Last year, the socialist party (PSOE) leadership ousted Pedro Sánchez as its head when Sánchez refused to allow a minority government of Mariano Rajoy to form. Susana Díaz took over as party head.
Socialist party elections were held yesterday. Sánchez ran again as an outsider and shocked the POSE leadership winning an outright majority of votes in a three-way race. This was a clear smack in the face to the party leadership who backed Susana Díaz.
With Sánchez back at the helm in Parliament, Rajoy has little chance of getting his legislation passed. Rajoy now has his eye on calling snap elections.
The Guardian reports Spanish Socialists Re-Elect Pedro Sánchez to Lead Party.
Pedro Sánchez has regained the leadership of Spain’s bitterly divided socialist party seven months after being ousted in a coup that laid bare the faultlines within the PSOE and left its status as the main opposition party in jeopardy.
On Sunday night, Sánchez took 50% of the vote, sailing past his main rival, Susana Díaz, the president of the PSOE stronghold of Andalusia, who took 40%. The former Basque president Patxi López finished third with 10%.
The PSOE has been in the hands of a caretaker administration since October, when Sánchez stepped down after powerful factions within the party rebelled against his refusal to allow Mariano Rajoy’s conservative People’s party (PP) to form a government.
Following his resignation, the PSOE abstained from Rajoy’s investiture debate, returning the PP to office and ending the 10-month political stalemate that had left Spain without a government after two inconclusive general elections.
Díaz, who was backed by party heavyweights including former PSOE prime ministers Felipe Gónzalez and José Luis Zapatero, had called for a more pragmatic approach to dealing with the PP.
Snap Elections
Eurointelligence fills in the remaining pieces of the story with commentary on snap elections.
The party will now hold its congress over the weekend of June 18 to renew its executive committee and approve its political platform. The danger for the PSOE is that the party may emerge from the congress divided, or that MPs and regional premiers will actively undermine Sánchez’ leadership.
Sánchez, who was never particularly to the left of the PSOE, rode a wave of members’ discontent about the party’s decision to abstain last October to allow Rajoy to form a government, thus avoiding a third round of elections which would have fallen on Christmas Day. Rajoy has indicated that, if the 2017 budget does not pass the parliament next month, he would call early elections.
Spain is likely headed for a third presidential election, but it’s unclear if the results will be any different than the previous two elections that resulted in blocked governments with no party being able to form a coalition.
The problem with dissolving parliament now is the crisis in Catalonia. The region has threatened to declare independence immediately if the Spanish government does not allow a referendum.
Mike “Mish” Shedlock
Parliamentary elections.
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Rajoy:
“I will not dissolve the Chamber. With the PSOE for me does not change anything ».
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Worked so far for Rajoy , saying eq. to “Nothing happens until I say so” … but he will be tested and accused of not allowing anything to happen.
One other facet to it all is the judiciary circling closer to Rajoy himself over the ongoing corruption scandals.
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Yawn. Wake me up when EU disintegrates.
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Why doesn’t Seth Rich’s family want his murder in be investigated?
Very curious.
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Godfather II – what Michael did during the Senate Committee testimony.
All you need to know to run a crime organization can be found in I & II.
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My English neighbors here in the village sold their place in Spain, made a nice profit. They were telling that every time they turned around the government was finding new fees and taxes to levy, so they got tried of living in Spain and are not back in France. Not that France doesn’t have its hand out a lot, but not quite so much as Spain. Quite a few English retirees live in Spain and even more have their winter villas or houses there. the government policies are starting to push the English and the few Americans out. Spain had it better under Franco.
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I recommend you research more and talk to your neighbor less:
“The number of tourist arrivals in Spain went up 6.1 percent year-on-year to 4.908 million in March 2017. Tourists came mostly from the United Kingdom (1.120 million, up 5.8 percent from the previous year), followed by Germany (721.8 thousand, down 2.1 percent), France (613.6 thousand, up 11.6 percent), Italy (262.9 thousand, up 5.8 percent), the Netherlands (198.3 thousand, up 13.2 percent) and the United States (192.9 thousand, up 46.1 percent). Canarias was the main destination (26.2 percent of total arrivals), followed by Cataluña (23.5 percent) and Andalucía (14.7 percent). In the first quarter of the year, the number of tourist arrivals rose 9.3 percent from the same period of 2016 to 12.930 million. Tourist Arrivals in Spain averaged 4421.76 Thousand from 1995 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 10104.27 Thousand in August of 2016 and a record low of 1397.41 Thousand in January of 1995.”
