TITLE: Spain’s Conservative Party Poised to Lead Talks as Exit Polls Indicate Potential End to Socialist Rule
BARCELONA, SPAIN – In a historic election held on July 23, citizens of Spain flocked to the polls to exercise their right to vote and select the country’s next government. As exit polls are unveiled, early indications suggest that Spain’s conservative party, known as the Partido Popular (PP), is on track to lead negotiations and potentially bring an end to the socialist rule of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
According to initial exit polls published by RTVE, the PP has secured between 145 and 150 seats, while the incumbent socialist party, known as the Partido Socialista Obrero Español (PSOE), has obtained between 113 and 118 seats. Nevertheless, an absolute majority requires a minimum of 176 seats.
With neither of the two major parties boasting a clear majority, the focus now shifts to determining the third-largest political force arising from this election. While it remains uncertain if the far-right party Vox claimed the third or fourth position, they are neck-and-neck with the left-leaning Sumar party, as suggested by exit polls.
A significant question stemming from this election is whether PP will officially join forces with Vox, which could potentially mark the first time the far right returns to power since the 1975 dictatorship of Francisco Franco. The exit polls indicate that the right-wing bloc may have a working majority.
Although PP and Vox have previously formed alliances to govern in three of Spain’s regions, working together at the national level may prove more challenging. Members of Alberto Feijóo’s conservative party have expressed concern regarding Vox’s stance on several issues, including anti-LGBT rights, anti-immigration policies, opposition to abortion rights, and denial of climate change.
The snap election was triggered by PSOE’s significant defeat in the regional and municipal polls held in May, diverging from the originally scheduled general elections anticipated later this year.
Notably, this Sunday vote was the first to take place during the summer, and the extreme heat experienced in various parts of Spain leading up to the election may have highlighted climate policy concerns for voters.
Pedro Sanchez has held the position of Spain’s prime minister since 2018. Though he has faced criticism for pardoning politicians supporting regional independence and the loopholes surrounding the “only yes means yes” sexual consent law during his tenure, his economic record has proven strong leading up to the election. Spain’s economy boasted a growth rate of over 5% in 2022 and is projected to expand by approximately 1.5% this year, according to the International Monetary Fund.
Furthermore, Spain’s inflation rate remains one of the lowest in Europe. In June, it became the first economy across the region to report an inflation rate below 2%, following a decline from the record highs recorded in 2022, as indicated by the country’s economy ministry. Despite this, political experts believe that the cultural and societal matters took center stage in this Sunday’s vote.
As negotiations for the formation of a new Spanish government begin, the outcome of these discussions will shape the country’s political landscape and determine the course of governance for the foreseeable future.