Political Uncertainty Looms in Spain as Recent Elections Fail to Produce Clear Winner
The recent elections in Spain have left the political landscape in a state of uncertainty, with no clear winner emerging. The center-right Partido Popular (PP) is projected to come in first, winning 136 seats, but falls short of an absolute majority.[0] The far-right Vox party, a potential coalition partner for the PP, is expected to win 33 seats.[0] On the other side, the opposition conservative People's Party is also unlikely to secure an absolute majority and will likely have to rely on the support of Vox to form a government.[1]
With over 99% of the vote counted, it is a tight race between the conservatives and the Socialists.[2] For the first time, the PP has taken the lead, albeit by just one seat with 131 seats in the 350-seat parliament.[2] The PP's potential coalition partner, Vox, has seen a decrease in seats compared to the last election, winning only 33 seats.[0]
The situation is complicated further by the need for regional parties to form a majority. Neither the PP nor the Socialists have secured the necessary 176 seats to form a coalition government.[3] The PP and Vox's combined 169 seats are not enough, and the Socialists' potential coalition partners in the left-leaning Sumar alliance fall short as well.[4]
To complicate matters, the Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, would need to negotiate with a hardcore Catalan secessionist party that demands an independence referendum in exchange for support.[5] Another option would be for the PP leader, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, to abstain so that Sanchez can head a minority government.[5] However, neither of these scenarios is likely to happen.[5]
If no governing coalition can be formed and there is a hung parliament, Spain may have to hold new elections.[6] This prospect is undesirable for both parties as the country has already had five elections in the past eight years.
The far-right Vox party, despite losing seats in the recent election, remains a significant force in Spanish politics.[7] It has called for the reversal of progressive laws for women and LGBTQ+ rights.[6] Had Vox been able to garner more support, it could have formed a conservative coalition with the Popular Party, potentially leading to the most right-wing government since the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975.[6]
The political landscape in Spain is wide open, with potential coalition partners and regional parties holding the key to forming a government.[7] The left-wing bloc, led by the Socialists, has a better chance of forming a majority, but it remains uncertain.[8] Negotiations and horse-trading are expected to take place in the coming weeks as rival camps explore their options for government.
Overall, the recent elections in Spain have left the country in a state of political uncertainty. The lack of a clear winner and the need for coalition-building have complicated the process of forming a government. The role of the far-right Vox party and the demands of regional parties further complicate the situation. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the future of Spanish politics and whether new elections will be necessary.
0. “No clear victor in Spanish election as results defy predictions” CNN, 23 Jul. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/23/europe/spain-election-polls-results-intl/index.html
1. “Spain poised for shift to the right as polls open in snap election” The Guardian, 23 Jul. 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/23/spain-poised-for-shift-to-the-right-as-polls-open-in-snap-election
2. “Spanish elections: Popular Party wins tight election but no clear majority” BBC, 23 Jul. 2023, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-66278516
3. “Spain General Election 2023: Live Results” The New York Times, 23 Jul. 2023, https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/07/23/world/europe/results-spain-election.html
4. “Spain's election ends with no clear majority, turning focus to coalition talks” CNBC, 23 Jul. 2023, https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/23/spains-right-wing-parties-could-win-majority-exit-polls-show.html
5. “Who will govern Spain?” GZERO Media, 23 Jul. 2023, https://www.gzeromedia.com/who-will-govern-spain
6. “No clear winner in Spain's election” The Week, 24 Jul. 2023, https://theweek.com/spain/1025237/spains-election-no-party-has-enough-support-to-form-a-government
7. “In Spain, the left’s resistance thwarts a PP-Vox majority and leaves all possibilities open” EL PAÍS USA, 23 Jul. 2023, https://english.elpais.com/spain/2023-07-23/in-spain-the-lefts-resistance-thwarts-a-pp-vox-majority-and-leaves-all-possibilities-open.html
8. “Now what? National election leaves Spain in a labyrinth” EL PAÍS USA, 24 Jul. 2023, https://english.elpais.com/spain/2023-07-24/now-what-national-election-leaves-spain-in-a-labyrinth.html
