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| 'We are in uncharted waters': readers react to the Spanish general election | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Despite the ruling People’s Party (PP) winning the most seats in Sunday’s election, Spain looks set to form a Socialist-led coalition as politicians from rival parties enter negotiations. | Despite the ruling People’s Party (PP) winning the most seats in Sunday’s election, Spain looks set to form a Socialist-led coalition as politicians from rival parties enter negotiations. |
| With the Socialists and anti-austerity party Podemos ruling out any chance of supporting PP, a centre-left government formed by the two seems increasingly likely. | With the Socialists and anti-austerity party Podemos ruling out any chance of supporting PP, a centre-left government formed by the two seems increasingly likely. |
| We asked you to share your thoughts on the result. From disappointment to hope for the future here are some of the responses. | We asked you to share your thoughts on the result. From disappointment to hope for the future here are some of the responses. |
| No one has the feeling of ‘We won the elections’ | No one has the feeling of ‘We won the elections’ |
| At least now there is a need to reach a consensus among very different ideologies and political trends | At least now there is a need to reach a consensus among very different ideologies and political trends |
| I voted for Podemos. The mood at the moment is difficult to explain. No one has the feeling of ‘We won the elections’. It seems that one of the main goals would be to try and oust Rajoy as prime minister (PM). | I voted for Podemos. The mood at the moment is difficult to explain. No one has the feeling of ‘We won the elections’. It seems that one of the main goals would be to try and oust Rajoy as prime minister (PM). |
| I think there are three possible options: 1. We will have new elections in three months because the parties were not able to agree to a stable coalition 2. Podemos, Partido Socialista Obrero Español (PSOE), Izquierda Unida (IU) and Ciudadanos wil create a government with Pedro Sanchez as PM. 3. PP wins with a minority and we end up with four difficult years ahead. | I think there are three possible options: 1. We will have new elections in three months because the parties were not able to agree to a stable coalition 2. Podemos, Partido Socialista Obrero Español (PSOE), Izquierda Unida (IU) and Ciudadanos wil create a government with Pedro Sanchez as PM. 3. PP wins with a minority and we end up with four difficult years ahead. |
| I hope Podemos will get more seats next time and that the younger generations will help to make this happen. Most of the conservative votes are coming from people older than 50-years-old. Younger generations are living in difficult times and are the ones who will make the change happen. I’m really concerned that PP will stay. Education and public health will be in serious danger if a conservative party governs. | I hope Podemos will get more seats next time and that the younger generations will help to make this happen. Most of the conservative votes are coming from people older than 50-years-old. Younger generations are living in difficult times and are the ones who will make the change happen. I’m really concerned that PP will stay. Education and public health will be in serious danger if a conservative party governs. |
| Sara Gozalo, 26, senior software engineer, Madrid | Sara Gozalo, 26, senior software engineer, Madrid |
| It’s difficult to foresee what will happen but I think that PP will end up in government | It’s difficult to foresee what will happen but I think that PP will end up in government |
| Too many people have still voted for PP - the same party which is full of corrupt politicians and has led Spain to the edge of disaster during the last four years. I voted for the left party IU. I’m happy, but the result could have been better. | Too many people have still voted for PP - the same party which is full of corrupt politicians and has led Spain to the edge of disaster during the last four years. I voted for the left party IU. I’m happy, but the result could have been better. |
| Conservatives are afraid of Podemos and other leftist parties but more progressive people are happy with the change in the way we do politics and make decisions. Taking into account all the different opinions and the new emergent parties, it’s good to be moving on from when everything was imposed against the population in order to favour the interests of a few high classes (bank managers, politicians, and the Troika in Europe). At least now there is a need to reach a consensus among very different ideologies and political trends. | Conservatives are afraid of Podemos and other leftist parties but more progressive people are happy with the change in the way we do politics and make decisions. Taking into account all the different opinions and the new emergent parties, it’s good to be moving on from when everything was imposed against the population in order to favour the interests of a few high classes (bank managers, politicians, and the Troika in Europe). At least now there is a need to reach a consensus among very different ideologies and political trends. |
| It’s difficult to foresee what will happen but I think that PP will end up in government and will have to negotiate some of the laws that they want to enforce. There will therefore be more real democracy than before, but everything will depend on the calibre of the other politicians and on whether they keep their promises. | It’s difficult to foresee what will happen but I think that PP will end up in government and will have to negotiate some of the laws that they want to enforce. There will therefore be more real democracy than before, but everything will depend on the calibre of the other politicians and on whether they keep their promises. |
