Socialists create surprise by opposing the right

The right wing of Alberto Núñez Feijoo (People’s Party, PP) won the elections, but lost its race. Despite its 136 representatives, 47 more than in 2019, it cannot govern Spain. In any case, the PP-Majority did not trust Vox (far-right), six representatives short of an absolute majority of 176 seats between them. The biggest surprise was the falsification of almost all opinion polls, except for the results of one public institution, which systematically favored the Socialist Party (PSOE) and was far from the election results.

Second, the outgoing government leader, Socialist Pedro Sánchez (PSOE), won one of his most daring races: he defied all forecasts and prevented a right-wing and far-right majority from ousting him from Monclova Palace. “Regression module failed!“, he declared in front of his party headquarters as his supporters chanted.”No Basaran!», the anti-fascist slogan of the Civil War. With its 122 representatives, four years ago, it did not reach a majority, not because it added 31 members elected by Sumarin (far left) or relied on the addition of the same parties that voted for his investment in 2019 and supported his action.

The difference could be the party of former Catalan separatist president Carles Puigdemont, who has gone to live in Belgium to avoid action by Spanish courts. Junds gets seven reps. But this formation is founded on Sánchez’s formal opposition to all Spanish institutions, including the government, who pardoned his political comrades and reformed the penal code in their favor. Electoral roll leader said:We will not invest in Pedro Sánchez without compensation“. It’s always better than a definite “no”.

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“Right” to rule

Sunday evening was shaping up to be a rhythm of vote counting, with the left initially favoring it until it came down to the wire in this arithmetic deadlock scenario. In front of the PP headquarters, the sound system blared festive music, which contrasted with the apathy of the militants, well aware of the potential sterility of their victory even before the appearance of their leader.

These issues guided the choices voters faced at the polls. Victoria says she has always voted for the PSOE. This time again. “I could have voted for Sumer, but the risk of a government including the far right is too great“. On the contrary, Jose Luis voted for PP.”Left or right, I don’t care, I’m apoliticalsays 62-year-old Jose Luis. I want good managers. Socialists govern badly today, so I voted PP“. Asked about the possibility of an alliance with Vox, he replied “Not wanting extremes, but not absolute majority. The PP and PSOE agreeing would be ideal for me, but that looks like a bad start“.

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This is the only solution that allows his leader to convert his victory into a ticket to Monclova. Alberto Núñez Feijoo, from the balcony of his party headquarters, announced his intentions to his voters:I accept the responsibility of opening the dialogue to form a government in accordance with the will of the majority of Spaniards. I request the socialist party, the party that lost the election, not to block the country. All those who won the elections ruled the country. I have to try“.

The PP can claim its “right” to rule because it came first, and the constitution recognizes no guarantee other than receiving the investiture of half of the representatives. And Pedro Sánchez became the leader of his party by making himself known as the man of “no” to Mariano Rajoy, who won the election without a majority.

So Spain faces a new dilemma. Either the PP and PSOE come together as Feijoo says, or all parties outside the right and far-right support Sánchez, or a stalled Spain moves towards a referendum again.