Spain's Socialists Reach Coalition Deal with Far-Left

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Facts

  • A day after Socialist Party leader and Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez met far-left Sumar party chief and acting Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz, the two parties announced they had reached a 'governing deal for a four-year legislative term' on Tuesday.1
  • In a joint statement, the partners said their coalition government will focus on improving Spain through 'quality employment, developing policies based on social and climate justice while broadening rights, feminist conquests, and freedoms.'1
  • The agreement includes commitment to the implementation of policies to expand a windfall tax for banks and energy firms, as well as reducing the official work week to 37.5 hours from the current 40 without any reduction in pay.2
  • Spain's conservative People's Party had narrowly beaten Sanchez's Socialist Party in July's inconclusive national election, but failed to create a majority coalition to form a new government.3
  • While this deal is a key step towards reinstating Sanchez for another term, he still doesn't have the necessary support to pass a confidence vote in the lower house of parliament.4
  • Sanchez needs the backing of regional parties, including Catalan separatists JxCat and ERC. He has until Nov. 27 to secure a majority, or Spain will hold new elections on Jan. 14, 2024.4

Sources: 1Al Jazeera, 2Reuters, 3The Guardian and 4France 24.

Narratives

  • Left narrative, as provided by Jacobin. Spain's left is taking the necessary steps to form a strong government and prevent the far-right from taking over the country. The Socialist Party was on its deathbed following July's election, but has seen a resurgence after the People's Party couldn't form a majority. With the help of the progressive Sumar party, Sanchez's Socialists can retake power and remake the state's democratic institutions.
  • Right narrative, as provided by European Conservative. Spain's acting government is trying to cling onto power by pledging to completely transform the country's laws and undermine Spanish sovereignty. The Socialists care about nothing except their own power and are willing to bend the knee to traitors and secessionists to get votes. Sanchez should think about more than himself when trying to form a government.

Predictions