BTW Brexit will be economically negative for UK but I know here that is not a popular opinion.
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That was “talk less”
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British residents have been leaving for many years now, that is to say total number decreasing. Tourists come and go, one year you have many, the next year none, ask Egypt. Only residents invest large amounts of time, energy and wealth – if you mess up your relationship with them they will hold it against you indefinitely, and will warn others continuously. Spain has its priorities backwards, unless it is simply opportunistic of course… it is always to blame the guiris, as they are not there to argue but will simply leave if they feel that it is not a fair arrangement. As Spain wants.
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Have a very reliable (Spanish) source that educated me on corruption they encountered trying to buy and sell properties. Might be a poor economy leads to more of that but “friction” certainly apparent in financial transactions.
Not good.
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2 reasons for the tourist increase.
1) Turkey down massively – people staying away.
2) Tunisia and North Africa – people staying away.
Both are fact.
Brexit will be economically painful for UK but also for Orange farmers in Spain (16% price adder to defend Spanish Orange Growers with tariff), Spanish tourism and new winter fuel allowance cuts will hit British x-pat in Spain. If they are not in the UK they don’t get the money.
Was in Madrid all last week on business. Good roads decent people. Great shame about the number of Spanish hookers. I was told there were many but didn’t believe it. It was true. Not eastern European but young Spanish. A terrible shame.
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Roughly half of the British that have left is due to economy – weaker pound, local economy stagnant etc. The other half is because of attitudes – hostility, bureaucracy, getting ripped off, social mood , and so on.
Probably the most blatant official move against foreign residents was obliging all to declare global assets for tax purposes.
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You have to live there to understand the sheer discrepancy, the Spanish have to put up with their own versions of it – but it is their country to make or lose, not ours. A foreigner has to accept that, no matter how much it runs against his good intent, wish to contribute, or understanding of what is fair.
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tourist are one thing, individuals and couples who own real estate, meaning homes of some kind, are another. When you are a tourist you never see the hand in your pocket. When you are a resident you see it all the time. Don’t talk to me about tourist, they will pay the going rate without question or they wouldn’t be going there.
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Strictly, not presidential elections for any elections would be parliamentary with the winning side appointing a prime minister.
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Spain is a nation of primitives who have bred beyond the carrying capacity of the land. They desperately seek to steal from intelligent people who limit procreation, work, save, and invest in wealth creation.
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Don’t make laugh. Agricultural production is sufficient to feed itself and export. Same for all types of meat and foodstuff. So the population has not grown beyond “the land carrying capacity” . As for “breading” Spain actually has a negative population growth. It has been around 1.5 1987. So Mr ignorant you are entitle to your opinion but be prepared to be shut down with something we called FACTS.
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Population of Spain (2017 and historical)
Year Population Yearly % Change
2017 46,070,146 0.01 %
2016 46,064,604 -0.12 %
2015 46,121,699 -0.21 %
2010 46,601,492 1.22 %
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One strange thing I liked. The mix of cars. They are not joined at the hip to the Germans or French makes. I think that is a healthy sign.
Saw lots of Hyundai, Japanese etc.
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That doesn’t allow for those leaving to find work, usually young and educated. I have dealings with a number of them.
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It depends on what industry. If you are SW engineer they will fight for you and pay you really well even for US standards. If you went to school and got a degree lets say in history, arts, and that kind of thing be prepared to be unemployed. Just like in the US for the most part. Also, be aware that the Spaniards (from Franco’s days) all want a government job (central or province it does not matter). To get one of those you do something called “oposiciones”. basically like an entrance exam. They don’t pay well, however, job security is pretty much guaranty and hours are good. Like everything else you will find some of them to be lazy but others to be extremely hard working
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Totally disagree but they have terrible demographics and awful corruption.
