for social welfare programs.
The success of forming a government is being credited to Pedro Sánchez’s tactful negotiations with rival parties. In return for their votes, some of the smaller parties were given posts in the cabinet.
The election of the government marks the beginning of a new era in Spain’s political narrative. This government is the first of its kind in Spain since the post-Franco transition in the 1970s, with the Socialist and far-left parties coming together in a modern progressive coalition.
Although there remains a fair share of differences among the all the coalition partners, a functioning government is a significant step towards bringing Spain’s economy back on track.
With a congress now in place, Spaniards can hope to look forward to reform and progress in all spheres, especially in the face of the ongoing pandemic. It is hoped that the government will put the country back on track and pave way for a better-connected Spain.