| Sara, Alicante | Sara, Alicante |
| If PSOE and Podemos join together it will be a disaster | If PSOE and Podemos join together it will be a disaster |
| I voted for PP and am unhappy with the result. Podemos is not a real party. Ciudadanos is not ready for goverment. They are taking advantage of the disillusion of voters. People are losing their jobs and social services are worse than they’ve ever been in the last two decades. Everybody is thinking about corruption. Young people don’t see a future and old people are afraid of losing their pensions. If PSOE and Podemos join together it will be a disaster. | I voted for PP and am unhappy with the result. Podemos is not a real party. Ciudadanos is not ready for goverment. They are taking advantage of the disillusion of voters. People are losing their jobs and social services are worse than they’ve ever been in the last two decades. Everybody is thinking about corruption. Young people don’t see a future and old people are afraid of losing their pensions. If PSOE and Podemos join together it will be a disaster. |
| Jose Manuel, 53, engineer, Madrid | Jose Manuel, 53, engineer, Madrid |
| We need to close the post-Franco regime and open up a new era | We need to close the post-Franco regime and open up a new era |
| Overall, I am happy with the results. I voted for En Marea (Galician coalition between Anova, Esquerda Unida and Podemos). The newly elected parliament will be more diverse and more interesting with new MPs who have a lot to offer. We need to close the post-Franco regime and open up a new era in which real democracy, transparency, accountability, cultural diversity and people (not profit) are the backbone of this new term. |As a Galician, I’m pleased that the left-wing Galician coalition managed to obtain their own parliamentary group. On the other hand, it is depressing that after four years of cutbacks, corruption and incompetence, the PP remains the most voted party. | Overall, I am happy with the results. I voted for En Marea (Galician coalition between Anova, Esquerda Unida and Podemos). The newly elected parliament will be more diverse and more interesting with new MPs who have a lot to offer. We need to close the post-Franco regime and open up a new era in which real democracy, transparency, accountability, cultural diversity and people (not profit) are the backbone of this new term. |As a Galician, I’m pleased that the left-wing Galician coalition managed to obtain their own parliamentary group. On the other hand, it is depressing that after four years of cutbacks, corruption and incompetence, the PP remains the most voted party. |
| I’m worried about having new elections but if that doesn’t happen I predict a more plural debate in parliament | I’m worried about having new elections but if that doesn’t happen I predict a more plural debate in parliament |
| I feel a hope and a certain degree of nervousness. Every move, every comment is scrutinised as people want to see how things will pan out. We are in uncharted waters and nobody knows for certain what is going to happen. | I feel a hope and a certain degree of nervousness. Every move, every comment is scrutinised as people want to see how things will pan out. We are in uncharted waters and nobody knows for certain what is going to happen. |
| Things look uncertain right now, although a scenario with new elections in the near future may be quite likely, particularly if the Socialists are unable to make some concessions on some issues such as the Catalan referendum and the electoral reform. A PP and Socialist party coalition or the Socialists abstaining to help the PP would be, in my opinion, a disaster for the Socialists and it would open an internal crisis that would in turn benefit Podemos. It is also unlikely that Rajoy will continue as PM, The PP will probably present a new candidate and try to break a deal with other parties. | Things look uncertain right now, although a scenario with new elections in the near future may be quite likely, particularly if the Socialists are unable to make some concessions on some issues such as the Catalan referendum and the electoral reform. A PP and Socialist party coalition or the Socialists abstaining to help the PP would be, in my opinion, a disaster for the Socialists and it would open an internal crisis that would in turn benefit Podemos. It is also unlikely that Rajoy will continue as PM, The PP will probably present a new candidate and try to break a deal with other parties. |
| Regardless of the outcome of the talks, the new parliament will reflect the current mood of society which reclaims, basically, more decency and a better and fairer democratic system. My major concern is an eventual new election that may strengthen the PP lead. | Regardless of the outcome of the talks, the new parliament will reflect the current mood of society which reclaims, basically, more decency and a better and fairer democratic system. My major concern is an eventual new election that may strengthen the PP lead. |
| Loia, teacher, Santiago de Compostela | Loia, teacher, Santiago de Compostela |
| Spain does not have a lot of room to manouevre | Spain does not have a lot of room to manouevre |
| It’s refreshing to see new parties on the scene but the left-right split in Spain is as sharp as ever. There seems to be very little chance that either side will be able to form a stable government. I voted PSOE and even though I’m not happy with the result many of my friends think this is the worst possible outcome. I’m uncertain and worried. I hope PSOE will form a coalition with Podemos and Ciudadanos. | It’s refreshing to see new parties on the scene but the left-right split in Spain is as sharp as ever. There seems to be very little chance that either side will be able to form a stable government. I voted PSOE and even though I’m not happy with the result many of my friends think this is the worst possible outcome. I’m uncertain and worried. I hope PSOE will form a coalition with Podemos and Ciudadanos. |
