SPAIN: The First Coalition Government of the Spanish Modern Democracy

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Beatriz Lasheras Mas

Former Political Analyst, Spanish and Environmental Affairs at The New Global Order

Beatriz is a Spanish journalist obsessed with analysing the facts. “Knowing what is happening is not enough for me, I like to find out the reasons why. In three words, I consider myself passionate, curious and ambitious.”

Latest posts by Beatriz Lasheras Mas (see all)

• On the Brink of Destruction - February 11, 2020
• Al Borde de la Autodestrucción - February 11, 2020
• SPAIN: The First Coalition Government of the Spanish Modern Democracy - January 12, 2020

By Beatriz Lasheras Mas

Clique aquí para leer el artículo en Español.

The beginning of the decade has brought a new Government in Spain: the first coalition Government of modern Spanish democracy.

On January 8, the Socialist Pedro Sánchez was approved as prime minister by the Spanish Parliament with 167 votes in favour, 165 against and 18 abstentions. The Spanish Socialist leader has renewed his leadership, this time at the polls, through a coalition agreement with Unidas Podemos. Spain has had before multiparty governments during the II Republic (1931-1936). But this is the first coalition since the death of the dictator Francisco Franco (November 20, 1975) and the restoration of democracy.

After two general elections in 2019, which won PSOE party (moderate left wing), and more than eight months of negotiations, the Socialists have been able to forge an agreement with Unidas Podemos (radical left wing) to create a progressive administration. The new Government promises to return Spain to the pre-crisis position with proposals such as raising gradually the minimum wage to 1,200 euros (currently at 900 euros), raising pensions and reforming the system to ensure its viability, repealing part of the labour reform (2012) by Partido Popular (moderate right wing), raising taxes to the highest incomes, regulating rental prices, or repealing ‘The Gag Law’ that limits freedom of expression, among others proposals.

This coalition Government will have to face really hard challenges. The first one will be to approve the economic budget of 2020. PSOE and Unidas Podemos all together do not have an absolute majority in the Parliament so they will need the support of another parties in order to carry out their proposals. Nowadays, we just can wait to see if the new government will be able to resolve the Spanish’s society issues and forge a solid governing body or if, on the contrary, the differences between both parties make the country’s governance impossible.

• Which are the main challenges of coalition governments?
• Do you think that PSOE and Unidas Podemos will be able to rule the country together during the full legislation (4 years)?

https://elpais.com/elpais/2020/01/08/inenglish/1578472420_142367.html