Joe Duggan (Reporter)
SPAIN’S main left-wing parties are close to seizing a combined parliamentary majority, three recent opinion polls show.
With just days until the country goes to the polls again, Unidos Podemos – an alliance between Podemos and the communist IU – and the PSOE appear close to winning 176 seats, which would bring them an absolute majority.
Unidos Podemos are on course to win between 24.6% and 26% of total votes, giving them from 84 to 95 seats, according to the polls from Metroscopia, Sigma Dos and GAD3.
Meanwhile, Pedro Sanchez’s PSOE could win between 78 and 85 seats (down from December’s total of 90).
The PP are on course to win the most votes once more, with Mariano Rajoy’s party projected to take between 113 and 129 seats.
An alliance between Unidos Podemos and the PSOE may still need backing from smaller parties in order to push it over the 176 mark.
But major stumbling blocks, such as Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias’s insistence on a referendum on Catalan independence, still stand in the way of a coalition with the PSOE.
Stark misrepresentation of the facts. It’s Podemos who are insisting on a Catalan referendum. It’s misleading to pretend that Pablo Iglesias is some sort of dictatorial “leader”.
No doubt a suitable compromise can be reached in order to swing the election. Catalan independence comes a far second in a much more important and urgent project.
Scary stuff. Am out of Spain for a few days, when I come back, this lot can potentially be in charge and we can be out of Europe. The end is nigh, we are all doomed.
The idea of a PSOE and Podemos national government doesn’t fill me with joy either. Remember, the PSOE led Junta de Andalucia are responsible for over 30 years of complete failure not to mention the so called illegal property situation and subsequent demolitions.
Neither of these parties will be able to deliver any of their election pledges anyway because they don’t have the fiscal freedom to do so as part of the Eurozone. They couldn’t agree on a coalition agreement last time so what has changed? Sounds like a dead duck to me.
What’s the alternative Jane? More Rajoy? We can only hope that Podemos and co. will rein in the worst excesses of the Phony Socialists in the PSOE. Compromise is essential, the military waits in the wings.
Stefanjo, let’s agree to disagree on this one. You like Podemos and I don’t. I think Spain needs a Greek Syriza-style party in government like a hole in the head and Podemos’ credibility evaporated as soon as they said “Venezuela is a model for Europe” – they really have got to be joking. They can’t deliver, they probably can’t agree a coalition deal with PSOE and even if they do, it probably won’t last – just like the previous PSOE/IU deal at the Junta de Andalucia.
My suggestion, a four way proportional coalition between the four main parties. That way, no one party can pull any diabolical strokes or do much damage – yes, this is a damage limitation exercise really. Spain needs small, non-meddling government and the best they can hope for is to bump along for the next few years without crashing the economy again.
Agree to disagree by all means Jane. Of course I’m in favour of a new left-wing deal, that’s obvious. But to put it politely, your scheme resembles four cats in a sack, rather than a coalition of sweet reason.
Nothing at all would ever get done, it would be total stalemate, SOMEONE needs to steer the ship, but for pity’s sake, NOT the Grey Bearded Wonder again! (Or anyone in a uniform)