Big sign in Madrid welcoming refugees. They need more headcount there.
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I agree in part. The sign in Madrid ayuntamiento is more of a political statement from Podemos. Spain, however, like any other “old” country has terrible demographics. But so do other EU countries. In Spain %20 are 65 or older. In the UK it is %17 so no much better. UK and Spain are among the top 25 countries with old people (22 and 21 on that list). The US is probably very close to that if you only count whites. Latins and others make the US look younger.
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Awesome, another failed socialist state in the making.
If Spain cannot afford to pay their own bills (already a major problem) — what are the odds they can contribute to the disaster in Brussels? (zero)
I don’t know if this vote changes the fiasco in Spain much, but its another nail in the EU’s coffin
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It was very busy in Madrid last week.
Roads, shops, hotels. Substantial activity.
Might just be pulling itself out of a funk.
Went to bull fight Wednesday, full to the brim, money changing hands ok.
I prefer to believe what I see and I was relatively impressed by the activity.
Not to say it’s easy there if there is a need to Street walk.
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And I commend you since you are one of the few here that actually has an opinion based on first hand knowledge. Most people who comment here probably have never been outside their home town. BTW I recommend Toledo (use the AVE and you will be there in less than 30 minutes) or a day trip to Seville (also AVE but longer distance)
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There are lots of Spains Carlos, but it does compare well in certain ways. City/big city neighbourhoods, outskirts and so on, well you know there is a lot of poverty also.
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I will be going when get chance.Valencia on list.
Have had dealings in Barcelona, OK but nothing special there. Did the city on a hire bike on a day free, enjoyed that especially around the area updated for the Olympics. Decent restaurants. Forget the names, was 7 years ago.
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@Fish == “It was very busy in Madrid last week. Roads, shops, hotels. Substantial activity.”
Its very busy in Venezeula too, but socialism always and everywhere leads to poverty and suffering. Its been tried in lots of countries, lots of cultures, lots of different time periods and economic climates.
But sooner or later all socialists run out of other people’s money and fail.
Spain will not be different
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Venezuela has actually had some leftist spanish economists advising Maduro and Chavez before him and this has contributed to the current collapse of Venezuela.
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The majority of spanish are economically illiterate and believe government to be all powerful and want to work for government.
The spanish media is mostly mind numbingly simplifying just like in USA.
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Government is a good place to work when they have their own currency to control their destiny but after Spain joined as a slave on the euro-plantation run by Germany they gave up a chance to determine their own destiny.
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Have to say it is also a shame Spain needs the EU but to their credit they often ignore them.
They reckon the Brexit it to Spain will be 1Bn Euro. I suspect everyone is underestimating the hit to all concerned. Many of the x-pat are retirees and they will get a fiscal shock after the Autumn Budget – they will be hit as spending is focused on less fortunate at home.
1) Retiree spending in Spain will be hit. Quite a decent value p.a.
2) Tourism if the Euro strengthens vs GBP and/or Turkey/Tunisia recover.
3) Massive agricultural hit through displacement.
4) Possible 200 mile UK fishing limit reinstated, fishing industry hit.
5) Reduced employment in Gibraltar – Gib will suffer but Spanish workers more so. This is old but still true today – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17635879
1Bn euro is too low.
Gib is looking at various new pivots to reduce EU dependency and straw poll says they still want to remain British even though voted to remain in EU.
Spain will need to keep pumping money leading to stress with other Eurozone members just as EU revenue falls and Military spending increases will be needed for NATO and/or the EU army.
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Gibraltar tax rates were increased to 10% on all business around 2011. They were previously 0% on companies based there but doing business elsewhere. They increased to 10% to appease the EU.
Expect them to go back down again to attract business and UK doing likewise to help cushion Brexit hit.
Word is the Gov will do whatever it has to to maintain employment and will have no obligation to follow EU post Brexit especially if the break is acrimonious.
Some businesses already making enquiries.
Meanwhile the EU is on a global super power push according to statements at last week’s World Economic Forum. They want to be a superpower in all areas.
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