| Spain does not have a lot of room to manouevre. Unemployment must be tackled but nobody has a good solution. Work contracts should be equalised and the burden on the self-employed should be lifted. If Spain does not have a stable government there could be problems with the financial market in the future. | Spain does not have a lot of room to manouevre. Unemployment must be tackled but nobody has a good solution. Work contracts should be equalised and the burden on the self-employed should be lifted. If Spain does not have a stable government there could be problems with the financial market in the future. |
| Stephen, Pontevedra | Stephen, Pontevedra |
| The future needs a change but a moderate one | The future needs a change but a moderate one |
| I voted for Ciudadanos and am not happy with the result. You can’t be happy if you feel afraid and don’t know what will happen in the future. Though I think we will end up having another election. I think Podemos lies about what they will do. The future needs a change but a moderate one. | I voted for Ciudadanos and am not happy with the result. You can’t be happy if you feel afraid and don’t know what will happen in the future. Though I think we will end up having another election. I think Podemos lies about what they will do. The future needs a change but a moderate one. |
| Anonymous, Zaragoza | Anonymous, Zaragoza |
| There’s a feeling of impossible agreement | There’s a feeling of impossible agreement |
| I’m a Basque nationalist and voted for EAJ-PNV. I see the result as a chance to reach greater autonomy, or even a referendum in Catalonia, as the most likely option is, in my opinion, a PSOE, Podemos, UP/IU and regionalists coalition. However, it would mean a huge step for the Socialists and I’m afraid they might not be willing to take that step. Anyway, the small groups will have a lot to say during the following year. | I’m a Basque nationalist and voted for EAJ-PNV. I see the result as a chance to reach greater autonomy, or even a referendum in Catalonia, as the most likely option is, in my opinion, a PSOE, Podemos, UP/IU and regionalists coalition. However, it would mean a huge step for the Socialists and I’m afraid they might not be willing to take that step. Anyway, the small groups will have a lot to say during the following year. |
| There’s a feeling of impossible agreement. PP was the winner, but with a huge loss, and it seems that no one (except Ciudadanos) wants a conservative government again. On the other hand, PSOE had the worst result since democracy started, but Podemos still wasn’t able to beat it. Podemos was happy with the result, they sell it as an end of the two-party system, but the reality is that PP and PSOE still have a majority. Anyway, the result is seen as a success in the Basque country and Catalonia with the promise now of a referendum. Ciudadanos was the biggest loser. The nationalist parties have increased their influence, although some of them encountered noteworthy losses, like Amaiur/EH Bildu, who lost 5 seats which gives the Basque nationalist voice to the moderate EAJ-PNV. | There’s a feeling of impossible agreement. PP was the winner, but with a huge loss, and it seems that no one (except Ciudadanos) wants a conservative government again. On the other hand, PSOE had the worst result since democracy started, but Podemos still wasn’t able to beat it. Podemos was happy with the result, they sell it as an end of the two-party system, but the reality is that PP and PSOE still have a majority. Anyway, the result is seen as a success in the Basque country and Catalonia with the promise now of a referendum. Ciudadanos was the biggest loser. The nationalist parties have increased their influence, although some of them encountered noteworthy losses, like Amaiur/EH Bildu, who lost 5 seats which gives the Basque nationalist voice to the moderate EAJ-PNV. |
| If no one compromises some of their ideas, like Podemos and their revindication of a plurinational state, the most likely option will be a new set of elections. A PP and PSOE coalition seems highly unlikely, but the press already says that the European Union and the establishment will pressure PSOE to accept it rather than allow a new turn. | If no one compromises some of their ideas, like Podemos and their revindication of a plurinational state, the most likely option will be a new set of elections. A PP and PSOE coalition seems highly unlikely, but the press already says that the European Union and the establishment will pressure PSOE to accept it rather than allow a new turn. |
| I’m worried about having new elections but if that doesn’t happen I predict a more plural debate in parliament, which is very positive in my opinion. As a Basque nationalist I think it will be positive for us because we could ask for new powers like social security, pensions and an integral autonomous police force, in exchange for parliamentary support. Nevertheless, the main left and right forces won’t be able to reach a majority on their own which affirms the desire for change in Spain. | I’m worried about having new elections but if that doesn’t happen I predict a more plural debate in parliament, which is very positive in my opinion. As a Basque nationalist I think it will be positive for us because we could ask for new powers like social security, pensions and an integral autonomous police force, in exchange for parliamentary support. Nevertheless, the main left and right forces won’t be able to reach a majority on their own which affirms the desire for change in Spain. |
| Jel, Bilbao | Jel, Bilbao |
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